TLM stands for Traditional Latin Mass. It refers to the Roman Catholic liturgy celebrated in Latin according to the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope St. Pius V in 1570. The TLM is also known as the Tridentine Mass, as it was established at the Council of Trent.
This traditional form of the Mass has distinctive features such as the exclusive use of Latin, the priest facing the altar and away from the congregation, the use of Gregorian chant, and the offering of prayers silently. The TLM follows a specific structure and includes prayers, readings, and the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is typically characterized by a sense of solemnity, reverence, and rich symbolism.
The TLM was widely celebrated throughout the Roman Catholic Church before the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Following those reforms, the use of the vernacular languages in the Mass became more common, leading to a decline in the celebration of the TLM. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the TLM among some Catholic communities, leading to a greater availability of this form of worship in certain dioceses and parishes.
Overall, the TLM represents a traditional and sacred form of worship within the Roman Catholic Church, preserving the liturgical practices and spirituality of centuries past.
