Brief Comparison of the Old & New Rites of Mass

You may find these and other differences between the Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass and the New (Novus Ordo) Mass of the 1960's (most commonly said at Catholic parishes at the end of the 20th century):

The 'Tridentine' Mass has a more vertical focus - a focus more on God than on fellow parishioners

The 'Tridentine' Mass is clearly a sacrifice (as opposed to a meal, as many 'moderns' want the faithful to view the Mass)

The 'Tridentine' Mass emphasizes self-denial, awareness of sin

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, the priest typically faces eastward, symbolically towards Christ (not towards the parishioners)

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there is increased reverence at the altar and extreme reverence for the Holy Eucharist

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there are ample references to atoning for sin, hell, judgment, and the intercession of saints

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, a fixed liturgy - containing the traditional prayers - is used throughout the Church, which is not subject to personal preference or manipulation

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there are reverent silent periods where the priest leads prayers on our behalf

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there is more genuflecting and kneeling

The 'Tridentine' Mass uses a different, fuller calendar

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there are fewer rote responses by the parishioners

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, the unchanged, traditional prayers of consecration are used

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, Holy Communion is given only by priests - to kneeling communicants on the tongue (excepting, of course, those physically unable to kneel)

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there are no 'altar girls', no lay readers, and no 'Eucharistic ministers'

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there is a longer silent period after Communion for prayer & thanksgiving

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, pipe organs and Gregorian chant are employed rather than guitars and drums

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, the priest is not sitting off to the side while laity 'take charge'

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, there is no hand-holding or "kiss of peace" among the laity

In the 'Tridentine' Mass, the stable rubrics help assure that liturgical abuses do not occur

And, of course, the Latin language is used for the the 'Tridentine' Mass universally. The same all over the world (you may follow along with a Latin/English(or vernacular) missal)