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About the traditional Latin Mass
This page explains the traditional Latin Mass: what it is, where it comes from, how it sits beside the Mass most Catholics attend today, and where to find it in Ireland. For a walk through the Mass itself, part by part, see the Latin Mass explained.
What it is
The traditional Latin Mass is the Mass of the Roman Rite as it is found in the Roman Missal of 1962. It is also called the Tridentine Mass, after the Council of Trent, and the usus antiquior, the "older use". It is offered in Latin, with the priest and the people facing the same way, towards the altar, and much of it is prayed in silence. For centuries it was the Mass of the whole Latin Church, the Mass at which many of the saints on this site prayed.
Where it comes from
The Missal of St Pius V (1570)
The Roman Mass grew over many centuries. By the late Middle Ages its texts were found in many local versions. The Council of Trent asked the Pope to revise the Missal, and in July 1570 Pope St Pius V published the reformed Roman Missal with the bull Quo primum. It made that Missal the standard for the Latin Church, while allowing any church whose own rite had been in use for at least two hundred years to keep it. Pope Paul VI, introducing his own Missal in 1969, began by recalling the Missal of 1570 and called it one of the "admirable fruits" of the Council of Trent.
Over the next four centuries the Missal of St Pius V was revised several times, by Clement VIII, Urban VIII, St Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XII and St John XXIII, but it remained recognisably the same Missal.
The 1962 edition
The last of those revisions was the typical edition published in 1962 under Pope St John XXIII, the Missal in use while the Second Vatican Council met. This is the Missal used today wherever the traditional Mass is celebrated.
The two forms side by side
Since 1970 most Catholics have gone to Mass from the Roman Missal of Pope St Paul VI, often called the Novus Ordo, the "new order". Both are the Mass of the Roman Rite, and at both the sacrifice of Christ is offered on the altar and he is received in Holy Communion. They differ in how the Mass is prayed:
- Language. The traditional Mass is in Latin throughout. The Novus Ordo is usually in the language of the people, though it may also be said in Latin.
- Direction. At the traditional Mass the priest faces the altar, together with the people, for most of the Mass. The Novus Ordo is usually celebrated facing the people, though it too may be offered facing the altar.
- The Canon. The traditional Mass always uses the ancient Roman Canon, prayed quietly by the priest. The Novus Ordo uses the Roman Canon or one of several other Eucharistic Prayers, said aloud.
- Readings. The traditional Mass reads the same Epistle and Gospel on a given Sunday every year. The Novus Ordo follows a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, with a reading from the Old Testament.
- Holy Communion. At the traditional Mass it is received kneeling and on the tongue. At the Novus Ordo it may be received standing or kneeling, on the tongue or in the hand.
- Silence and chant. The traditional Mass keeps long silences and Gregorian chant. The Novus Ordo has more spoken responses and a wider choice of music.
- Calendar. The traditional Mass follows the calendar of 1962, the Novus Ordo the calendar revised in 1969. Many feasts fall on different days, which is why the saints' pages on this site give both.
The Council that led to the new Missal also asked that "the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites", and that Gregorian chant be given "pride of place" (Sacrosanctum Concilium 36 and 116). Pope Benedict XVI put it simply: "What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too."
Finding a traditional Latin Mass in Ireland
The places below are confirmed by the body that runs each one: an archdiocese, a society of priests, a monastery or the Society of St Pius X. Times were checked in October 2026. Times change, especially around feasts, holidays and funerals: always check the source or ring before you travel.
Dublin
Limerick, Galway, Belfast and Ardee (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest)
- Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, Limerick. Sundays 8.30am, 11am and 6pm; Monday to Saturday 8.30am and 6pm.
- St Mary's College Chapel, Galway. Sundays 3pm.
- Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 577 Antrim Road, Belfast. Sundays 8am, 11am and 6pm; Monday to Wednesday and Friday 6.30pm; Thursday 7.15am; Saturday 8am and 11am.
- House of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Ardee, Co. Louth, the convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus. Mass daily in the convent chapel; contact the Sisters for times and to arrange a visit.
Source: Institute of Christ the King, Mass times across Ireland.
Waterford and Wexford (Priestly Fraternity of St Peter)
- St John the Evangelist Church, Parnell Street, Waterford. Sundays 1.30pm (sung); Monday 11am; Tuesday 6.30pm; Wednesday 8am; Thursday and Friday 6.30pm; Saturday 11am. Times often change for funerals and feasts: the notices are on the front page of the site.
- St Peter's College Chapel, Wexford (Summerhill Road entrance). Sundays 10am, usually sung on the first and third Sundays.
Source: Priestly Fraternity of St Peter in Ireland, Mass times.
Co. Meath (Benedictine monastery)
- Silverstream Priory, Stamullen, Co. Meath. A community of Benedictine monks who celebrate the Divine Office and Mass in the older form. Mass at 10.15am on Sundays, Thursdays and holy days of obligation, 11am on other days; Vespers 5.15pm daily. Space for visitors in the chapel is limited. Source: Silverstream Priory.
Elsewhere
Some parishes in other dioceses list a Mass "in Latin" without saying which Missal is used; it may be the traditional Mass or the modern Mass said in Latin. Those are not listed here. If you live elsewhere in Ireland, look at your own diocese's website or ask your parish priest: each diocese is listed on the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference website.
Society of St Pius X
The Society of St Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, has kept the traditional Mass without interruption since 1970 and has chapels across Ireland. Times are on each chapel's page in the Society's directory.
- St John the Evangelist Church, Mounttown Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin. Sunday and weekday Mass.
- Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Shanakiel Road, Sunday's Well, Cork. Sunday Mass.
- Corpus Christi Church, Connaught Gardens, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Sunday and weekday Mass.
- St Joseph's Chapel, Waterford Road, Deansground, Kilkenny.
- Mass Centre, Main Street, Lisdarragh, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan. Sunday and weekday Mass.
- St Pius V Chapel, 78 Andersonstown Road, Belfast. Sunday Mass.
- Our Lady of Knock and St Patrick Chapel, Richbrook Business Park, Bessbrook, Newry. Sunday Mass.
Source: Society of St Pius X, District of Great Britain and Ireland, chapels directory.
Sources: Church documents