The Tridentine Mass

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend a Tridentine Mass.  If you don't know what this is, it is the Mass, in Latin.  It is a bit more than that, really, but that isn't the point of this post.  The current Mass format was instituted shortly after the Vatican II council (and there have been a couple revisions since then).  We now have mass parts as well as the readings from the bible read in the native language of the people.  I want to briefly describe my experience as well as my thoughts on the Traditional Latin Mass (now called the "extraordinary form" of the Mass or the "Tridentine Mass")...

1. I didn't understand anything.  Well, that's not completely true.  I understood when the priest said "Kyrie..." and I did manage to pick up when the "Our Father" (Lord's Prayer) was happening.  Much of the goings on were able to be picked up by the actions of the priest.
2. Only the homily was in English.  It was a good homily too.  It was the pastor of St Joachim a few miles north of us in Madera.  I have been to that parish only one time in my life.  Interestingly enough, he brought up my one visit in the homily.  I attended the church to see a collection of relics (it was really cool).  Another event is happening there in a few weeks where they have an icon of Mary.  I think I need to attend...
3. There was quite a bit of "quite time."  There are many, many, points in the mass where the priest is saying prayers quietly to himself up at the front.  And, he is facing away from you.  It is easy to "zone out" while this is happening, intentionally or unintentionally.  As I was just trying to absorb all that was going on, I couldn't help but plan this post during the silence.  Hey, that is reflecting, isn't it?
4. There were lots of bells.  Bells are only rung twice during the Mass in English.  The bells were rung at least 15 times, maybe 20 during the Tridentine mass.  Maybe it is to wake the people up if they are sleeping? :)
5. The whole thing was obviously more reverent.  I am sure this had at least something to do with the population at the church as well.  Almost all of the women in attendance were wearing veils (as was the norm when this mass was the norm).  I am not sure how to describe the "feeling in the air" that was a much deeper respect than we typically see on Sunday morning.  Maybe it had something to do with... (on to number 6)
6. all of the kneeling.  If you think you need to be in shape for an English mass, you don't know the half of it.  There was a TON of stand-sit-kneel-stand-kneel-stand-kneel-stand-etc...  I would estimate that I was kneeling for almost a third of the mass.  It was probably less...  I think I was only sitting for the homily.  The rest was either standing or kneeling.
7. With the priest facing away, you couldn't tell what he was saying.  You were "out of the loop".
8. I wish I did know what he was saying, that way I could participate.  I have heard that many people in the past would go to mass and do things like "say the rosary" during all of the quite time.  There is plenty of time for personal prayer, or mind wandering moments.  I can see why people would do those things.  With the mass in English, we are much more likely to pay attention.
9. The chanted songs were beautiful.
10. Receiving communion at the communion rail was awesome.  Again, this goes back to the increased reverence.  Only on the tongue, not in the hand.  And, the altar server had the little "plate thing" just to catch the consecrated host if it fell.  I say again, increased reverence for what is going on and what exactly the Eucharist is.

All-in-all, I think the changes made to the current Mass format are good.  While I would be likely to learn Latin if I had to say a bunch of stuff in Latin every week, the general population at large isn't.  If the whole point is to bring souls to Christ, it is probably a good idea to talk to them in their native language.  And so now when you go to mass, you know exactly what the priest is saying, which is a good thing.  Though, if I had my say, I might bring back communion rails.  It took longer, but some things are worth the wait.  I know that I would be completely in the minority on this one.  With the added inefficiency, and a church full of a thousand people, Mass could easily take 2 hours.  Two hours spent in prayer, mind you.  That would be a good thing, right?  Well, not with my 4 kids with me.  It would probably be awful and I might just say over and over "Lord, please help me endure my blessings"...