What is the difference between a High and low Tridentine Mass? What is the “indult” in an Indult Tridentine Mass? Also, does anyone know of any Tridentine Masses in Pittsburgh, or to the Northwest of Pittsburgh?(i’m looking for one, no too far from my home.)
A Low Mass is a Mass offered by a priest with minimum one altar server. The priest remains at the altar at all times from the beginning to the end of the Mass. The Mass is celebrated without chant. Two candles are lit on the altar (and a third at the elevation according to paragraph 20 of the General Rubrics). There is a lot more kneeling in a low Mass than High Mass by the congregation… (Look here for instructions on celebrating a low Mass)
A Sung Mass or Missa Cantata is a low Mass with chant/music and incense. Regarding the latter, at the time when the Old Catholic Encyclopedia was written, it noted that the Congregation of Rites had forbidden incense at such Masses, but the use of incense became gradually accepted and a part of the Sung Mass. The changes of John XXIII however, forbade the incensing of the priest after the Gospel at a Sung Mass. At a Sung Mass there will normally be at least 4 lit candles on the altar. Candles may also be carried during the procession and at the Gospel.
A High Mass or Missa Solemnis is a Mass celebrated with 3 sacred ministers- priest, deacon and subdeacon (deacon may be another priest just dressed as one, and subdeacon may be at least in minor orders though then he is forbidden to do some things. Usually he too is a priest). At High Mass, there are six candles lit at the altar. Incense in used. Chant also (for the Epistle, Gospel, the opening lines of the Gloria and Credo, the Our Father, the various conclusions (“Per omnia saecula saeculorum”), etc. and the Ordinary and Propers are sung. They are recited silently by the priest, who when finished, may be seated until the choir finishes**, or may carry on with further silent prayers, depending at what part of the Mass he is at.
Many of the ceremonies of High Mass worked their way into the low Mass. For example, the deacon reads the Gospel (with candles and incense) facing north, and the priest at low Mass reads the Gospel at the ‘north’ end of the altar.* There are also differences in other ceremonies- for example the chalice is not left on the altar the beginning of the Mass but at the credence table where it is brought to the priest at the offertory by the subdeacon, the paten is held by the subdeacon in the humeral veil, and not placed under the corporal, and the deacon and subdeacon pour the wine and water into the chalice. At High Mass the sign of peace is also exchanged by the sacred ministers and those in the sanctuary after the prayer ‘Domine Jesu Christe qui dixiste….’
Prior to 1962, another Confiteor was sung in a solemn tone by the deacon before the people’s communion. This was said in low Masses.
After Low Mass (but not if it is of a solemn character like if it is the main Sunday Mass) the Leonine Prayers are recited. This consists of a triple ‘Hail Mary’, a ‘Hail, Holy Queen’, a Collect, the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and a triple invocastion of the Sacred Heart.
After High Mass on Sundays, a prayer was sung usually for the government or sovereign.
- Prior to the reforms of John XXIII, the low Mass had worked its way into the High Mass- thus, there was a ‘double’ reading of the Epistle and the Gospel. For e.g. the priest would bow at the middle, say “Munda cor meam” go to the north and read the Gospel silently. Then he would return to the middle and the deacon would kneel say ‘Munda cor meam’, receive the blessing, etc. and go and proclaim the Gospel audibly.
** He resumes his biretta which is doffed at the name of Jesus.
