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Question
Hello Father,
I had no idea there were so many different Catholic masses until I cam across a list.
I was wondering what they are and what the differences are between them. I'm also considering attending a different church and maybe, depending on what they are, a different type of mass.
These are the masses I came across:
~Normal Sunday mass
~Latin Novus Ordo
~Tridentine
~Traditional Latin Mass
~Eastern Liturgies
~Charismatic
~Modern
Thank you for any help,
Amber
Hi, Amber:
Thanks for the question.
Where did you come across a particular "list" as you describe?
Essentially speaking there is only ONE Eucharistic Sacrifice, the MASS; however, there are differences in how it developed in certain parts of the One Catholic Church Tradition.
In actuality, there are only 2 basic "rites" of Mass that you list:
Western Latin Catholic Roman Rite Masses which are:
1. Normal Sunday Mass (as you call it)
2. Latin Novus Ordo
3. Tridentine
4. Traditional Latin Mass
And Eastern Liturgies, which include a number of "rites" of the Catholic Eucharistic Sacrifice that developed in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. These are usually split between "Oriental Rites" and "Eastern Rites."
- There is no technical designation among the families of "rites" properly speaking that are charismatic or modern.
That which you call "Normal Sunday Mass" is merely the Latin Novus Ordo (now called the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite by Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum) translated into English.
And that which you call the "Tridentine" Mass and "Traditional Latin" Mass is what Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio designates as the "Extraordinary Form" of the Roman Rite. It is celebrated in Latin, and uses the Roman Missal as published in an older usage as of 1962.
I hope this helps.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Related Articles
- Summorum Pontificum - Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum - Concerning the Traditional Latin Mass
- Differences Between the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo - Comparing the Old and New Mass
- Novus Ordo Missae - Definition of the Novus Ordo Missae
- The Latin Mass - The Tridentine Latin Mass - What Is the Tridentine Latin Mass
- Novus Ordo - Definition of the Novus Ordo
Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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