EF mass schedule explanation

[thursday63]

I am on a church website and it says for Mass times

7:30 AM Latin Low Mass
8:30 AM Latin Sung Mass

What is the difference?

 

[edward_george1]

Low Mass, also known as “missa lecta,” or “read Mass,” is just what the name suggests–it is done without much ceremony, only read, no singing. Usually there will be one or two servers, but no more.

Sung Mass, as the name suggests, is a Mass that is sung. There will be incense, about five or six servers, and a choir or at least a cantor.

And over all of these is the “High Mass” or “Solemn Mass,” which has several servers, and a subdeacon and deacon serving alongside the priest, and thus much more ceremony.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Mintaka]

Low Mass is largely said by the priest in a quiet tone of voice, and there is very little chant or singing, if any. It’s basically “business casual mode” or “quiet mode.” It will probably take thirty minutes or a little more, not counting the sermon.

A High Mass or a sung Mass has more chanting and ceremony. It is basically “formal mode,” and it will probably last an hour or more, not counting the sermon. (Although this varies a lot. You can chant faster if your church is smaller or has less echo.)

There are often differences in vestments, number of candles, incense use, and so forth, but that’s nothing you’d usually have to worry about unless you were the one setting up the altar for Mass.

Without getting into the whole history, different people prefer different styles or levels of formality, or have different time constraints. So it’s good to know which one you are headed for!

UPDATE – Father gave a better answer!