Which form of the TLM do you prefer: High or Low? Why?

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Paxvobis

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So far, I’ve been to five Traditional Latin Masses, all various forms of High Mass (to be specific, I’ve been to three Solemn High Masses, and two Sung Masses). I love it all: the Latin, the Schola, the Incense, et cetera. Although I’ve never been to one, I’ve seen several Low Masses online and I’ve been wanting to go to one. As much as I like the pomp & circumstance of a High Mass, Low Mass seems to allow for more prayerful silence.

Which form of the TLM do you prefer: High or Low Mass? Why?

As a side note, it is not my intention to pit forms of the liturgy against each other. I’m just curious as to other people’s opinions and preferences.
 
As you say, the two are not opposed and each has its place. The silence of the low is enriching and thought provoking. The Low Mass is also a great way to learn the Mass- especially if you sit close enough to the front to hear what the Priest and servers are saying. In the High Mass, it can be hard to follow at first, because the Choir is often singing something different then what the Priest is saying.

The majesty of the High Mass is something you’ve already expereinced. It’s truly awe inspiring, then again so is the Low, just in a different way.

My advice- attend both as much as possible. 🙂
 
I don’t know if you saw my thread on here a month ago, but I was struggling with the low Mass. I knew the fault lay with me but I didn’t know how to get to a point where I was able to not struggle. Thanks to everyone here and their advice, things are much better.

The parish that I attend for daily Mass only has low Masses in the summer. I am actually getting very used to the low Mass. I am able to follow the Mass if I sit up front but if I am in the back and I can’t hear everything, that’s okay. I follow in my missal. Sometimes I don’t look in my missal. I just pray.

So to answer your question, I would say low mass for daily Mass and Missa cantata or High Mass on Sundays or feast days. 🙂
 
Low mass for me. I find the singing at the High Mass a bit distracting sometimes. The low mass is just so contemplative. I can just relax into it and pray.
 
It does not matter whether I prefer a high or low TLM Mass. What matters is the Mass itself and that is the highest form of prayer to our Lord.
 
I love all forms of the TLM, from low to Pontifical Solemn High Mass. I love the latter because of the magnificence of the ceremony.

Locally we have a low Mass once a month and I really appreciate that too. Our local Latin Mass group has made progress in the last 3 years. Perhaps someday when the diocesan priest feels more comfortable with his abilities, we can celebrate a Missa Cantata.
 
I’ve not yet experienced a High Mass so I cannot say as I’ve only been to Low Masses, and tomorrow a Missa Cantata (first time for that type).
 
georgewithfaith said:
It does not matter whether I prefer a high or low TLM Mass. What matters is the Mass itself and that is the highest form of prayer to our Lord.
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Poster, this is not addressed to you personally, but in response to similar posts I have seen.
  • God created us with the ability to have preference.
  • Prefering one form of mass over another form or one type of EF Mass does not make one LESS devout
  • not prefering does not make one MORE devout
  • it’s okay to have a preference as long as it is a MASS and not a Protestant or other service.
    – it’s okay to have a post about preferences for informational purposes, polling or just plain old dialogue
Thank you. 🙂
 
Personally I prefer the silence of Low Mass. I always sit near the front so I can hear. I gives me time to really meditate on what is unfolding before me.
 
I’ve never been to either (it’s sparse out here), but I prefer the idea of the Low Mass to the High. Something about its long quiet stints makes me think of the catacombs and what the early Christians must have endured. 🙂
 
Paxvobis said:
So far, I’ve been to five Traditional Latin Masses, all various forms of High Mass (to be specific, I’ve been to three Solemn High Masses, and two Sung Masses). I love it all: the Latin, the Schola, the Incense, et cetera. Although I’ve never been to one, I’ve seen several Low Masses online and I’ve been wanting to go to one. As much as I like the pomp & circumstance of a High Mass, Low Mass seems to allow for more prayerful silence.

Which form of the TLM do you prefer: High or Low Mass? Why?

As a side note, it is not my intention to pit forms of the liturgy against each other. I’m just curious as to other people’s opinions and preferences.
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Sadly I haven’t been able to go to a high mass, I don’t even think there are regular high masses in the UK 😦 but I have been to a sung mass and I prefer it by far and away to the Low Mass. It is just so much more beautiful than the Low Mass and truly moves my soul, not that a low mass doesn’t but a High Mass just does that to a much greater extent.
 
TrentCath said:
Sadly I haven’t been able to go to a high mass, I don’t even think there are regular high masses in the UK 😦 but I have been to a sung mass and I prefer it by far and away to the Low Mass. It is just so much more beautiful than the Low Mass and truly moves my soul, not that a low mass doesn’t but a High Mass just does that to a much greater extent.
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I’ve only been to a Low Mass once in the past 40 years (last year at an FSSP Parish), and I was not fulfilled at all. I could not hear one word except during the very odd homily (20 minutes on various forms of indulgences…), and all around me people were saying rosaries and walking around to pray in front of various statues. It was my mistake, I should have known better and found a High Mass to attend - I think that it would have brought back memories of my childhood. I will be in Rome on the 23rd and hope to find a High Mass to attend during the day - either in Italian or Latin. Hopefully there will be a Latin Mass added in Sacramento that isn’t at a FSSP Parish so I may attend again.🤷
 
kozlosap said:
I’ve only been to a Low Mass once in the past 40 years (last year at an FSSP Parish), and I was not fulfilled at all. I could not hear one word except during the very odd homily (20 minutes on various forms of indulgences…), and all around me people were saying rosaries and walking around to pray in front of various statues. It was my mistake, I should have known better and found a High Mass to attend - I think that it would have brought back memories of my childhood. I will be in Rome on the 23rd and hope to find a High Mass to attend during the day - either in Italian or Latin. Hopefully there will be a Latin Mass added in Sacramento that isn’t at a FSSP Parish so I may attend again.🤷
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I would humbly suggest reading True Lights thread on struggling with the Low Mass, if I may.
 
I got to go to a Missa Cantata recently, and I am glad that I got to attend it as I was used to the quiet of the Low Mass, but as a person who likes chanting & music it was a great experience for me to assist at that Mass as part of a congregation of about 100 people or so.
 
MissRose73 said:
I got to go to a Missa Cantata recently, and I am glad that I got to attend it as I was used to the quiet of the Low Mass, but as a person who likes chanting & music it was a great experience for me to assist at that Mass as part of a congregation of about 100 people or so.
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Yay! You finally went!
 
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