Click on the links below to listen to or download Fr. Nolan’s series of talks on the liturgy. (Apologies for the inconsistent audio quality of talks #1-5 due to technical problems with the recording equipment. These issues were resolved beginning with talk #6)
Talk #7: Commentary on the Mass Part III: From the Introit to the Collect
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
Fr. Nolan continues his commentary on the Mass with an explanation of the first series of the ancient prayers of the Mass: the Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, and Collect. These prayers formally begin the Mass of Catechumens by disposing us to a spirit of adoration, thanksgiving, reparation, and petition: the four ends of the Mass.
Click here for the handout used for Talk #7 (same as talk #6)
Talk #6: Commentary on the Mass Part II: The Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
Fr. Nolan continues his commentary on the Mass with an explanation of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, their content and structure, and the spiritual significance of these prayers in relation to the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Psalm 42 is the Psalm of King David after he fled from his son Absalom across the brook Cedron into the garden of Gethsemane, mystically foreshadowing the actions Christ on the night of His passion. This psalm serves then as a most fitting introduction to the Holy Sacrifice.
Click here for the handout used for Talk #6
Talk #5: Commentary on the Mass Part I: The Vesting of the Priest and Preparation of the Chalice
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
Fr. Nolan begins his commentary on the Mass with an explanation of each of the sacred vestments, their meaning and symbolism, the prayer the priest says while putting on each vestment, and its relation to the liturgy, followed by an explanation of the chalice, paten, and pall, how they are prepared and their meaning and symbolism in the Mass.
Click here the handouts used during Talk #5
Talk #4: Overview of the Prayers of the Mass and Explanation of the Liturgical Colors
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
Fr. Nolan gives a general overview of the Mass outlining the various parts of the Mass, how the prayers are structured and fit into the whole of the Mass, as well as the spiritual and theological significance of the liturgical colors.
Click here for copies of the slides used during Talk #4.
Talk #3: Why is the Traditional Mass celebrated in Latin and why does the Priest Face the Altar?
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
This third talk explains in greater detail why the Mass was celebrated in Latin for so many centuries and why this liturgical language is still of benefit in modern times. Also, the reasons why the priest faces the altar during the celebration of Mass and how this mode of celebration more richly expresses the underlying principles of the liturgy as explained in the previous two talks.
Click here for copies of the slides used during the third presentation.
Talk #2: The Proper Roles of the Priest and Laity during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
The second talk covers the Church’s theological understanding of the distinction between the general priesthood of the laity and the ministerial priesthood and how this distinction is reflected in the roles of priest and laity during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It also covers the many varied ways the faithful can more fruitfully participate when attending the Holy Sacrifice.
Click here for copies of the slides used during the second presentation.
Talk #1: Fundamental Liturgical Principles of the Roman Rite
(Click to listen or right-click to download)
This first talk given on Oct. 17, 2014 covers the basic principles that govern the celebration of the Mass and specifically the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
Click here for copies of the slides used during the first presentation.