Tridentine mass without deacon and subdeacon

[Semandreu]

How can a priest celebrate without a deacon and a subdeacon? Can altar servers replace them?

 

[scott122]

No, altar servers don’t replace the deacon and subdeacon. Using a deacon and subdeacon makes the Mass a High Mass; without them, the Mass is a Low Mass. It’s Tridentine because it’s celebrated in Latin, using the rite of the Council of Trent. But nearly all Tridentine Masses were celebrated by one priest.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

How can a priest celebrate without a deacon and a subdeacon? Can altar servers replace them?

It depends on the Mass. At Solemn Mass a deacon and a sub-deacon are required. Altar servers cannot fulfil these roles. A priest can fulfil the deacon’s or sub-deacon’s functions. A deacon can fulfil the function of sub-deacon. This was often the case before Vatican II, everywhere didn’t have a deacon and sub-deacon. I believe Solemn Mass wasn’t that common partly because it required three sacred ministers. I believe that there is currently a permission for an instituted acolyte to fulfil the functions of sub-deacon at an EF Solemn Mass. The functions of deacon I believe must still be carried out by an ordained priest or deacon. Missa cantata and low Mass don’t need the deacon and sub-deacon; therefore, I believe EF Mass is more commonly celebrated in these forms.

 

[Chatter163]

No, altar servers don’t replace the deacon and subdeacon. Using a deacon and subdeacon makes the Mass a High Mass; without them, the Mass is a Low Mass. It’s Tridentine because it’s celebrated in Latin, using the rite of the Council of Trent. But nearly all Tridentine Masses were celebrated by one priest.

No, the presence of a deacon and subdeacon make the Mass a Solemn Mass. The singing of the Mass texts and, commonly, incense, make it a High Mass. High Masses can be Solemn (with deacon and subdeacon) or Sung (without).