Every Sunday at Mass I try to follow along with everything and participate as much as I can, but there are something I just can’t hear. There are things that are sung that we aren’t told to look up so I can’t sing a long but I can’t understand what they are singing so I can’t learn it either. What am I supposed to do?
If something is being sung at Mass than odds are it falls under one of 3 categories:
**1. The Ordinary of the Mass (also known as the Order of Mass)
**
These are the prayers of the Mass that are the same every week. This includes things like the Gloria, the Creed, and the Eucharistic Prayer.
There is sometimes a little bit of variation here as there are often multiple options. And different priests will have their own preferences.
Usually most of these things are merely read. But, they can be sung.
The Ordinary of the Mass can be found
here.
2. The Propers of the Mass
These are the Prayers and Readings that change every day.
This would include the Entrance Antiphon (usually replaced with a hymn), the Opening Prayer, the 1st Reading, Responsorial Psalm, 2nd Reading, Alleluia Verse, Gospel, the Prayer over the Gifts, the Communion Antiphon (again, usually replaced with a hymn), and the Prayer after Communion.
As with the Ordinary of the Mass usually most of these things are merely read. But, they can be sung.
In order to find out what the Propers of the Mass are you will most likely want a Missal. Most parishes have something in the pews containing most or all of these things for each Sunday - often a Missalette.
The Readings themselves for every day of the year are available online
here. Just click on a date.
3. Hymns
This depends on the parish. Most seem to have them posted. Some announce them. And some print them in the bulletin. If it is the hymns you can’t figure out then your best bet is probably to quietly ask someone sitting near you.
James
