What do you need for Solemn vs. Read Mass?
  • MVLC
    Posts: 3
    Once a month, there's EF Mass at a church near me, but it's almost always Read rather than Solemn (I think there was Solemn once), and it would be great to go to a Solemn Mass again. Also, I'd really love to sing in a choir again - I've only done that once, but it was amazing.
    Basically, I'm wondering what exactly you need for a Solemn Mass that you don't for Read; a choir, extra servers, more candles (?)... anything else? And how many servers do you need?
    I have yet to ask the priest about it, but just looking for some more info as I'm not that educated in these areas.

    Thanks for your time :)
  • WGS
    Posts: 300
    For a "missa cantata" (not a solemn Mass), you need a priest and an altar server and a venue and one singer (perhaps you).

    If done regularly and well, it would grow.
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  • trentonjconn
    Posts: 620
    I have sung at at least two Missae Cantata which were exactly as outlined above: priest, server, me, congregation. It isn't ideal, but it's certainly possible.
    Thanked by 3MVLC tomjaw mmeladirectress
  • MVLC
    Posts: 3
    Thanks for your replies :) Sounds like we have more than enough servers (should be able to get at least two) and plenty of singers.

    WGS - thanks for the correction! I'm still figuring the terminology out, there seem to be a lot of variations. I forgot about the lack of deacon and sub-deacon.
  • fcbfcb
    Posts: 338
    You also need a priest who is willing to sing (often the biggest stumbling block).
    Thanked by 6trentonjconn a_f_hawkins Liam MVLC CHGiffen Roborgelmeister
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,304
    I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described (Alcuin Reid's 2003 or 2009 editions both suffice) and J.B. O'Connell's The Celebration of Mass (the 1964 edition is the 1962-compliant one); if you read French, Stercky is a wonderful resource, although you have to learn the 1962 differences.

    Anyway, the original sung Mass featured the acolyte and a cantor and the ceremonies are those of what we call low Mass nowadays. This was, supposedly, the norm in Rome even in the 20th century.

    In theory, the candle rules are the same (2 candles suffice).

    I disagree with what is ideal or not insofar as the French (German?) sung Mass with incense is a late innovation, and people often knock these Masses down to low Mass if you don't have enough servers, which gets it backwards. I mean, I also have a preference for incense and the ceremonies, don't get me wrong…
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