Do we need a missal?

While the Mass is said in Latin, the faithful can understand the Mass by using the Missal, which displays both Latin and English text. With the Traditional Latin Mass missal, we can follow and understand the authentically Catholic Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with great devotion and awe. We can follow the Low Mass where it is mostly silent or the Sung/High Mass where it is sung in Latin. With the missal, we can wholly appreciate the mystery and fruitfulness of the Mass that we have received from Our Lord.

Types of Missals

Traditional Latin Mass missals are not the same as modern missals. So do not buy a modern missal if you intend to use it for the TLM. ​Here are some of the traditional missal you can use for the TLM:

- St Andrew Daily Missal 1945

- Roman Catholic Daily Missal 1962

- St. Joseph Daily Missal 1953

- The New Roman Missal Father Lasance 1945​ (Recommended by Dr. Taylor Marshall)

The three main parts to using the Traditional Missal

The Ordinary of the Mass (Found approximately in the middle of the Missal)

These are the main texts of the Roman Rite of the Mass from start to finish. Within the Ordinary, there are a few times where it refers you to the different sections of the Proper of the Mass and then goes back to the Ordinary to continue on with the Mass. ​

The Proper of the Mass (Found in the first half of the Missal for important events, and the second half of the missal for feasts of saints.)

These are parts of the Mass that are referred to according to the liturgical calendar (each date is different). These include feasts of saints and other important events. The Proper of the Mass can be referred to by using the current date of the Mass in the liturgical calendar in front of the Missal; or by the feast of saints and other important events in the index at the back of the missal. The easiest way to find the "Proper of the Mass" for the current date, is by searching it online and/or by using Traditional Proper Mass apps and then finding that feast day or other important event in the index of the missal. This can also be found by checking the church Sunday bulletin. On weekdays the priest will tend to announce the feast that will be celebrated just before the start of Mass.

Note: Missing Proper of the Mass - Depending on which missal you have, some of the older published missals will not have the latest proper for the newer feast of saints or other important events (likely one of two only). So don't be concerned you can't find it. Just find it online and read it the night before Mass.

The Preface (Found approximately in the middle of the Missal after the Ordinary.)

Within the Proper of the Mass, it will refer you to use which Preface of the Mass (depending on the season of the liturgical calendar) and then go back to Ordinary to continue on with the Mass.

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Colour Ribbons of the Missal

What are they used for? The ribbons are used to bookmark the sections of the missal you intend to use. The main ones would be for the Ordinary, the Proper, and the Preface. Select any ribbon colours to associate with the sections you like to bookmark. This will help you keep track of the pages as you go along within each section and also switch back and forth between the sections, following the Mass from start to end.

Missal Care

- The missal ribbons will tend to fall apart at their ends. A good way to prevent this is to dip each ribbon end into melted candle wax.

- Purchase a cover for your missal to protect the missal from wear and tear.