Differences in Traditional Mass

[babochka]

I recently attended Mass at an SSPX chapel and have also attended Mass at an FSSP parish several times. To my surprise, at the SSPX chapel the congregation chanted several parts of the Mass (creed, responses, etc.), which does not happen at the FSSP parish. Is this a “dialog Mass” (which is a term I’ve heard, but don’t really know anything about)? There were several other minor differences, which were unexpected, but this was the most noticeable.

 

[YoungTradCath]

The Ordinary parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) if the setting is Gregorian and the Order of Mass parts pertaining to the people (responses), as well as any metrical hymn type procession or recession pieces can and should be sung by the people at a High or Solemn Mass. I suppose the people could sing a polyphonic setting of the Ordinary parts, but this is typically far too difficult. Furthermore I suppose they are technically allowed to sing the Propers but this usually too difficult as well.

A Dialogue Mass usually has no singing except perhaps a processional and recessional hymn. A Dialogue Mass is a Low Mass in which the people make the responses along with the server. The Ordinary parts of the Mass, the Order of Mass and the Propers of the Mass are not sung in a Low or Dialogue Mass. Dialogue Masses are not common in the USA.

So likely you attended a High or Solemn Mass, in which case the people’s singing was fully appropriate.

 

[babochka]

The Ordinary parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) if the setting is Gregorian and the Order of Mass parts pertaining to the people (responses), as well as any metrical hymn type procession or recession pieces can and should be sung by the people at a High or Solemn Mass. I suppose the people could sing a polyphonic setting of the Ordinary parts, but this is typically far too difficult. Furthermore I suppose they are technically allowed to sing the Propers but this usually too difficult as well.

A Dialogue Mass usually has no singing except perhaps a processional and recessional hymn. A Dialogue Mass is a Low Mass in which the people make the responses along with the server. The Ordinary parts of the Mass, the Order of Mass and the Propers of the Mass are not sung in a Low or Dialogue Mass. Dialogue Masses are not common in the USA.

So likely you attended a High or Solemn Mass, in which case the people’s singing was fully appropriate.

Yes, it was a High Mass, but I have also attended High Masses at the FSSP parish, and the people did not sing any responses or parts of the Mass. Both parishes had a choir. Maybe it is just a parish to parish difference, then.

 

[TrueLight]

Maybe it is just a parish to parish difference, then.

Probably. At the FSSP parish I attended for a while, the choir sung the propers and the people sang along too. Some softly, some loudly.

I love, love, love parishes that sing.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Yes, it was a High Mass, but I have also attended High Masses at the FSSP parish, and the people did not sing any responses or parts of the Mass. Both parishes had a choir. Maybe it is just a parish to parish difference, then.

Perhaps I should say they are entitled to and should sing, but they are not required to. I love when there is a thunderous Gregorian setting sung by the choir and people. But I also love a polyphonic setting sung by just the choir. =]

 

[BertBlyleven]

There are many local variations to the old Mass. The problem is they’ve all since died save a few places. Many priests who say the old Mass might employ some local variation from some other place that might not have been the norm (in their own area) prior to the 1950s. This isn’t a problem, as long as it is reasonable. A variation that I know the SSPX does (where customary) is the congregation reciting “Domine non sum dignus…” with the priest (who does not wear a biretta).