Resources for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass
(Traditional Latin Mass)

What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too,
and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden and even considered harmful.

Benedict XVI letter to Bishops July 7, 2007

NOTE: The first seven items below may be considered as a set for a "do it yourself" approach to learning the Traditional Latin Mass - without the expense of a Missale Romanum, and at a pace that fits your personal schedule.


Celebrant's Guide for the Traditional Latin Mass

- 48 numbered pages on 24 sides and 12 sheets of paper, plus a cover sheet.
Contains the Latin text of the Traditional Latin Low Mass (Missa Lecta) with abbreviated rubrics in English. These are presented in a side-by-side, easy-to-use format. Intended to provide a starting point for learning the Traditional Latin Mass. When duplex printed on its left (short) edge, spine stapled, and folded in half, it becomes a standard booklet size (5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches) portable study guide. The Guide refers to the three standard altar cards below, so consider printing the cards if you do not already have access to a set.

Celebrant's Card for "Prayers at the Foot of the Altar"

This card is provided in two formats: a letter size in 14pt font (to be duplexed), and a smaller booklet size in 9pt font (to be folded in half). Ideally, whichever format is preferred, it should be laminated for durability and used only until memory and confidence suffice to obsolete it.

Set of Altar Cards for the Traditional Latin Mass

- 2 pages (8.5 x 14 Legal), landscape, pdf: These can be produced (ideally using a color printer) on two sheets of legal paper, the right and left cards cut to size, and all three laminated, and / or framed. Pale yellow paper provides a more pleasing result and some find it easier to read.

Celebrant's Card for Incensing the Gifts & Altar

Since most Altar Cards do not conatain the incensing prayers, this card is provided to assist the Celebrant at the Offertory when incensing is to be done. It should be laminated for durability and used only until memory and confidence suffice to obsolete it.

Standard Conclusions to Prayers

- 1 page, portrait, pdf: This document explains the conclusions to prayers (Collects, Secrets, and Postcommunions) which are found only in abbreviated form at the end of prayers in the Missale Romanum itself. (The actual readings for any particular day may be found in both Latin and English on one of the "Propers" pages in the blue menu to the left.) These conclusions must be memorized by any priest who wants to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Vesting Prayers

- 1 page, portrait, pdf: The vesting prayers in Latin and English. Intended to be printed, laminated, framed, and posted in the sacristy.

Latin Mass Audio Tracks

- A menu of Latin audio tracks for the Missa Lecta and Requiem

Celebrant's Guide Cover Template

- 4 "pages" on 2 sides and 1 sheet of paper, in landscape orientation and .odt format: May be used as a template to create a custom cover for the Guide. (Consider 65-80 lb cardstock for this cover.)

Rubrics for the 1962 Roman Missal

- A link to the complete priest's instructions (Ritus Servandus) for the Mass of the 1962 Roman Missal, as translated by Fr. Dennis Duvelius for the Latin Liturgy Association.

Rituals beyond Low Mass

- 11 pages, portrait, pdf: Contains the rubrics for rituals like incensing in a High Mass (Missa Cantata), the Asperges me and Vidi aquam, and the Blessing of the Palms that occur before, during, or after Mass. Intended to provide a priest new to the Traditional Latin Mass with the English instructions for these rituals.

Nuptial Blessings Card

- 2 pages (duplexed to 1 sheet of paper), portrait, pdf: Contains the Blessings pronounced at the Nuptial Mass in an easy-to-use format that does not require a server to hold the Missale Romanum in front of the celebrant, but instead allows the celebrant to read them from the card in his hand. Ideally, it should be printed on 65lb cardstock or it should be laminated for durability.

Sample Plan for Implementing a Traditional Latin Mass

- 2 pages, portrait, pdf: An actual planning document for implementing a Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form). As such, it has both generic and location-specific tasks. Intended as a place to start evaluation of a potential project for a TLM.