Active Participation in the Mass: A Statistical Study - Part 2 of 4

Tridentine Community News (August 30, 2009):

Below we continue our count of the congregational responses made in the Extraordinary and Ordinary Forms of Holy Mass. Our objective is to see just how much exterior “active participation” there is on the part of the congregation. Longer responses are abbreviated to save space, as the idea is to count the responses, not to write them out in entirety. If you wish to see a complete comparison of both Mass forms, please see the series of columns we presented in early 2008, available at the web site below.

The typical sung Sunday Mass is presented, including the Aspérges. In some churches, the congregation makes the responses to the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar silently, and not out loud. We thus show two counts: The first number includes these responses, while the second, bracketed number does not. It must be stated that the notion of silent responses may be a new concept to those unfamiliar with the Extraordinary Form. We maintain that those are responses nonetheless, just as the priest’s silent Canon is indeed a prayer.

Ordinary Form/Novus Ordo Mass

ACT OF CONFESSION, CONTINUED
4. Amen.

INTROIT

KIRIE ELEISON
5. Lord, have mercy.
6. Christ, have mercy.
7. Lord, have mercy.

GLORIA IN EXCÉLSUS
8. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people ...

THE OPENING PRAYER
9. Amen.

FIRST READING
10. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
11-16. [Allowance for typical five Responses.]

SECOND READING
17. Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA OR ACCLAMATION
18-19. [The Alleluia or Acclamation is sung twice.]

GOSPEL
20. And also with you.
21. Glory to you, O Lord.
22. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.


Extraordinary Form/Tridentine Mass
ACT OF CONFESSION, CONTINUED
17. [7.] Amen.
18. [7.] Amen.
19. [7.] And Thy people will rejoice in Thee.
20. [7.] And grant us Thy salvation.
21. [7.] And let my cry come unto Thee.
22. [7.] And with Thy Spirit.

ASCENDING THE ALTAR

INTROIT

KYRIE ELEISON
23. [8.] Lord, have mercy on us.
24. [9.] Christ, have mercy on us.
25. [10.] Christ, have mercy on us.
26. [11.] Lord, have mercy on us.

GLORIA IN EXCÉLSIS
27. [12.] (sung) Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace ...

THE COLLECT
28. [13.] Amen.

THE EPISTLE OR LESSON
- [-] Thanks be to God. [Omitted when Epistle is sung.]

GRADUAL, TRACT, SEQUENCE, AND/OR ALLELUIA

GOSPEL
29. [14.] And with Thy Spirit.
30. [15.] Glory be to Thee, O Lord
- [-] Praise be to Thee, O Christ [Omitted when Gospel is sung]

[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for August 30, 2009. Hat tip to A.B.]