High Mass/Low Mass

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LeahInancsi

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Sunday I’m planning to attend a Tridentine Rite Mass close to my house.😃 The 1st and 3rd Sundays are low mass and 2nd and 4th are high mass. What’s the difference? Also, what do I need to know so I won’t be completely lost?
 
Low Mass means that it is strictly a straight-foward verbal Mass in Latin. High Mass will have chant ,incense, and more ritual.

See if you can get yourself a copy of a 1962 Latin Missal. There is no difference in the Mass itself that I can recall…jut the addition of more ceremony. As a point of reference, as an altar boy back in the early 60s, your typical “low Mass” celebrated on a weekday at 6am would be over in 30 minutes. A solemn High Mass on Sunday would take about an hour. Sound familiar? The difference between a daily Mass at your parish and a Sunday Mass today.
 
For a first timer, high mass is actually easier to follow !! Go, relax, don’t worry about understanding the Latin. It will come. 👍
 
High Mass is with a Priest, Deacon and Sub-Deacon (Priests can fulfill the latter 2 roles); with Choir

Sung Mass is celebrated only by a Priest; with Choir

Low Mass is celebrated by a Priest; no Choir
 
Low Mass is very quiet…you really need a misal to follow where you are up to when new

Missa Cantata is also confusing for the uninitiated, there are up to three things happening simultaneously…such as the singing, the priest is saying prayers and there maybe incensing or such happening as well.There will be the “Asperges Mei” first, watch out for the flicking of the holy water…I jump every single time:rolleyes:

Perservere it is beautiful when you know the sequence. Low Mass is great if the altar server is audible and the the priest also…sit near the front.
 
Whatever you do, don’t miss the consecration by trying to follow the Canon in the Missal. The Canon is the silent part of the Mass where the consecration occurs, so just let that awesome moment happen and take it in without worrrying about the Missal. You will never forget this!
There are dozens of sites on the internet that you can read the Mass online, so you can have an idea of what is being said before you get there.
The first thing you could learn to say (or sing, at a High sung Mass) is “Et cum Spiritu tuo” (And with thy Spirit) whenever the Priest says “Dominus vobiscum” (The Lord be with you). That will be enough to learn for week one. I think it would be safe to bet that there will be a week two, three and four etc.for you too!
I was in speechless awe after my first Latin Mass, which was a low Mass, and have not looked back. I am excited all over again for you!
 
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