Resources for the TLM
To assist those attending the Traditional Latin Mass, below are several resources to help learn your faith and follow the Mass and liturgical calendar of 1962.
“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.”
— Pope Benedict XVI’s Moto Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, 2007.
Recommendations for Newcomers to the TLM
If you are new to the Traditional Latin Mass, welcome! Attending your first TLM can be an occasion of great excitement, but may also seem daunting. Don't worry – there is a path through the unfamiliarity!
We highly recommend the Simple Approach: the best way to learn the Traditional Latin Mass is to just start going.
Get started by watching this brief, 3-minute Intro.
Commonly Asked Questions
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The Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) — also known as the Usus Antiquior or Mass of St. Pius V — is the liturgy codified in 1570 by Pope St. Pius V after the Council of Trent. It is celebrated entirely in Latin, ad orientem (priest and people facing God together), with Gregorian chant, kneeling Communion on the tongue, and the unchanged Roman Canon used for over 1,400 years.
The Novus Ordo Missae (New Order of Mass) was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 following Vatican II. It is typically celebrated in the vernacular, versus populum (priest facing the people), with modern music, Communion in the hand, and a revised liturgical calendar and prayers.
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No! Easy-to-use booklets are commonly provided for you to borrow for the duration of Mass. These red booklets have the words in Latin on the left and in English on the right. They also include illustrations to help you follow the movements of the Mass, as well as brief explanations about the parts of the Mass.
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No. While many cradle Catholics cherish its familiarity, young families, converts, and seminarians are among its fastest-growing supporters. Surveys show the average TLM attendee is under 40 and often has 3+ children. The future of the Church is being formed in the ancient rite.
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Men: Collared shirt, dress pants, optional jacket
Women: Dresses or skirts below the knee, shoulders covered, chapel veil or mantilla heavily encouraged
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Women traditionally were required under canon law to cover their heads during Mass. While this tradition fell out of practice after Vatican II, it is still appropriate for women to veil their heads. Many women view it as a way to give honor to God present in the Holy Eucharist, and also as an act of humility.
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Follow the cues from those around you or the altar servers. Generally: stand for the entrance and Gospel, kneel for the Consecration (when the host and wine become Christ's Body and Blood), and sit for readings. A simple guide: the congregation mirrors the priest's posture. Don't worry if you're off—its a learning process.
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Absolutely — and they often thrive in its structure and beauty. The TLM teaches reverence, silence, and awe from a young age. As Pope St. Pius X encouraged: “Give me souls, especially the souls of children.” Many families report improved behavior and deeper faith formation.
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Learn More About the TLM & Traditional Catholicism
Tips For Attending Your First Latin Mass
While at first glance the Extraordinary Form of the Mass may seem very different from the Mass you are used to attending, it is helpful to realize they each have a similar structure. Mass begins with prayers, moves through the readings (or lessons), the Gospel, the liturgy of the Eucharist, reception of Holy Communion, and closing prayers with a blessing.
Don’t worry if you can’t “keep up” with what the priest is saying, or you can’t find the right page of your missal or booklet. It may take a few times before things start to feel comfortable and you become familiar with the flow of the Mass. If you get lost, just keep giving thanks to Jesus for His sacrifice and prepare your soul to receive Him in Holy Communion.
The readings (lessons) and the Gospel are first read in Latin, and then repeated again in English before the priest begins his homily.
The daily readings and certain prayers are not included in the red Mass booklets. If you decide to come to the Latin Mass on a regular basis, you will probably want to buy a full Latin Missal, which has all the readings and prayers for any Mass you might attend.
To receive Holy Communion, approach the altar and kneel at the next empty spot at the altar rail. The priest will place the sacred Host on your tongue while saying the words, “Corpus Dómini nostri Jesu Christi custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam æternam. Amen.” (May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen.).
