Visitor Guidelines
We kindly ask all visitors to observe the following customs when attending divine worship. These time-honoured and respectful practices help maintain a prayerful atmosphere for the benefit of all.
If attending a house Mass, please be mindful and respectful of the host’s home and any specific requests they may have.
Dress Code It is customary for women to wear a veil during divine worship. Chapel veils are available for borrowing. Likewise, men as well as women are expected to dress modestly, avoiding short-sleeved shirts and shorts when attending Mass.
First time If this is your first time attending a Traditional Latin Mass, we encourage you to allow the experience to prayerfully envelop you without feeling pressured to follow every detail of the order of Mass. Simply observe and follow the cues of the congregation for standing, sitting, and kneeling. While the readings, homily (sermon), and some prayers will be in English, it is not necessary to understand every word to benefit spiritually from participating in one of the oldest forms of Christian worship.
Confession A priest may be available to hear Confessions before Mass and, at times, after Mass. To allow others the opportunity to confess and to give the priest adequate time for preparation, please keep your Confession brief and to the point. If you require spiritual direction or a more in-depth discussion, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with a priest at a mutually convenient time.
Holy Communion If you intend to receive Holy Communion, please inform the priest before Mass. Orthodox Catholics who have been baptized and confirmed (chrismated) are welcome to receive the Blessed Sacrament. Other Christians who are in sympathy with orthodox Catholic doctrine are invited to approach for a blessing from the Blessed Sacrament.
For Sundays and holy days of obligation Missalettes containing the Propers, Readings of the Mass, and information about the feast are available for use. Please do not take them away, so they remain available for others.
We observe a prayerful silence within the Chapel, especially before divine worship and immediately following its conclusion; please reserve greetings and conversations for after worship.
Offerings: no collection will be taken during divine worship, please use the collection box made available or offer it to the priest after Mass.