Charlemagne:
I have been told that the Missal of 1962 contains a Dialog Mass (i.e., a Mass where the Priest speaks loudly enough to be heard and the people answer). Can anyone verify whether or not this is true?
For those interested, here is the document.
Msgr. Adrian Fortescue - Msgr. J. B. O’Connell The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite
Described 1996 reprint of the 1962 edition (Extract pp 79-80)
Ph. 9. DIALOGUE (OR COMMUNITY MASS)
"A RECENT Instruction of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, De Musica Sacra
(3 September 1958) lays down rules for the direct, active participation of the
people, by gesture and voice, in a Solemn, Sung, or Low Mass. There are three
degrees of participation in a Solemn or Sung Mass: (I) chanting the liturgical
responses; (II) singing, in addition, these parts of the Ordinary of the Mass:
Kyrie eleison; Gloria in excelsis, Credo; Sanctus-Benedictus; Agnus Dei; (III)
chanting also the Proper parts of the Mass. "Similarly, there are four degrees
of direct liturgical participation by the congregation in Low Mass :
(I) answering aloud the easy short responses; (II) saying aloud aloud all the
responses made by the server, and, if going to Holy Communion, the triple
Domine non sum dignus before their Communion; (III) reciting, in addition, with
the celebrant these parts of the ordinary: Gloria in excelsis, Credo,
Sanctus-Benedictus, Agnus Dei; (IV) saying aloud with the celebrant these four
parts of the Proper of the Mass: Introit, Gradual, Offertory and Communion
antiphons. In a Low Mass also the faithful may recite aloud, with the celebrant
and in Latin --all answering Amen at the end Pater Noster. All these texts
recited in direct participation in the Mass must be in Latin. Certain things are,
however, prohibited for the congregation: (I) to alternate with the celebrant in
the recitation of the Gloria in excelsis, Creed, Sanctus-Benedictus and Agnus Dei,
(II) to recite aloud any part of the Mass not permitted by the above rules;
(III) to say aloud at the Elevation the ejaculation “My Lord and My God”.
To aid the people in taking an active part more easily in liturgical actions a
commentator may intervene with appropriate explanations and directions. If possible
he should be a priest, or at least a cleric, vested in cassock and cotta; if none
such be available a suitable layman may be chosen (a woman is not admissible). A
clerical commentator may stand in the sanctuary or at the altar rail, or in the
pulpit or ambo. A lay commentator must take his place outside the sanctuary
or pulpit. The commentary should be prepared in writing, be brief and temperate,
and spoken in a moderate voice at appropriate moments, and never when
the celebrant is praying aloud. There should be silence from the Consecration to
Pater noster. It is desirable that on Sundays and feast days, at Low
Masses, a reader should read the Epistle and Gospel in the vernacular.
To aid in achieving the purpose of the Dialogue Mass --to influence the congregation
to take an active part in the sacrifice as a great community act it is desirable to
adopt for it a form of congregational ceremonial akin to the correct ceremonial for
Solemn Mass. Accordingly, those taking part should (I) stand when the celebrant goes
up to the altar after the prayers of preparation; (II) sit for the Epistle,
Gradual, Alleluia or Tract; (III) stand for the Gospel, Creed and Oremus; (IV) sit
until Orate, fratres;(V) stand for the Preface and Sanctus; (VI) kneel for
the Canon; (VII) stand for the Pater Noster and prayers before communion;
(VIII) kneel for the communion; (IX) sit for the ablutions ; (X) stand at the
Dominus vobiscum; (XI) kneel for the Blessing; (XII) stand for the last Gospel.
Those who take part in the Mass should, in addition to observing the correct
attitudes, carry out the correct liturgical gestures (genuflecting or bowing,
making the sign of the cross, striking the breast, etc., at the proper moments).