The Catholic Cricket

I’m quite looking forward to the new, more accurate, translation of the Novus Ordo Mass into English (unlike some people). Having looked at the Latin years ago, even my untrained eye could see deviations (“et cum spiritu tuo” is not “and also with you”). Yes, it’s going to be awkward. But I’m sure things were awkward 40 years ago when the Novus Ordo was implemented. Just like it’s awkward when a priest ad libs parts of the Mass.

By the way, “awkward” is, appropriately, awkward to type, and looks…well…awkward. Seriously. Look at it.

Anyhow, that, along with Fr. Z’s post sharing a reader’s first experience, got me to thinking about the TLM (or Extraordinary Form), and my first experience with it. It was less than ideal for multiple reasons.

1. We were late.
2. We weren’t really prepared.
3. I was expecting High Mass and it was Low Mass.
4. We had 6 children with us, including the youngest who knocked her head on a pew.

To answer my own list:

1. Nothing new (but getting better). We’re working on this weekly.
2. How can one be prepared beyond intending to worship God?
3. Mass is Mass, NO or EF, High or Low.
4. Kids benefit from coming to Mass.

The one thing I will say is that the children definitely complicated getting an understanding of the EF. I think I might go again sometime soon (I think there are a couple in the area), but without the children. I certainly can’t explain to them what the Priest is doing and why if I don’t know, and I can’t know/understand the Mass until I actually go.

Having a list like this lining up the parts of the EF with the familiar NO will help greatly, as will having a Missal.

One last thought: When do we change the name? “Novus Ordo” means “new order”. Shouldn’t there be some other term? I think from now on I’ll just use “OF” for “Ordinary Form”.

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