F
FAH
Guest
I have never attended a Missa Cantata before and I’m wondering how long it will last.
Can anyone help me?
Can anyone help me?
- Status
M
Mark1970
Guest
In addition to the above comment, it can also depend on the type of music the choir uses. They may sing the various parts of the Mass to Gregorian Chant, or they may use a polyphonic setting. The Gregorian Chant tends to be longer.
To give an example - the Sanctus, when sung to Gregorian Chant, is usually over before the Consecration. But some polyphonic settings are so long that the rubrics dictate that the choir only sings the first part before the Consecration, is silent for the Consecration, and sings the second part (Benedictus qui venit… etc) after the Consecration.
I would politely suggest that you allow for a Missa cantata to be longer rather than shorter, just so that you’re not getting worried if it takes longer than expected!
To give an example - the Sanctus, when sung to Gregorian Chant, is usually over before the Consecration. But some polyphonic settings are so long that the rubrics dictate that the choir only sings the first part before the Consecration, is silent for the Consecration, and sings the second part (Benedictus qui venit… etc) after the Consecration.
I would politely suggest that you allow for a Missa cantata to be longer rather than shorter, just so that you’re not getting worried if it takes longer than expected!
C
Cider
Guest
I’ve never been to one shorter than 90 minutes. 
M
malphono
Guest
It can last anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes. There are several factors involved. One, as already stated, is the length of the sermon. Another, again as already mentioned, is the music. A third is the number of communicants. And a fourth is the celebrant himself. Some priests just take things at a slower pace than others (which is how I prefer it but I digress). Other factors can come into play as well. When budgeting time, I think it best, as [post=8211734]Mark1970[/post] suggests, to allow for it to be longer rather than shorter.
Did I misread, or did you mean that in reverse, i.e, polyphonic settings take longer? The latter would seem to be the case. I recall a vignette about Mozart and his nemesis, the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg about that very thing. The story goes that the Archbishop did not like to “read ahead” (as many priests do), but also didn’t like to stand or sit there for 15 minutes while the Kyrie or Gloria, etc, was sung, so he insisted that Mass settings be relatively short. And so we have with Mozart, whose Masses are far more time-sensitive than most other non-Chant settings.
F
FAH
Guest
Thank you all for the replies. I have only ever attended a Low Mass which took only 30 minutes. I think form your responses 90 minutes will be the kind of time I’ll put in my head.
By the way can I expect the Asperges Me and incense?
By the way can I expect the Asperges Me and incense?
C
Cider
Guest
The Missa Cantatas I’ve been to have all included the asperges and incensing.
M
Mark1970
Guest
The *Asperges *is usually only used before the principal Mass of Sunday. The question of incense is slightly more complicated. According to the 2003 edition of The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, there are two forms of Missa cantata. The “simpler form” has only one or two servers, uses no incense but is sung. The “More Solemn Form”, according to The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, “partakes more of the nature of Solemn Mass, except for the absence of sacred ministers. Incense may be used.” So it really depends which form of Missa cantata is used. Personally, i’ve only ever seen the simpler version used on a couple of occasions, the impression I’ve formed is that the more solemn form is used wherever possible.
(The book I refer to was written in 1917 by a priest in England called Father Adrian Fortesque. After he died in 1923, it was regularly updated by a Father JB O’Connell, who died in 1977. Recent editions have been revised by Alcuin Reid OSB.)
P
Paxvobis
Guest
About 90 minutes on Sundays, obviously depending on the presence of (or the length of) the sermon.
I love the Asperges Me and the Vidi Aquam. Has anybody seen any of these at Low Mass?
I love the Asperges Me and the Vidi Aquam. Has anybody seen any of these at Low Mass?
P
Paxvobis
Guest
What is the difference between Gregorian Chant and a polyphonic setting?
M
Mark1970
Guest
Never actually seen it at a Low Mass. But to quote from the book I referred to above:
“By universal law, in all cathedral and collegiate churches, the ceremony of sprinkling the clergy and people with lustral water should take place before the chief Mass on Sundays. In England the bishops ordered this in all parish churches before the principal Mass, even if this be a Low Mass only.”
Unfortunately the text doesn’t refer to any rules the US bishops may have come up with in this respect. But it seems that in theory there’s no reason why it can’t take place before a Low Mass. Hope that helps.
M
Mark1970
Guest
Polyphony is usually more ornate that Gregorian Chant, and for that reason usually takes longer to sing. (You’ll notice that I said this thewrong way round in my previous post.) Gregorian chant has a very long history and is referred to as “Gregorian” after Pope Gregory I, who is traditionally associated with this form of singing. Gregorian Chant has more of an official status than polyphony although both can be used. Polyphony is often sung with multiple voices. If you search e.g. Wikipedia, there are long articles on both, and they’ll tell you a lot more than I can.
P
Paxvobis
Guest
Thanks!Polyphony is usually more ornate that Gregorian Chant, and for that reason usually takes longer to sing. (You’ll notice that I said this thewrong way round in my previous post.) Gregorian chant has a very long history and is referred to as “Gregorian” after Pope Gregory I, who is traditionally associated with this form of singing. Gregorian Chant has more of an official status than polyphony although both can be used. Polyphony is often sung with multiple voices. If you search e.g. Wikipedia, there are long articles on both, and they’ll tell you a lot more than I can.
F
FAH
Guest
I think the Mass today was definitely not a Missa Cantata it was just the same as Low Mass.
But I will know how long to expect a Missa Cantata to last if ever I attend one. Thank you for all the replies.
But I will know how long to expect a Missa Cantata to last if ever I attend one. Thank you for all the replies.
L
Love_Divine
Guest
I have. It was an hour and twenty-five minutes. Palm Sunday was two and a half hours long! And that was with a short homily, and minimal indoor procession due to excessive snow outside.I’ve never been to one shorter than 90 minutes.
M
Mark1970
Guest
Most of the ones I’ve been to have been 70 to 85 minutes. Having said that, these were all evening Masses and some people had travelled long distances, so perhaps the organisers didn’t want to make things too long (short sermon, etc). Also, the congregations weren’t that large, so Communion wouldn’t have taken that long.I’ve never been to one shorter than 90 minutes.
M
MissRose73
Guest
This is great detail here as I found out that the church having an EF Mass said in its online bulletin it is a Missa Cantata.
- Status