My first Anglican-use Mass

[jwinch2]

My wife and I were staying with family over the weekend and, since we had the opportunity, we decided to attend Mass at an Anglican-Use parish in the area. I had been interested in attending for some time and was very much looking forward to it.

Some observations:
(1) The parish we went to was very small, probably less than 300 people in the building. Approx.1/3 to 1/2 of the parishioners attending were children, most very young. However, even with all of those kids, distractions were at a minimum.
(2) The Mass was much longer than others I have been to. Of course, there was a visiting priest and there was Benediction following for the solemnity of Corpus Christi, so that probably played a role in lengthening things. However, even without those things, the Mass would have been significantly longer than what we are used to. We didn't mind, but we were surprised when we left and checked our watches.
(3) The music was glorious. I love English hymns and the music we heard today did not disappoint.
(4) Things were needlessly confusing. At the Mass, because the new translation of the Roman Missal does not seem to have been turned into the Book of Divine Worship as of yet, we had to use about four different booklets and handouts. This made things very difficult to follow along and understand what was happening.
(5) Communion was fantastic. As with the EF of the Mass, Communion was taken while kneeling and on the tongue. However, unlike the EF of the Mass, the precious blood was still offered. When the priest gave the host, the deacon followed with the chalice carrying the blood. Frankly, I felt that this was the best of both worlds and I see no reason that it cannot be incorporated into other forms of the Mass.


Overall, it was a great experience and if I lived in a place where an Anglican Use parish existed, I would strongly consider attending more often.


Peace,

[7 Sorrows]

glad that you had an overall good experience. i look forward to my first Anglican-use Mass whenever that may be.
it will be interesting to see if it all will be successful and continue to grow around the country. currently, where i live, we have no Anglican-use Mass.

i don't know when the Book of Divine Worship with the new translation will be available, but i would like to own one. i was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal church and was in an Anglican church 6 months before i became Catholic. i always like my Book of Common Prayer and now that the Pope has approved the Anglican-use Masses, i would like to own one of their prayer books. as of yet, i have not purchased a new Roman Missal because i haven't had the money.

[NorthTexan88]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have a few around here in north Texas but I have yet to be to one. The Anglican (Anglo-Catholics) were my Segway into becoming catholic and I love the liturgy!

[TrueLight]

Originally Posted by jwinch2

(3) The music was glorious. I love English hymns and the music we heard today did not disappoint.

I'm jealous!