You Can Make the Mass More Reverent

You may have heard the term “reverent Novus Ordo” before. The term comes with the presumption that a Novus Ordo,  the mass that was formed as a result of the Second Vatican Council, is inherently irreverent. This simply is not the case. The Novus Order in it’s most unadulterated form can be hard to distinguish from a 1962 Extraordinary Form Mass (the Traditional Latin Mass). Sure, there are prayers that have been omitted from the Novus Ordo (Introit, Secret Prayer etc.) but the Novus Ordo, as intended by Saint Paul VI, is ad orientum (facing east), in Latin, and with all the other smells and bells. A well known parish in Chicago called St. John Cantius offers both the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo and you can see a comparison here. Both are edifying experiences for God and the ones offering their prayers to Him.

Unfortunately, there are many parishes that “come up short” of what St. John Cantius puts together. Many of us, myself included, do not live in Chicagoland and cannot attend a parish like that (I still love my parish and the mass the offer is beautiful). These “reverent Novus Ordos” are sadly unicorns here in the United States and Canada. Rest assured, the Novus Ordo is a valid and licit form of the mass! Even if there are questionable music choices, too many extraordinary ministers of the eucharist and interesting postures assumed by the priest, the mass you are going to is still valid.

The prayers you are placing at the altar and at the foot of the cross are being offered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and there is so much more you can do to make your personal experience a reverent one. It starts with what you do personally at mass and can culminate into something larger later on. Even if you already attend a “reverent Novus Ordo” or even a Traditional Latin Mass, you can do these things to make your sacrifice more edifying.

Pray before and after mass. Whether you do so before you leave your house or do so at the church before mass begins you should pray before mass. So many of us are in a rush on The Lord’s Day and often leave just the mass as our only offering to Him on that day. We can dedicate 5 mins before and after the mass to center ourselves and realize what we actually partake in. Personal missals, before the Second Vatican Council, provided prayers such as these for people to pray before and after the mass. These can be very helpful in making us remember our partaking in the greatest sacrifice of all time. It also became typical to pray 3 Hail Marys, a Hail Holy Queen, and the Prayer to Saint Michael after a low mass. You can also carry on this tradition.

Genuflect and Bow during the procession. When the priest, deacon and servers are processing up the aisle, chances are, there is a crucifix. It is traditional to genuflect and/or cross oneself as the crucifix passes by. It was also commonplace to bow to the priest and deacons. This is a great reminder of the priest’s role as Christ in the sacraments (in persona christe). As he performs the mass and other sacraments, Jesus is acting through the priest. What a beautiful miracle in and of itself!

Genuflect during the incarnation section of the Nicene Creed. To this day, it is still commonplace to bow during the words, “...and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man…” genuflecting was standard practice before the Second Vatican Council and is still a pious practice today. To genuflect (and bow for that matter) during those words is a reminder that God became man so that we might be saved.

Strike your breast. Most lay people who regularly attend the mass already strike their breast during the “through my fault/mea culpa” portion of the penitential rite.You can also do this during:

• The elevation of the host and the chalice (whisper “My Lord and My God” during these as well)
• The Lamb of God/Agnus Dei portions of the mass
• The “Lord I am not worthy” portion of the mass

Striking one’s breast is a symbol of one’s plea for mercy. It originates, in part, from the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. The Publican beat his chest and asked repeatedly to God for mercy, for he is a sinner. We too are sinners and should ask for mercy whenever possible. Especially when we prepare to receive the Eucharist

Kneel and receive the Blessed Sacrament on your tongue. We should all kneel before the King of Kings. To receive Him bodily is a humbling experience. We are not worthy to do so but Jesus has given us great mercy. We should receive on the tongue and not chew the Host if we are trying to make the mass as reverent as possible. This is no ordinary food afterall. I have seen some people also intentionally receive from a priest or a deacon rather than an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist.

Bow your head at the utterance of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. We shall not take the Lord’s Name in vain. Whenever we utter it, and whenever we hear it uttered it should be done with conviction that Christ is Lord. To bow one’s head is a gesture of humility and respect toward Jesus.

Follow the words in a missal. Missals are a great resource. Sometimes making the mass more reverent means following along with the words of the priest. There is a great missal produced by the Midwest Theological Forum that has the text of the Novus Ordo in Latin and English. You can check it out here. Even if the mass is in English, you may find following along in the Latin worthwhile.

Wear your Sunday best. This is a term that everybody seems to know but very few people actually practice. I myself have been guilty of wearing a t-shirt and shorts to mass on several occasions. I have tried to move away from such casual clothing and have moved toward at least the tourist dress code at the Vatican (covering shoulders and knees) Dress for the occasion. I do not feel right as a man suggesting this (my wife does not veil) but many women feel dignified in wearing a chapel veil or mantilla to mass. 

Talk to your parish council and your pastor. It won’t hurt to make suggestions to these groups to perhaps make different choices for hymns or invest in altar rails (where permitted) or to make confession available before mass. Real change can happen for the better and it can start with you.

At the end of the day, none of these things are necessary. These are all suggestions. You do not have to do any or all of these to make your mass a “reverent Novus Ordo.” What matters is that you approach the altar with fear of God and with faith. If something is distracting you from that. What is it? How can you fix that? I hope these tips are worthwhile and help you in making your sacrifice to God.