How to Celebrate the Latin Mass
Although the Roman Catholic Church declared that Mass no longer needed to be celebrated in Latin during Vatican II, a minority of Catholics preferred it as an "Extraordinary Form," and it has been offered as an alternative to the vernacular mass. The acceptible form of the Latin liturgy is called the Tridentine Mass. Since Pope Benedict XVI made it easier to offer the Tridentine Mass in 2007, it has become a popular experience for younger Catholics who are likely unfamiliar with how it is celebrated.
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Instructions
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Find a church that offers the Tridentine Mass. Some churches offer it on a daily or weekly basis, while others celebrate it less often or for special occasions. There are several websites that provide guides to when and where the Tridentine Mass is celebrated.
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Dress appropriately. Compared to contemporary vernacular Mass, the Tridentine Mass encouraged parishioners to arrive in modest attire. This means no shorts or short sleeves for men, and loose-fitting, feminine clothing for women whenever possible. While not mandatory, women are encouraged to wear veils similar to those worn for First Communion.
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Arrive early to familiarize yourself with the missal or guide to the mass. Do not hesitate to ask someone for a missal and for help about how to use them. Often a church will have two or three books or pamphlets near the pews to guide through the structure of the Mass, the weekly readings and celebrations and the songs. Tridentine missals usually have the Latin on the left page with translations on the right page.
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Sit quietly before the Mass begins. The missal will have written instructions or symbols instructing when to sit, stand or kneel. Don't be embarrassed to watch others, as these postures change more rapidly than in the vernacular Mass.
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Do not feel expected to sing. Most singing of the Tridentine Mass was relegated to the choir, priests and deacons, so the people in the pews remain relatively silent. Most of the Tridentine Mass is made of the priest saying prayers inaudibly toward the altar, so much of celebrating the Mass as a parishioner depends on reading along in the missal.
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Stand in line during communion as normal, but watch for an opening at the communion rail. When there is an opening after someone else has received communion, take their place by kneeling with your hands under the rail. Receive the host on your tongue, bow your head for a moment, then return to your pew.
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Exit the sanctuary quietly after the service is ended, as it is more typical for people to remain in their pews for private prayer after the Tridentine Mass. However, socializing in other areas of the church is generally encouraged.
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Tips & Warnings
Note that while the Pater Noster is part of the Tridentine Mass, the vernacular practice of everyone reciting the Lord's Prayer while holding hands is omitted.
If you are not familiar with Latin, it is helpful to study as much of the Mass as possible prior to attending. Try to memorize the most common responses. When the priest says "Dominus tecum" (the Lord be with you), your response is "Et cum spirituo tuo." Pronounced "ate coom spirit-woh too-oh", this is equivalent to saying "and also with you." Other common responses are "deo gratias" (day-o grah-see-us, "thanks be to God") and "Gloria tibi, domine" (glo-ree-ah tee-bee, doe-mee-nay, "Glory to you, Lord")
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