Some Questions on EF Mass

[Matthew_Holford]

May I ask the following questions about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite of Holy Mass.

1. Are the terms High Mass and Solemn Mass synonyms or do they have different meanings?
2. Before Vatican II, did every parish have a subdeacon and deacon? If not who fulfilled these sacred ministries in High Mass?
3. When High Mass is celebrated now how is the sacred ministry of subdeacon provided for? Who fulfills the sacred ministry of deacon?

Regards

MH

 

[VetA]

May I ask the following questions about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite of Holy Mass.

1. Are the terms High Mass and Solemn Mass synonyms or do they have different meanings?

i have only ever heard the term Solemn attached to High Mass, but i have heard High Mass away from Solemn High Mass, i believe they are different, but am not sure, i only ever attend Solemn High Masses on sunday (no Low Mass offered), i believe that to have a Solemn High Mass you need a Deacon and Subdeacon

1. Before Vatican II, did every parish have a subdeacon and deacon? If not who fulfilled these sacred ministries in High Mass?

my conjecture (from reading the '62 Roman Missal (put out by the SSPX i believe) is that the Subdeacon was a seprate degree of ordination ie there would be first an ordination to the Subdeaconate, then one to the Deaconate, then Priesthood than Episcopacy, but V2 abolished the Subdiaconate. I do know that before V2 there were no * Permanent* Deacons, only Seminarians that were awaiting Priestly Ordination.

1. When High Mass is celebrated now how is the sacred ministry of subdeacon provided for? Who fulfills the sacred ministry of deacon?

Regards

MH

i think that a priest or a deacon can fulfill the role.

most of this is what i think, but i will promise this, when i go to the TLM this sunday, i will ask the priest and either PM you the answers or i will write it here

 

[Matthew_Holford]

… but i will promise this, when i go to the TLM this sunday, i will ask the priest and either PM you the answers or i will write it here

Thank you very much, I shall look forward to hearing from you.

 

[ProVobis]

i have only ever heard the term Solemn attached to High Mass, but i have heard High Mass away from Solemn High Mass, i believe they are different, but am not sure, i only ever attend Solemn High Masses on sunday (no Low Mass offered), i believe that to have a Solemn High Mass you need a Deacon and Subdeacon

Correct. The subdeacon and deacon (in the liturgical role) respond the way altar boys respond normally plus the subdeacon will recite the epistle and the deacon will recite the gospel. Priests are often in the roles of deacon and subdeacon for this solemnity.

Also, there is usually a master of ceremonies, a thurifer, and at least two acolytes for the Solemn High Mass. These can be non-clerics. In pre-V2 days there was also a Requiem Solemn High Mass for those being buried that day with black vestments worn.