DowtyCamino
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May-Jn2014
May-Jn 2017
VF Jl-O 2021
Mar-My 2023
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Perhaps an odd question, but is there any kind of primer for a Spanish Mass. Last camino we attended mass on several occasions but, to be honest, having only a limited Spanish vocabulary and being Protestant and unable to participate in the Eucharist, the services were too "foreign" to be very meaningful.
I understand that a lot of ritual in the church has significance and I feel it would be more meaningful if we had a basic understanding of the service. If no such primer exists, perhaps someone would volunteer a brief explanation of the order of the service.
I am a Catholic priest......but er, I am not writing infallibly here!Nor comprehensively, nor dogmatically. Mass in Spain very much the same as Mass in English.
The parts of the Mass, essentially are
1. Introduction Sign of the Cross, and greeting by priest, followed by penitential rite, which may include or lead to the "Kyrie" /Lord Have Mercy. In Spanish Señor ten piedad/Cristo ten piedad/Senor ten piedad, repeated in dialogue by priest and people. On Sundays and some feast days there will then be the Gloria. (Everyone will join in.)
2.The first major part of the Mass follows, the Liturgy of the Word. It is the same the world over, with the same readings, essentially used everywhere, though there can be some local variation for feast days. Everyone will sit down at this point if not already sitting.
There will be a first reading - can be either a NT letter, or Apocalypse, or in the six weeks after Easter always the Acts of the Apostles, or it can be from the OT.
This is followed by a psalm, to which the people respond between each verse.
On Sundays and major feast days only there will be a second reading here - in which case the first reading will be OT and the second reading NT.
There is then a brief Alleluia verse.
Then the Gospel. Everyone in the church will stand for this.
There may be a sermon delivered by the priest after this.
On Sunday there will then be the Profession of Faith/ Credo/I believe in God/ Creo en un solo Dios
There may or not be some prayers/intercessions here to which the people will respond, but let's keep it simple.
3. We then move to the second major part, the Liturgy of the Eucharist. You will see the priest preparing bread and wine, and washing his hands, leading to the Sanctus/Holy, holy, holy/Santo, Santo, Santo. (Everyone will join in). In Spain people will either stand or kneel for this part of the Mass. The priest then moves to the Canon, the fixed prayers for the consecration of bread and wine. You will see the priest hold up the host and the chalice for the people to see. There are more prayers after this, leading to a common declaration of AMEN - the "great amen".
4. Then we have the Communion Rite. The people will stand, if they have been kneeling, and recite together with the priest the Our Father/ Padre nuestro. There are further prayers and the priest will then distribute communion. Just before this, the priest will say The Peace of the Lord be always with you La paz del Señor esté siempre con vosotros. There MAY be an exchange of greetings in the church at this point, a hug/handshake/or kiss. A handshake and a smile will never be misunderstood here! There is no need to say anything.
5. Thereafter there may be a period of silence and a few concluding prayers and a blessing, the concluding rite.
So a few landmarks.....
- At the beginning, after a few minutes everyone will sit: this marks the liturgy of the word. People will then stand for the Gospel.
- Then, with people sitting, you will see the priest prepare the offerings at the altar.
- Then you will see the priest raising separately the host and chalice. This is the central moment of the Mass, the consecration. People will be either kneeling or standing at this time.
- Shortly after this everyone will stand and recite together the Lord's Prayer. May exchange a sign of peace after this.
- This will be followed by the distribution of communion by the priest and/or lay ministers.
- Then some concluding prayers.
I don't want to complicate it any more, but ask any questions you wish.
As a general guide, get in a seat behind a "little old lady" and do what she does in terms of posture. And people will not mind if you stand, sit or kneel at the wrong time, even though you may feel everyone is looking at you. They won't be! If you want to sit throughout Mass, I don't think anyone would ever object. particularly if you look a bit dusty and tired.
This may help
https://www.misas.org/sta.tic/descarga/missa_es_en.pdf
There are lots of apps and sites which will give you the readings for the day and generally Spanish readings will be indentical to the English, if you want to read along. I have got past any embarrassment at being seen looking at my phone during Mass to follow the readings in far flung countries. And no one has ever objected!!!
