High Mass and Low Mass

[Genesis315]

I’ve been going to the TLM for a while now and at my parish we alternate each week between the High Mass and the Low Mass. The High Mass has the Gregorian Chant and incense while the Low Mass does not. After the Low Mass, however, we also pray three Hail Marys, St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle, and a couple other prayers. There’s also less altar boys serving for the Low Mass.

Anyway, my question is: what’s the significance between the High and Low Mass?

 

[Benedictus]

Ideally, a High Mass (or Solemn High Mass, missa solemnis) would be the norm. The terminology is a bit fuzzy in English because people use the term High Mass for both a missa solemnis (sung Mass with deacon and subdeacon) and a missa cantata (sung Mass without deacon or subdeacon).

In any case, a High Mass is the normative Mass, while a Low Mass is the Mass reduced to its most minimal form. True, Low Masses are more common, but the High Mass is the ideal.

 

[Kielbasi]

In any case, a High Mass is the normative Mass,

Nowadays, that is apparently true from what I understand. The high mass is a lot easier to follow, especially for younger folks who don’t remember the old pre-65 Latin mass days when the Latin mass was universal.

But back in the day, the normative mass was the low mass.