Mass in Italy
An Italian Mass
A wonderful part of traveling is that you get to have so many amazing and unique experiences that you would not have at home. While you are traveling aboard in Rome, you will probably notice that many things will be done differently than you are used to. One of these will include how Mass is celebrated.
Ad Orientem
In the United States, the priest often celebrates Mass looking out at the congregation, face-to-face. However, up until the time of Vatican II (1962-1965), it was regular for priests to celebrate Mass ad orientem, or “to the East”, facing the same direction as the congregation instead of face-to-face. Churches were therefore built for centuries to accommodate that practice, without availability for a priest to stand at the altar such that he faced the congregation. Since many churches in Italy and across Europe are centuries old, sometimes far older than the foundations of our own Nation, we will encounter these altars frequently throughout our time abroad. Thus depending on what type of altar is available, priests on our pilgrimage will simply celebrate according to the space.
Latin Mass Parts
The language of the Church to this day is Latin (although you’ll hear plenty of Italian, German, English, French, and Spanish if you’re at the Vatican!). As such, it’s still common to hear Latin Mass parts sung at daily and Sunday Masses, whether in the United States, Brazil, Germany, Vietnam, etc. In Italy, and especially Rome, the practice is yet more common. So, as the saying goes: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do!”
For Mass at the Churches in the Vatican and elsewhere, we will be singing the Mass parts in Latin. Thus “Holy, Holy, Holy”, the Memorial Acclamation, the “Our Father", and the “Lamb of God” will all be sung in Latin. To help you prepare, we’ve included some videos below! Of course, we will have the words for you printed in your pilgrimage booklets (along with many more familiar, English favorites!)