Chanting prayers at Mass

[Jennifer132]

Pretty straightforward question. Why are some of the prayers at Mass chanted by the priest?

 

[Catholic4Christ]

Chanted liturgy was the historical ideal. Back in the days of the traditional Mass (before it was called the Extraordinary Form), you would hear of Low Mass, Sung Mass, and Solemn High Mass. Solemn High Mass is the “starting point” and ideal, but if there are clergy/servers/choir/resources/time on hand then “simpler” Masses would be said. Low Mass is not chanted at all.

Nowadays many priests “mix and match,” so to speak, but nearly all the prayers of the Mass (including the readings) could be chanted by the priest and some could be sung by a choir.

 

[Catholic4Christ]

To sing is to pray twice, as they say.

 

[Redd_Jackal]

Some prayers at Mass are exclusive to the celebrant, especially those involving consecration of conveyance of blessings. The faithful lack the faculties to bless and consecrate in religious services is my take. The official answer may vary somewhat however.

Throughout the lenten season, following the Prayers of The Faithful, the local pastor would chant:

O God hear us, hear our prayer
O God hear us, hear our prayer
O God hear us, hear our prayer

Though not published in the provided “Worship Aid”, a number of folks in the pews would sing along. By coincidence, the same verses were sung at a communal penance service.

 

[27lw]

Hmmm, my question is “why aren’t all the prayers chanted?”, instead of just some.
: )

There is a concept called “progressive solemnity” (originally describing the Liturgy of the Hours, and also applying to the Mass):
From the musicasacra.com Forum website:

"Musicam Sacram splits the sung parts of the Mass into three degrees that build on each other (ie, you don’t use the second without the first, and if you use the third, you are also using the first and second).

1st degree:
**All** of the priest's dialogs with the congregation, the three collects, the preface, sanctus, and Lord's prayer.

2nd:
Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus, Creed and Universal Prayer (intercessions)

3rd:
The propers or hymns at the entrance, offertory, and communion, the alleluia/tract, and the readings of the Mass themselves.

 

[JurisPrudens]

Hmmm, my question is “why aren’t all the prayers chanted?”, instead of just some.
: )

There is a concept called “progressive solemnity” (originally describing the Liturgy of the Hours, and also applying to the Mass):
From the musicasacra.com Forum website:

"Musicam Sacram splits the sung parts of the Mass into three degrees that build on each other (ie, you don’t use the second without the first, and if you use the third, you are also using the first and second).

1st degree:
**All** of the priest's dialogs with the congregation, the three collects, the preface, sanctus, and Lord's prayer.

2nd:
Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus, Creed and Universal Prayer (intercessions)

3rd:
The propers or hymns at the entrance, offertory, and communion, the alleluia/tract, and the readings of the Mass themselves.

Not all priests are good at singing.

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

Hmmm, my question is “why aren’t all the prayers chanted?”, instead of just some.
: )

.

I spent some time with a religious order who had a newly ordained priest assigned to them. He sang everything,! Except the homily of course. It was pretty nice.

 

[27lw]

Not all priests are good at singing.

You mean “good at chanting”? : )

Joking aside, it’s not about having a pleasant singing voice - - it’s about the solemnity. Maybe priests with weak voices could get a little voice training. If they can speak, I’m pretty sure they can chant.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I spent some time with a religious order who had a newly ordained priest assigned to them. He sang everything,! Except the homily of course. It was pretty nice.

It’s usually only in certain ethnic parishes, but the homily could be chanted/sung as well.