The first Mass that I attended in Finland was in English, on a freezing dark winter evening. After I settled, I started remembering my “good days” of going to Mass daily. So I started attending Finnish Mass without knowing any Finnish. It was not easy at the beginning, when I used to pray in my own language (Spanish) as I listened to the Finnish. As a new academic year is starting, I decided to write this guide for all the people who are new in this country, to make it easier for you to follow the Mass in Finnish. And I seriously encourage you go to weekday Mass, because even if you do not know that much Finnish, you can always learn!
The Order of Mass. In most parishes in Finland, there are red* books called Cantemus available at the back of the church. At the beginning of the book there is a complete order of the Mass and the end, you'll find a simpler one in Finnish (as in the photo above).
However, Cantemus is not your only option. The order of Mass is also available at the beginning of the blue plastic-covered song books, and in that version you have handy little figures that show if you should be standing, sitting or kneeling during that part of the Mass.
However, Cantemus is not your only option. The order of Mass is also available at the beginning of the blue plastic-covered song books, and in that version you have handy little figures that show if you should be standing, sitting or kneeling during that part of the Mass.
| Sometimes Mass is said in Latin, English, Swedish or some other language. If so, the order of Mass is usually available separately on paper, and you can find the leaflets at the entrance of the church. (Some parishes in Finland use a blue book called Cecilia for the Swedish Mass. It is also used in Catholic parishes in Sweden. In Cecilia you will find the order of Mass in both Swedish and Latin on the grey-edged pages in the middle of the book.) |  |
Holy Communion. For me it was strange to see people putting bread into a bowl before Mass. I had never done it before coming to Finland. But in the parishes where this is common practice, please remember to add your unconsecrated host to the paten before the beginning of Mass if you intend to go to Communion. Usually the bowl with the bread and the paten - as the plate that is carried to the altar during the offertory is called - is found at the entrance or in the central aisle. However, this is not standard practice in all parishes in Finland and not at all Masses even in those that do do it. If you are visiting another parish, remember to look around to see how it is done locally.
A bowl of unconecrated hosts on the left and the paten on the right. Add your piece of bread for consecration using the spoon provided if you are going to receive Communion when you see this as you enter the church before Mass.
Singing in the Mass. If it is not a “rapid Mass”, usually there are songs. The songs often are from Cantemus, the red song-and-Mass book. The song numbers will be displayed on the wall. Sometimes the responsorial psalm is spontaneous, in which case you just join the others and sing when you've figured it out! In Turku you can find the responsorial psalm on paper with the Mass books by the entrance on weekdays.
The Readings for Mass - and using your phone in church. At the beginning, I felt weird to be reading the readings on my phone during Mass. But I looked into this and found that it is fine if we are really only using the phone for the Mass readings! I use apps like Laudate or Daily Readings on my phone. I always make sure I have downloaded the readings and turned the phone to airplane or silent mode before the Mass begins. I take out my phone when the first reading starts and put it away again at the end of the Gospel reading. This has really helped me a lot: the Mass helps me learn Finnish by listening!
After the blessing, in some parishes there are some “default” prayers. For instance, in Turku we say a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of the Mass and the prayer can be found on the back cover of Cantemus. We also sing the Salve Regina or some other Marian hymn. So, please do not leave before the song has ended!
I hope this article is useful for you, specially if you are newcomers! If you would like to share some other practices from your parish, please use the comment function below. And have a great start to the new academic year!
The Readings for Mass - and using your phone in church. At the beginning, I felt weird to be reading the readings on my phone during Mass. But I looked into this and found that it is fine if we are really only using the phone for the Mass readings! I use apps like Laudate or Daily Readings on my phone. I always make sure I have downloaded the readings and turned the phone to airplane or silent mode before the Mass begins. I take out my phone when the first reading starts and put it away again at the end of the Gospel reading. This has really helped me a lot: the Mass helps me learn Finnish by listening!
After the blessing, in some parishes there are some “default” prayers. For instance, in Turku we say a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of the Mass and the prayer can be found on the back cover of Cantemus. We also sing the Salve Regina or some other Marian hymn. So, please do not leave before the song has ended!
I hope this article is useful for you, specially if you are newcomers! If you would like to share some other practices from your parish, please use the comment function below. And have a great start to the new academic year!
| * The Cantemus books in parishes are red, but if you want to buy one for perusal at home you can. However, if you do, it comes with blue covers. |
 | Yiran, or Maria Micaela. Born in China as a Protestant Christian but baptised in Spain (2015), being the only Catholic in the family. I came to Turku as an Erasmus exchange student and I stayed for my MSc studies. Cooking, running and photography are my hobbies. |
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