‘Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind’s eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption‘ St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
INTRODUCTION
It is the Mass used in the Catholic Church for almost 1500 years. It is called the Tridentine Mass (is often called the Traditional Latin Mass or the Forma extraordinaria – Extraordinary Form) because it was codified by the Council of Trent in the 16th century. However, the Holy Mass itself is far older.
There is two division of the Holy Mass:
The ‘Mass of the Catechumens’ has for its origin that Christians would bring with them pagans or Jews who wanted to be Catholics. Catechumens is a Greek word meaning ‘converts under instruction’. The Catechumens were allowed to attend the first division of the Holy Mass. However, before the sacrifice itself began the cathechumens had to leave the first part of the Holy Mass (up to the Offertory).
The actual sacrifice was reserved for the Faithful and this is why the second division is called the ‘Mass of the Faithful’ (from the Offertory) the renewal of the sacrificial banquet of the Last Supper and this was for only baptised Christians – the full members of the Church.
MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
PREPARATORY PRAYERS
INTROIBO AD ALTARE DEI (THE PRAYERS AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR)
CONFITEOR (THE GENERAL CONFESSION OF SINS)
THE PRIEST GOES UP TO THE HOLY ALTAR
PRAYERS AND READINGS
INTROIT (THE MARK OF THE BEGINNING)
THE KYRIE ELEISON (THE MERCY)
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (THE GLORY OF GOD)
THE COLLECT (MADE ONE IN THE LORD)
THE EPISTLE (THE READING IN GOD’S NAME)
GRADUAL – ALLELUIA – TRACT (AN INTERVAL OF PREPARATION)
MUNDA COR MEAN (CLEANSE MY HEART)
THE GOSPEL (THE WORD OF GOD)
THE CREDO (THE CANON OF OUR FAITH)
MASS OF THE FAITHFUL
PREPARATION OF THE SACRIFICE
THE OFFERTORY (PRAYERS AT THE OFFERING)
LAVABO (THE WASHING OF THE CELEBRANT’S HANDS)
SUSCIPE SANCTA TRINITAS (PRAYER TO THE HOLY TRINITY)
THE SECRET (THE SECRET PRAYERS)
CONSUMMATION OF THE SACRIFICE
THE PREFACE (THE PROLOGUE TO THE GREAT THANKSGIVING)
SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS (THE THREE FOLD ACCLAMATION OF THE ALL HOLY)
TE IGITUR – MEMENTO – COMMUNICANTES (THE CHURCH AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS)
THE CONSECRATION (TRANSUBSTANTIATION)
THE SUPPLICES
MEMENTO OF THE DEAD (THE COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD)
NOBIS QUOQUE PECCATORIBUS (THE CHURCH MILITANT)
FINAL DOXOLOGY AND MINOR ELEVATION
