Focus at sung EF Mass

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porthos11

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As the EF’s newest fan, I have a few questions regarding the following of the Mass when sung.

Since we’re supposed to be praying the Mass, should we be praying the Server’s parts (e.g. Psalm 42, Confiteor) while the Choir is singing the Introit or other Propers? Or should be be following along with the Choir? Ditto with the Sanctus, for instance. While the Sanctus is being sung, the priest would completed his Sanctus and begun the Canon. Should we be singing the Sanctus along with the Choir (which I think is expected, and I prefer to do), or read it rapidly and follow along the Canon with the priest?

Thanks for any help.
 
See, I’m not sure. The Mass today was the first sung mass I had ever gone to. I wasn’t expecting that, either, so I was confused. I just read the English parts along with where the priest would have been.
 
At what’s known as a “Conventual Mass” in a monastic or religious church, the assembled monks or friars (all together sitting “in choro”) and sing the Propers and the Ordinary. They do not speak the servers parts, which are done by the deacon and subdeacon and/or the servers.

From that, I think it’s fair to say that at “High Mass” in the EF (whether Missa Solemnis or Missa Cantata) the choir sings the congregation’s part. If a congregant knows the chant setting, I see no reason not to join in (if in a soft voice).

A missa recitata (so-called “dialogue Mass”) in the EF is in fact a Low Mass (perhaps with hymns), where the congregation does the responses aloud along with the altar servers. That generally includes the Ordinary but certainly not the Propers. If there are hymns, no reason not sing them.
 
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