Northern Laurie, the one thing to really be on the lookout for, particularly along the Camino Francés, is a pilgrim blessing after mass has ended. Often the local people will look around and motion you forward or you may see the priest looking around. Any pilgrim is welcome -- and encouraged -- to come forward for this blessing, regardless of your faith or lack of it. It seems many are aware of the blessings at Roncesvalles and in Santiago, but don't realize how often these take place in the various towns and villages. Or that the townspeople are praying for our safe journeys night after night.
Also, I like to recommend that any time you stop in a church, look around for the statue of Santiago. He's watching out for us, too!
Northern Laurie, the one thing to really be on the lookout for, particularly along the Camino Francés, is a pilgrim blessing after mass has ended. Often the local people will look around and motion you forward or you may see the priest looking around. Any pilgrim is welcome -- and encouraged -- to come forward for this blessing, regardless of your faith or lack of it. It seems many are aware of the blessings at Roncesvalles and in Santiago, but don't realize how often these take place in the various towns and villages. Or that the townspeople are praying for our safe journeys night after night.
Also, I like to recommend that any time you stop in a church, look around for the statue of Santiago. He's watching out for us, too!
I hope we can stop this from falling foul of the moderators!OK timr, since you've expanded the subject to 'lighting a candle' (thank you) can I ask a few other questions?
What other things (not necessarily connected with mass) a pilgrim might be able to participate in?
If one wanted a silent moment to meditate or pray, would the traditional place be a side chapel, or somewhere else?
Addressing a priest in Spain? Padre, Senior.
Traditional greetings and responses?
Other than "admire at the art and architecture", what else could one do in the many cathedrals and monasteries, etc, along the way to appreciate being there?
As long as the church doors are open, anyone can come in and sit or kneel for a few moments of private prayer or meditation. In the larger cathedrals which have side chapels, those are an excellent place to pray and meditate, even if there is a Mass in progress--just enter and leave in as discrete and quiet manner as possible to not distract from the Mass.OK timr, since you've expanded the subject to 'lighting a candle' (thank you) can I ask a few other questions?
What other things (not necessarily connected with mass) a pilgrim might be able to participate in?
If one wanted a silent moment to meditate or pray, would the traditional place be a side chapel, or somewhere else?
Addressing a priest in Spain? Padre, Senior.
Traditional greetings and responses?
Other than "admire at the art and architecture", what else could one do in the many cathedrals and monasteries, etc, along the way to appreciate being there?
For those that wish to have a reference for daily readings, order of the Mass, reflections on the daily readings, etc, and even digitized versions of the Bible, there is a free app called Laudate, which is available for iPhone and Android phones. Here's a link to the IOS version, and the Android version can be found on the Google Play Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/laudate-1-catholic-app/id499428207?mt=8
From the description on that link, it appears that versions of the app are available in several other languages. I'm confident that those of you who are native speakers of those languages will know how to find the version in your language.
I grew up in Chester.....Chester, VA USA though.@DowtyCamino Haha yes. Chester is near to my original home. I think I would enjoy mooching around an old church or two with you if we met up on the Camino. Windows and carvings exactly as you say, endlessly fascinating.
What a shame! I would have been, but I have to return to Liverpool, (near Chester), on 16th for a family commitment. Originally I was planning on a month in Spain. Just 12 days now...I grew up in Chester.....Chester, VA USA though.
If you're in Spain May 21 - Jun 28 perhaps we'll meet!
Perhaps an odd question, but is there any kind of primer for a Spanish Mass. Last camino we attended mass on several occasions but, to be honest, having only a limited Spanish vocabulary and being Protestant and unable to participate in the Eucharist, the services were too "foreign" to be very meaningful.
I understand that a lot of ritual in the church has significance and I feel it would be more meaningful if we had a basic understanding of the service. If no such primer exists, perhaps someone would volunteer a brief explanation of the order of the service.
OK timr, since you've expanded the subject to 'lighting a candle' (thank you) can I ask a few other questions?
What other things (not necessarily connected with mass) a pilgrim might be able to participate in?
If one wanted a silent moment to meditate or pray, would the traditional place be a side chapel, or somewhere else?
Addressing a priest in Spain? Padre, Senior.
Traditional greetings and responses?
Other than "admire at the art and architecture", what else could one do in the many cathedrals and monasteries, etc, along the way to appreciate being there?
Catholic, or Anglican/Episcopalian, or Lutheran (at least in the US) ... all follow the same flow as outlined above. The details of the prayers will vary somewhat, but the similarity of structure makes it easier to feel like you're oriented to what's going on.You could attend a Catholic Mass near your home...
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