07-02-2013, 07:48 PM
I just had the pleasure of attending the 150th Gettysburg, PA, Civil War reenactment, and much to my surprise and shock, they held an actual Tridentine Mass on Sunday morning! The Mass was celebrated by Father Charles Vreeland, FSSP, who was just ordained on June 1. This was a drastic improvement from the typical 'interfaith' (i.e. protestant) services they usually hold, or at best, the occasional Novus Ordo Mass. Father Vreeland was late for the Mass due to the heavy vehicle traffic in the area, so that gave us time to pray the Rosary beforehand. Due to it being '1860', the Fatima prayer was not yet in use, so we replaced it with a sung Ave Maria. I wish I could remember the version, but it's fairly common, I think. That's me on the left wearing the grey coat and crazy vest.
![[Image: 9194405667_f00fbd3bb7_z.jpg]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9194405667_f00fbd3bb7_z.jpg)
There were at least 150 people attending, and for most it was their first experience with the Tridentine Mass. Some were clearly uncomfortable with the Latin, prolonged kneeling, and silence, but for most, they seemed to appreciate it very much. I'm sure at least a few of them will seek out the traditional Mass in the future. There was a bit of awkwardness, in that I was sitting near the front, and therefore led most of the others when kneeling or standing. The awkward part came when I genuflected, stood back up, and everyone else continued kneeling. Following this, they had a Lutheran service, which was very poorly attended compared to us Catholics.
There was also a great impression of a period nun (ignore the paper cups . . .), of which I'm unsure of the order.
![[Image: 9194397525_5e5074ccc3_z.jpg]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9194397525_5e5074ccc3_z.jpg)
All in all, it was an amazing experience to have Mass outdoors at a location like that, surrounded by period tents, and in the distance, cannon fire.
![[Image: 9194405667_f00fbd3bb7_z.jpg]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9194405667_f00fbd3bb7_z.jpg)
There were at least 150 people attending, and for most it was their first experience with the Tridentine Mass. Some were clearly uncomfortable with the Latin, prolonged kneeling, and silence, but for most, they seemed to appreciate it very much. I'm sure at least a few of them will seek out the traditional Mass in the future. There was a bit of awkwardness, in that I was sitting near the front, and therefore led most of the others when kneeling or standing. The awkward part came when I genuflected, stood back up, and everyone else continued kneeling. Following this, they had a Lutheran service, which was very poorly attended compared to us Catholics.
There was also a great impression of a period nun (ignore the paper cups . . .), of which I'm unsure of the order.
![[Image: 9194397525_5e5074ccc3_z.jpg]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9194397525_5e5074ccc3_z.jpg)
All in all, it was an amazing experience to have Mass outdoors at a location like that, surrounded by period tents, and in the distance, cannon fire.