EF Dialog Mass vs EF Silent Mass

[mick321]

For those who have attended and/or assisted the Extraordinary Form Mass in both the “dialog” and “silent” formats, which do you prefer and why?

• For the purpose of this thread, the term “Extraordinary Form” refers to the Mass that Benedict XVI established in Summorum Pontificum on July 7, 2007. [ie the Mass of John XXIII, using the 1962 Roman Missal, offered from 07/01/07 thru today’s date] Please do not use the term “Extraordinary Form” when referring to any earlier manifestation of the Traditional Latin Mass.
• For the purpose of this thread, the term “dialog format’” refers to an offering of the EF Mass in which the Faithful are encouraged to respond to the prayers of the priest in the same manner as the altar servers. [ie audibly, in perfect Latin, in unison with the servers]
• For the purpose of this thread, the term “silent format” refers to the offering of the EF Mass in which the Faithful are encouraged to remain silent as the priest and servers engage in the prayer-response dialog.

 

[Gibbs212521]

I enjoy the dialogue, partly so because I’ve never gone through silently knowing a few of the prayers in Latin.
Very enjoyable and makes a heart sing louder than the mouth, also there is something about speaking in foreign languages that always make saying something sound better.

 

[floresco]

For those who have attended and/or assisted the Extraordinary Form Mass in both the “dialog” and “silent” formats, which do you prefer and why?

I have attended both, but I don’t really have a preference. I find both formats beautiful and moving. My only preference is that I find it easier to follow the Mass when it is not sung. I enjoy traditional music very much but it makes it harder for me to keep track of what the priest is doing and join my prayers to his.

 

[Corki]

The Mass of my youth was the dialog Mass. As a child, it was a point of accomplishment to be able to read well enough to say the Latin responses at the right time. I like the dialog form. There are no regular EF Masses in my area but we have had some occassional ones. There was not indication to the congregation about dialog/responses. It appeared that some people were saying the responses and some were silently listening. But that could just be from unfamiliarity.

 

[giuseppeTO]

I prefer the serenity and solemness of the silent form. The only person I need to ‘dialog’ with is Christ, our King. When I answer the prayers within the silence of my heart, He hears perfectly, and he is the only one who needs to hear it. My neighbors shouldn’t care.

 

[Onegin]

At first, I liked the spoken Mass because the sung Mass was harder to follow and understand. However, that has changed over time and now I prefer the silent form.

 

[malphono]

My first preference is Solemn Mass (missa solemnis), followed by Sung Mass (missa cantata), but of course neither applies to this thread.

Over a period of many years, I have come to appreciate the missa recitata (Dialogue Mass) more and more. In its own way, it seems to me to be a bit more reflective of the spirit of High Mass than is the standard missa lecta (Low Mass). Those who prefer to keep silent may, of course, do so, and that’s fine, but the missa recitata allows those who wish to do so to raise their voices along with the servers, (I habitually do it sotto voce anyway, even at a missa lecta). I find that a good thing and an enriching experience. But of course it’s all academic. The missa recitata never really caught on in the US, and from what I’ve seen, it still hasn’t.

 

[giuseppeTO]

My first preference is Solemn Mass (missa solemnis), followed by Sung Mass (missa cantata), but of course neither applies to this thread.

Over a period of many years, I have come to appreciate the missa recitata (Dialogue Mass) more and more. In its own way, it seems to me to be a bit more reflective of the spirit of High Mass than is the standard missa lecta (Low Mass). Those who prefer to keep silent may, of course, do so, and that’s fine, but the missa recitata allows those who wish to do so to raise their voices along with the servers, (I habitually do it sotto voce anyway, even at a missa lecta). I find that a good thing and an enriching experience. But of course it’s all academic. The missa recitata never really caught on in the US, and from what I’ve seen, it still hasn’t.

At our chapel we have two Masses on Sunday, the first is a Missa Lecta and the second is a Missa Cantata. For special holy days, we have a Missa Solemnis since we have four priests in residence. For the daily Mass at school, the rector insists on a Missa Recitata so that the children learn the responses for the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar and the common prayers (Gloria, Credo, Pater, and Suscipiat).

On Sundays I usually assist at both Masses, the first being of a reflective and meditative benefit for me, and the second Mass is just for the glory of the Missa Cantata.

My preference for the Missa Lecta over the Recitata is more a preference for praying the prayers at my own pace as opposed to the server’s pace.