Episode 3175: Traditional Mass: High

Traditional Latin High Mass (Missa Solemnis)

Definition:
The High Mass is the full ceremonial form of the Traditional Roman Rite. It is distinguished by:

Chant (Gregorian)

Incense

Sacred ministers: priest (celebrant), deacon, subdeacon

Ritual processions and ceremonial gestures

I. Before Mass
A. Sacristy Preparations
Vestments:

Celebrant: amice, alb, cincture, maniple, stole, chasuble

Deacon: amice, alb, cincture, stole over left shoulder, dalmatic

Subdeacon: amice, alb, cincture, tunicle

Servers: thurifer, master of ceremonies (MC), acolytes, crucifer, schola cantorum (choir)

Altar:

6 candles lit (7 if bishop presides)

Missal on Epistle side

Chalice prepared, veiled, with burse and corporal

II. Procession to the Altar
Order: thurifer (incense bearer) → crucifer (cross) → acolytes → clergy → subdeacon → deacon → celebrant

Introit chanted by choir as procession begins

Upon reaching altar:

Thurifer presents thurible

Celebrant incenses altar (center → Epistle side → Gospel side)

Ministers return to foot of altar

III. 🕊 Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
Celebrant and ministers recite Psalm 42 (Judica me) and Confiteor with alternation

Absolution formula given by celebrant

All ascend to altar

IV. Mass of the Catechumens
A. Kyrie
Chanted by choir in alternating phrases

Ministers recite quietly at altar

B. Gloria
Sung on feasts and Sundays outside penitential seasons

Celebrant intones “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” choir continues

Celebrant recites quietly, then sits while choir finishes

C. Collects
Celebrant kisses altar, turns to people: “Dominus vobiscum”

Collect(s) sung/recited

D. Epistle
Sung by subdeacon from the Epistle side

Choir responds “Deo gratias”

Celebrant reads quietly at altar

E. Gradual/Alleluia or Tract
Sung by choir

F. Gospel
Deacon receives blessing: “Dominus sit in corde tuo…”

Thurifer and acolytes lead Gospel procession with candles and incense

Gospel sung facing north

Deacon kisses book, celebrant incenses text

“Laus tibi, Christe” response

G. Sermon (optional, after Gospel)
H. Credo
Sung on Sundays and solemnities

Celebrant intones “Credo in unum Deum”

Ministers bow/genuflect at Incarnation clause

V. 🕯 Mass of the Faithful (Sacrifice)
A. Offertory Chant
Sung by choir

Celebrant recites Offertory verse

B. Preparation of Gifts
Bread offered: “Suscipe, sancte Pater…”

Wine and water blessed: “Deus, qui humanae substantiae…”

Chalice offered: “Offerimus tibi…”

Lavabo: Priest washes hands (Psalm 25)

Prayer to the Trinity: “Suscipe, Sancta Trinitas…”

C. Incensation
Gifts incensed in cross and circle motion

Altar incensed completely

Celebrant, ministers, and faithful incensed

D. Orate, Fratres
Celebrant turns: “Orate, fratres…”

Choir responds “Suscipiat Dominus…”

E. Secret Prayer
Sung quietly by celebrant

VI. Canon of the Mass
A. Preface
Sung dialogue: “Dominus vobiscum… Sursum corda… Gratias agamus…”

Proper preface tone

B. Sanctus
Sung by choir

Bells rung at Sanctus and Benedictus (often split: Sanctus before Consecration, Benedictus after)

C. Canon (silent)
Begins with “Te igitur…”

Living remembered

Consecration:

Host consecrated: “Hoc est enim Corpus meum”

Elevation with triple bell

Chalice consecrated: “Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei…”

Elevation with triple bell

Commemoration of the dead

Nobis quoque peccatoribus (all strike breast)

Ends with Per ipsum… doxology

VII. 🕊 Communion Rite
A. Pater Noster
Sung by celebrant, choir responds “Sed libera nos a malo”

B. Pax Domini
Given solemnly to ministers in order of rank

C. Agnus Dei
Sung by choir, recited by ministers

D. Communion of Priest
“Domine, non sum dignus” said thrice

E. Communion of Faithful
Distribution with “Corpus Domini nostri…”

Communion chant sung by choir

VIII. 🕊 Post-Communion
A. Ablutions
Wine and water purify chalice and fingers

Prayers of thanksgiving

B. Post-Communion Prayer(s)
Sung by celebrant

IX. 🌟 Dismissal and Conclusion
A. Ite, Missa est
Sung by deacon, choir responds “Deo gratias”

In penitential times: “Benedicamus Domino”

B. Final Blessing
Celebrant blesses people in trinitarian form

C. Last Gospel
Usually John 1:1–14

All genuflect at “Et Verbum caro factum est”

X. Distinctives of the High Mass
Singing: All Ordinary and Proper parts are sung in Gregorian chant

Incense: Used for altar, gifts, ministers, and faithful

Sacred Ministers: Deacon and subdeacon fulfill liturgical functions

Processions: Gospel and Offertory processions add solemnity

Ceremonial Movement: More elaborate than Low Mass, with strict rubrical choreography