Tridentine and Eastern Rites

[pax]

Has anybody ever attended a Mass celebrated according to the Tridentine Rite? If so, how close is it to the current Novus Ordo Mass?

Also if anybody has ever attended an Eastern Divine Liturgy, and how different from a Novus Ordo Mass?

 

[jukesk9]

Here's a link to the Tridentine (Latin) Mass:

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/latinmass2.html

And here's one for the Eastern Rite:

http://www.byzantines.net/liturgy/liturgy.htm

I, however, have never been to a Latin Mass nor one of the Eastern Rite (Divine Liturgy of St. John). I was born in 1971 so all my instruction has been Vatican II. Last year, my parish had a choir come in and sing Mass in Latin and it was absolutely beautiful. The most awesome Novus Ordo Mass I have been to was at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The Saturday Mass had an all female Choir that just was incredible and the atmosphere was just filled with God. I was really moved. Hope the links help.....

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by pax

Also if anybody has ever attended an Eastern Divine Liturgy, and how different from a Novus Ordo Mass?

The differences between the Divine Liturgy and the Pauline Mass (upon a cursory examination) are 1) no kneeling in the Divine Liturgy (a lot of standing), 2) almost the entire Divine Liturgy is sung or chanted, 3)i n the Divine Liturgy the Eucharist is given under both species together (in other words the bread is mixed in the wine and are given together on a golden spoon and dropped into ones mouth), 4) lots of incense in the Divine Liturgy, 5) the Nicene Creed does not have any mention of the Filoque (usually).

I've attended the Divine Liturgy as often as possible (which only amounts to a few dozen times) and it is extremely beautiful. I would highly recommend it if you have the chance to do so.

 

[SSPX]

Originally posted by pax
Has anybody ever attended a Mass celebrated according to the Tridentine Rite? If so, how close is it to the current Novus Ordo Mass?

Also if anybody has ever attended an Eastern Divine Liturgy, and how different from a Novus Ordo Mass?

I am familiar with both... I used to attend a byzantine rite parish for a year and a half, now I attend a chapel of the Society of St. Pius X, which celebrates only the Tridentine Mass.

The Byzantine liturgy is all sung, and there is always a lot of incense used. Every time the trinity is invoked the people make the sign of the cross. It is a very ornate liturgy, in my opinion. The byzantine rite, although it has been shortened, is still longer than both the novus ordo, and Tridentine Mass, and in a way I wish there was a little less singing. Its very beautiful though, and you should go to one some time.

The tridentine Mass is a very quiet Mass, in contrast, especially a low Mass, which has no chant or incense. The canon of the Mass (now called the eucharistic prayer) is said quietly by the priest, and the words of consecration are wispered. Like the Divine Liturgy the Tridentine Mass has only two readings, instead of three. Usually the laity don't say anything, only the altar boys answer the prayers. The tridentine Mass also emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the Mass. References to sacrifice were kept at a minimum in the Novus Ordo to make protestants happy. Again, its a good idea to visit one of these Masses if you can. It is a spiritually rich Mass.

One thing that I think separates both rites from the Novus Ordo is reverance. They are clearly God-centered rites, whereas at the Novus Ordo, one sometimes gets the impression that the worship of God is being replaced by the worship of man.


Joe