One of the most helpful tools for praying the traditional Mass is the hand missal — a book that contains the prayers of the Mass with the Latin and English printed side by side. With a missal in hand, you can follow along completely, even if you do not know a word of Latin.
What a missal contains
A good hand missal includes two things: the Ordinary of the Mass (the parts that stay the same every day) and the Propers (the parts that change with each day and feast — the Introit, Gradual, and so on). Many missals also contain prayers before and after Mass, devotions, and explanations of the ceremonies.
A simple way to begin
- Find the date. Before Mass, look up the day in the calendar at the front and turn to the proper for that day (the ribbons help you hold your place).
- Keep one finger in the Ordinary and one in the Propers, since the Mass moves between them.
- Read the English to follow the meaning; glance at the Latin to hear what is being prayed.
- Don’t worry about keeping up perfectly. If you lose your place, simply rest in prayer and rejoin at the next clear moment — the Sanctus, the Consecration, the Pater Noster.
It gets easier — quickly
The first few times, following along may feel like learning a new dance. Within a few weeks, the shape of the Mass becomes familiar, the ribbons fall into place almost by habit, and you find yourself praying rather than searching. Many of the faithful eventually need the missal less and less, having taken the prayers into their hearts.
Or simply pray
A gentle reminder: the missal is a help, not a requirement. There is nothing wrong with setting it aside and simply uniting your heart to the Holy Sacrifice, watching the altar and praying in your own words. Use the missal as it serves your prayer, and no more. Most of our Mass locations keep missals you may borrow — just ask at the door. See also Attending the Traditional Mass for the First Time.