On Receiving Holy Communion and the other Sacraments
In the context of the new religion, which the New Mass and the New Sacraments express, everyone is expected and encouraged to receive Communion, no matter what. This may have been your experience at the diocesan churches.
Our practice here, however, is different. Catholic law and tradition emphasize the seriousness and the sanctity of the act of receiving the Holy Eucharist. While you are most welcome to assist at Mass with us whenever you wish, we trust that you will respect our requirements for Holy Communion.
- Non-Catholics are not permitted to receive Holy Communion.
- Others must speak with Father first, before going to Confession or to Holy Communion. Should you be a Catholic who is assisting at the traditional Mass for the first time(or for the first time in a long time), we ask that you do not come forward for Communion until you decide to assist at the traditional Latin Mass exclusively and to refrain from ever attending the New Mass of Pope Paul VI, even for funerals and weddings. This is a major decision to make and a difficult one for some. But since the New Mass and the New Sacraments do represent a new religion, this decision should absolutely precede your reception of Holy Communion here.
Our Dress Code
Since the changes in the Church, none of the Vatican II parishes these days enforce or even have a dress code. Here, however, we still believe that modest and appropriate attire at Mass is a sign of respect for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and of fraternal charity toward our neighbor. Therefore, please observe the following rules for clothing:
- Women and girls must have their heads covered. (Chapel veils or mantillas are available in the vestibule.)
- Women and girls must wear dresses or skirts that cover the knees when sitting or standing. No slacks or pant suits, please. Shorts, and sleeveless tops and dresses and revealing and tight fitting clothing are forbidden.
- Suggested dress for men: coat and tie, shirttail tucked in.
- Jeans and athletic shoes and other forms of casual dress are inappropriate for Sunday Mass and for Masses on Holy Days of Obligation. Please wear your “Sunday best” when you come here on these days.
A Respectful Silence
In many parish churches these days, it is considered acceptable to carry on conversations in church before or after Mass, or to make occasional comments to one’s neighbors during the course of the service.
Here, however, we request that you follow the custom of maintaining silence in church before, during and after Mass. It is a sign of reverence in the presence of God and demonstrates your spirit of consideration toward those who wish to pray in silence.