Questions about low Mass

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I’ve never been to a Low Mass and was wondering how/if it is different from High Mass. Does the congregation participate verbally in a different way? If yes, when?

Any other info I need to know?

Thank you!

 

[corsair]

Generally speaking, during low Mass the Altar boys say all the responses, however, I have been to whats known as “dialog” Mass, in which the congregation says the responses with the Altar boys. When it comes to the “Pater Noster” the priest alone say it until the “sed libra nos a malo”, which is said by the Altar boys/congregation.
Best check with some members of the congregation to see what the custom is at that parish.

I like a low Mass as it give a lot of time to meditate and pray with the priest. And I love the Leonine prayers at the end.

But given a choice between a low Mass and a High Mass, I’ll take the latter, especially if they have a great choir/schola.

 

[IntegraCatholic]

The differences at low Mass are as follows:

1. 
   *]Obviously, nothing of the liturgy is sung, though hymns (even in the vernacular, though this is unfortunate and a later concession) may be sung or the organ played.
   
   *]The ceremonies are significantly simplified, the priest doing everything himself with one server (two can be tolerated), for the low Mass developed as a private Mass, not said as a public Mass until much later.
   
   *]The only part of the Mass that is said aloud that is not heard at high Mass is the prayers at the foot of the altar; the rest is as you hear at high Mass but simply said.
   
   *]Because of that, there is a lot more silence during the offertory (because the offertory verse is not sung), during the canon (because the Sanctus and Benedictus are not sung), and during the priest’s preparation for communion till the priest reads the communion antiphon just before the postcommunion, blessing, etc. (because Agnus Dei and communion antiphon are not sung).
   
   *]The proper posture for the faithful is to kneel throughout the Mass and to stand at the Gospels, though in this country, when the creed is said, people usually stand for it, and most people sit at the offertory and sometimes from the epistle to the Gospel.
   
   *]The prayers appointed by Pope Leo XIII are to be said after the Mass except in certain circumstances (though they always may be said). These include three Hail Maries, the Salve Regina with versicle and response, a prayer composed by Leo XIII, the Saint Michael Prayer, and three times “Cor Jesu Sacratissimum, miserere nobis,” added by St. Pius X (with 10 years indulgence, I believe).
   
   *]Ordinarily, the faithful do not respond during the Mass at all, only for the prayers after Mass (Aves, response after Salve, and miserere nobis, though in English-speaking countries it is common that people say the Salve and St. Michael prayer, too), though in some places the dialogue Mass is tolerated. That becomes much more complex because there are four different grades of what is allowed, up to the faithful saying the Pater, introit, and a host of other things that never could work and are entirely illogical liturgically.

 

[MarkThompson]

*]The only part of the Mass that is said aloud that is not heard at high Mass is the prayers at the foot of the altar; the rest is as you hear at high Mass but simply said.

I believe (I was looking into it the other day) that it is also at least an option to say the Last Gospel aloud at a low Mass, though it is of course to be said sotto voce at a high Mass.

 

[IntegraCatholic]

Oh, sorry, sorry, yes. I forgot to mention that. Yes, the Last Gospel should be said aloud at low Mass but is always in silent at high Mass. Unfortunately, I guess I’m getting too familiar with hearing the Last Gospel read aloud at high Mass…