What is a High Mass?

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A high mass is a form of the Extraordinary Form with one priest who sings parts of the mass that are normally just said aloud in a Low Mass. There is a choir which sings the Ordinary and Propers, and responses. Four or six candles.

At the principal High mass of a parish, the Asperges me or Vidi Aquam is sung.
 
Technically, in the Usus Antiquior, a “High Mass” is a Solemn Mass (Missa Solemnis), requiring a priest, deacon, and subdeacon. Colloquially, this is called a “Solemn High Mass” and the term “High Mass” is normally colloquially used for what is called in Latin “Missa Cantata” (or “Missa in Cantu”). This is a Mass with a single priest, where the Propers and Ordinary are sung, as at Solemn Mass, but the rubrics are simpler due to the absence of the deacon and subdeacon. It can be viewed either as a simplification of a Missa Solemnis or an amplification of a “Low Mass” (Missa Lecta). For both Missa Solemnis and Missa Cantata, the standard is six lighted candles on the altar.
 
malphono said:
Technically, in the Usus Antiquior, a “High Mass” is a Solemn Mass (Missa Solemnis), requiring a priest, deacon, and subdeacon. Colloquially, this is called a “Solemn High Mass” and the term “High Mass” is normally colloquially used for what is called in Latin “Missa Cantata” (or “Missa in Cantu”). This is a Mass with a single priest, where the Propers and Ordinary are sung, as at Solemn Mass, but the rubrics are simpler due to the absence of the deacon and subdeacon. It can be viewed either as a simplification of a Missa Solemnis or an amplification of a “Low Mass” (Missa Lecta). For both Missa Solemnis and Missa Cantata, the standard is six lighted candles on the altar.
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You’re right. I left out a bit of that.
 
In general it means a Traditional Latin Mass with more ceremony than a Low Mass. A Low Mass (Missa Lecta) is said not sung, and can be done with only one altar server or even without one.

The unofficial term “High Mass” may refer, more specifically to:

– Missa Cantata (Sung Mass) - what dshix describes above

– Missa Solemnis (Solemn Mass, or Solemn High Mass) - same as the above, but with a deacon and subdeacon (or higher rank), and thus a little more ceremony

– Missa Pontificalis (Pontifical Mass) - same as the above, but celebrated by a bishop, and thus yet more ceremony

– Missa Papae (Papal Mass) - same as the above, but celebrated by the Pope, and thus yet more ceremony (hasn’t been done in the traditional form in decades)
 
Ad_Orientem said:
In general it means a Traditional Latin Mass with more ceremony than a Low Mass. A Low Mass (Missa Lecta) is said not sung, and can be done with only one altar server or even without one.

The unofficial term “High Mass” may refer, more specifically to:

– Missa Cantata (Sung Mass) - what dshix describes above

– Missa Solemnis (Solemn Mass, or Solemn High Mass) - same as the above, but with a deacon and subdeacon (or higher rank), and thus a little more ceremony

– Missa Pontificalis (Pontifical Mass) - same as the above, but celebrated by a bishop, and thus yet more ceremony

– Missa Papae (Papal Mass) - same as the above, but celebrated by the Pope, and thus yet more ceremony (hasn’t been done in the traditional form in decades)
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I don’t know if the Pope could even celebrate a Missa Papae under the 1962 rubrics - don’t they have specific roles for specific positions of the Papal court which no longer exist? I think the triregnum is part of the required vestments, as well. As Pope, he could modify these rubrics, but I doubt we’ll ever see the Missa Papae again.
 
Monkey1976 said:
I don’t know if the Pope could even celebrate a Missa Papae under the 1962 rubrics - don’t they have specific roles for specific positions of the Papal court which no longer exist? I think the triregnum is part of the required vestments, as well. As Pope, he could modify these rubrics, but I doubt we’ll ever see the Missa Papae again.
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A cleric of a rank greater than that required in the rubrics for any Mass can fill in that role, though he be of higher rank.

Thus, three bishops could hypothetically celebrate a Solemn High Mass together as priest, deacon, and subdeacon.

Is that what you refer to, or something else?
 
dshix said:
A cleric of a rank greater than that required in the rubrics for any Mass can fill in that role, though he be of higher rank.

Thus, three bishops could hypothetically celebrate a Solemn High Mass together as priest, deacon, and subdeacon.

Is that what you refer to, or something else?
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It’s more along the lines of specific members of the Papal Household carry the sedia, others hold the triregnum/tiara, etc. Since there’s no longer a Papal Household, and the triregnum hasn’t been seen in public for coming up on 50 years… 😦
 
Monkey1976 said:
It’s more along the lines of specific members of the Papal Household carry the sedia, others hold the triregnum/tiara, etc. Since there’s no longer a Papal Household, and the triregnum hasn’t been seen in public for coming up on 50 years… 😦
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Ah.

Well, I’m sure that the Pope would manage it somehow if he wished to. 😛
 
malphono said:
FYI, while it may have been used in procession and recession, the triregnum was not worn liturgically.

Let’s put it this way: it didn’t happen under Benedict XVI, so I doubt it will be seen any time soon.
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You never know. A future Pope may at least celebrate a Papal Low Mass. Or maybe, they’ll celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass.

A Papal Mass was very rare before the reforms. It only happened on very special occasions, like the coronation of the Pope, the opening of a ecumenical council, etc. The Pope’s normal Mass was a Papal Low Mass.
 
malphono said:
Technically, in the Usus Antiquior, a “High Mass” is a Solemn Mass (Missa Solemnis), requiring a priest, deacon, and subdeacon. Colloquially, this is called a “Solemn High Mass” and the term “High Mass” is normally colloquially used for what is called in Latin “Missa Cantata” (or “Missa in Cantu”). This is a Mass with a single priest, where the Propers and Ordinary are sung, as at Solemn Mass, but the rubrics are simpler due to the absence of the deacon and subdeacon. It can be viewed either as a simplification of a Missa Solemnis or an amplification of a “Low Mass” (Missa Lecta). For both Missa Solemnis and Missa Cantata, the standard is six lighted candles on the altar.
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Thank you very much. You’re right. What people mean when the use the term “High Mass” has changed since the liturgical reform in the 60s. It’s not absolutly clear any more what makes the mass “solemnis”. My parish is using the term “High Mass” for every main mass on Sundays. It dont’ depend on the presence of other celebrants. Neither laity nor priests or deacons take part here. 😦

The primary objective in practice is to differ between the masses during the week and the one sunday’s mass which should be visited obligatory. It’s solemnness is in the priest’s hands.

By the way, I recommend to enjoy Beethovens wonderful Missa Solemnis. Have a taste for example at youtube. It’s brilliant!
 
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