Question reguarding the format of Mass?

[Frosty_Gurl]

Hi, I am fairly new to this thread and am a recent returning catholic with many questions. I attend daily Mass as able, Sunday Mass as able, and any other Holy day or extra Mass as able. (I am a nurse and work variable 12 hour shifts). My question is, after returning to the church, I have noticed different ‘layouts’ regarding Mass. During “Glory to God in the highest” this is sometimes sang in different melodies. Does anyone know why?? The same thing with the “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of Power and Might” It is sometimes sang in a different melody. Also sometimes during the offering we say “Blessed be God forever” with both the bread and wine, and other times we don’t say this. And sometimes during the mystery of faith we either say “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” or “Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory”. I am sure there are other differences in the Mass, but those are the ones that I can think of right off hand. Thanks and God

 

[Phemie]

Hi, I am fairly new to this thread and am a recent returning catholic with many questions. I attend daily Mass as able, Sunday Mass as able, and any other Holy day or extra Mass as able. (I am a nurse and work variable 12 hour shifts). My question is, after returning to the church, I have noticed different ‘layouts’ regarding Mass. During “Glory to God in the highest” this is sometimes sang in different melodies. Does anyone know why?? The same thing with the “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of Power and Might” It is sometimes sang in a different melody. Also sometimes during the offering we say “Blessed be God forever” with both the bread and wine, and other times we don’t say this. And sometimes during the mystery of faith we either say “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” or “Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory”. I am sure there are other differences in the Mass, but those are the ones that I can think of right off hand. Thanks and God

There are probably hundreds of different musical settings for the Ordinary of the Mass (Gloria; Holy, Holy; Lamb of God; etc.) Some parishes might use the same one for months on end and some change with the liturgical seasons(Church time) so you’d hear a setting in Advent, a different one at Christmas, and again different ones for Lent, Easter & ordinary time.

The prayer over the gifts can be said in a low voice by the priest so that we don’t need to respond. That is usually the case when there is singing.

Where we usually use “Christ has died…” there are 4 option, the other 3 are:

1. “Dying you destroyed our death…”
2. “When we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim your death Lord Jesus until you come in glory.”
3. "Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the savior of the world.

 

[puppypatrol]

Hi, I am fairly new to this thread and am a recent returning catholic with many questions. I attend daily Mass as able, Sunday Mass as able, and any other Holy day or extra Mass as able. (I am a nurse and work variable 12 hour shifts). My question is, after returning to the church, I have noticed different ‘layouts’ regarding Mass. During “Glory to God in the highest” this is sometimes sang in different melodies. Does anyone know why?? The same thing with the “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of Power and Might” It is sometimes sang in a different melody.

The melody used depends on the preference of the Music Director or, sometimes the presider (priest). The Gloria is usually sung during special celebrations such as Christmas or the Easter season (between Easter and Pentecost) The parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Holy, Holy, Holy, etc… has been written with numerous melodies, Celtic Mass, Mass of Thanksgiving, Mass of the Angels, and many more. The melody and version used depends on the Music Director. When not sung, the Priest decides on the Mystery of faith. (Christ has died, etc…) I believe it comes in 4 or 5 different versions and they all should be able to be found in your missalette.

Also sometimes during the offering we say “Blessed be God forever” with both the bread and wine, and other times we don’t say this

.
The congregation only replys “Blessed be God forever” if the presider says "Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. " out loud, the you reply, “Blessed be God Forever”. The same goes for “Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.” If the presider doesn’t say it aloud, you don’t reply and it is up to the preference of the Presider.

Hope this answers your questions. You can also go to the following website which will give you some more information.
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm

 

[Frosty_Gurl]

Thanks everyone so much for all the help. It is really appreciated. God Bless!!

 

[japhy]

In addition to the link you were given above, I’d like to shill for my own blog, “Critical Mass” (in my signature below). I’ve only just started it, but the idea of the blog is to go through the Mass and its parts from several perspectives; the first one was “The Mass as Mission” (that is, the mission of Christ and the mission of the Church), and now I’m going through “The Mass as Exchange” (that is, between God and man). This second series builds off the first, so I would suggest you start at the beginning.

Throughout the course of the blog posts, I will be providing a “mystagogical catechesis” on the liturgy (as called for by Pope Benedict) which not only educates the reader about the order of the Mass (that is, the individual parts of the Mass and what we say or do in them) but also about the meaning behinds those parts (and words and actions):
A mystagogical catechesis must also be concerned with presenting the meaning of the signs contained in the rites. This is particularly important in a highly technological age like our own, which risks losing the ability to appreciate signs and symbols. More than simply conveying information, a mystagogical catechesis should be capable of making the faithful more sensitive to the language of signs and gestures which, together with the word, make up the rite. Finally, a mystagogical catechesis must be concerned with bringing out the significance of the rites for the Christian life in all its dimensions - work and responsibility, thoughts and emotions, activity and repose. Part of the mystagogical process is to demonstrate how the mysteries celebrated in the rite are linked to the missionary responsibility of the faithful. (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 64)