Latin Responses Webinar
For serving the traditional Roman Mass
NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS BEING TRANSITIONED INTO A STANDALONE VIDEO FORMAT, SO THE LIVE VERSION IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.
To receive notice of the video program, please subscribe to our updates.
Meanwhile, the various training materials listed below are available for purchase.
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Louis Tofari hosts a program for boys and men to learn the acolyte's Latin responses at the traditional Roman Mass.
This unique course consists of presentation slides and integrates a review of:
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Liturgical Latin (more romano) and its pronunciation basics,
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Significance of the acolyte's prayers,
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Information about the Preparatory Prayers, psalms and their structure, saints in the Confiteor, etc.,
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Liturgical gestures (Sign of the Cross) and reverences (bows).
Homework exercises are also assigned between classes.
For over 25 years, Mr. Tofari has been developing a unique and well-rounded course for teaching the altar server's Latin responses, not only consisting of innovative training techniques, but also background information about the server's responses.
In this way, the student learns not only how and when to say the responses, but why, thereby appreciating the profound significance of these prayers used in the highest act of Catholic worship, the Mass.
Required materials
Recommended materials
Here are some other useful items for altar servers:
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The Mass: Up-Close in Pictures (helps with learning the parts of the Mass) [$12.50]
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The General Principles of Ceremonies of the Roman Rite (For Inferior Ministers) (explains how/when to make the liturgical gestures and reverences) [$13.75]
Coaching and certification
Integral to the program are independent coaching sessions to certify the students and complete the program. This testing process is actually a form of one-on-one training. Upon passing with a 100% grade, a certificate of completion is provided. These sessions are conducted via live video.
Note for minors: To conform with child safety policies, during the live video sessions children must:
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Be in a public place.
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Have an adult in proximity.
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The audio and video is enabled to be heard and seen by those in the room (hence, no headphones, ear buds, etc.).
Conditions and requirements
This program is primarily for Roman Catholic men and boys (from age 7 or higher), but women who want to learn these responses may also attend.
Attendees should be proficient in cursive, or at least have the ability to write. They will need access to pen and paper, a lay missal, Bible, and an MP3 player.
In general, discussions of ecclesiastical issues or secular politics will be avoided during the sessions.
Testimonies
Louis’s webinar provides an in-depth examination of all aspects needed to master the acolyte’s responses and actions for the traditional Roman Mass. As a former university language instructor, I was impressed by his rigorous and effective pedagogical approach to learning the Latin responses with the correct pronunciation. In addition, he has extensive knowledge of the Roman Rite and explains in detail the general principals, rules of precedence, liturgical gestures and reverences. Best of all, Louis makes learning these sacred duties fun. Thomas Cregan; Barrington, Rhode Island
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Being quite new to the Latin Mass, I was fascinated and, at the same time, a bit frustrated by not being able to participate and understand. I enrolled in this course in the hope that I'd be able to do both, and my results surpassed my expectations, considering the short duration of the course. Now I feel at home in this great mass and appreciate it much more. Also, as a Spanish teacher of English, I loved the experience of watching the other side of the looking glass and see how English speakers deal with the difficulties of Latin pronunciation, which is almost the exact reverse of my Spanish students coping with the difficulties of English phonetics. And also, I must say, appreciating how quick they improved. Angel Castaño; Salamanca, Spain
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Louis Tofari's Latin Mass class for servers helped me overcome mispronunciations and errors in the way I was saying the prayers at the altar. I first learned the prayers by repeatedly saying them over and over again but what I committed to memory was a lot of mispronunciations of Latin verbs and pronouns.
The technique Louis uses such as writing them down and using your hand to make the words flow as an “Italian” would sing made it easier to overcome bad habits. Louis broke the prayers into sections with each student and made sure they correctly recited the prayers with the proper flow. I still use his PowerPoint cards [presentation slides during the video-recorded classes].
Unbeknownst to me, after spending many weeks memorizing and saying them in my head incorrectly [the first time] I had to memorize them again correctly.
Best advice―take Louis class first and avoid the mistakes and mispronunciations. Joseph Brennan (MC at St. Joseph's Church); Rockdale, Illinois
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I am grateful for the benefits of taking the Latin webinar for learning the altar server responses. Not only did I learn the responses fairly easily, but the added history, pertinent rubrics, and correct pronunciation, along with encouragement from Louis, made it quite a joyful experience. Nita Schwartz (a laywoman who wanted to learn the Latin responses); Eureka, California
