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

Tridentine Community News (September 20, 2009):

Below we conclude 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
THE PATER NOSTER, CONTINUED
43. And also with you.

THE AGNUS DEI
44. Lamb of God…

PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION
45. Lord I am not worthy to receive you… (1 time)

COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL
46. Amen.

THE COMMUNION ANTIPHON

THE POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
47. Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
48. And also with you.
49. Amen.
50. Thanks be to God.

Extraordinary Form/Tridentine Mass
THE PATER NOSTER, CONTINUED

THE AGNUS DEI
42. [27.] (sung) Lamb of God ...

PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION
43. [28.] Lord, I am not worthy that Thou… (3 times)

COMMUNION OF THE FAITHFUL

THE COMMUNION ANTIPHON

THE POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

44. [29.] And with thy Spirit.
45. [30.] Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
46. [31.] And with thy Spirit.
47. [32.] Thanks be to God.
48. [33.] Amen.

THE LAST GOSPEL
49. [34.] And with thy Spirit.
50. [35.] Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
51. [36.] Thanks be to God.

Conclusions

On a number-of-responses basis, with good faith allowances for the number of Responsory Psalm responses and Prayers of the Faithful, the Extraordinary Form has essentially the same number of congregational responses as the Ordinary Form. Those who believe otherwise have likely not attempted a similar exercise as this one, or may have an erroneous perception that the congregation is engaged in devotional activities during the Mass. We invite doubters to visit one of our Masses and judge for themselves.

It is said that “those who sing, pray twice.” Certainly singing is a high level of vocal participation. On a what-is-sung basis, the Asperges, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are always sung in the typical Sunday Tridentine Mass. In the Novus Ordo, the Asperges is rarely chosen as an option, and the Credo is rarely sung, but the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are commonly sung. Both forms have Entrance and Recessional Hymns, plus an Offertory Hymn if the choir does not sing a piece alone at that point. The Ordinary Form typically has a Communion Hymn, but it is not commonly feasible for the congregation to participate. All things considered, there is a greater amount of congregational singing in a typical Sunday Extraordinary Form Mass than in a typical Sunday Ordinary Form Mass.

In summary, if you define “active participation” as vocal engagement, and believe that more of that makes for better liturgy, then we have a place for you: a typical Sunday Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

[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 April 26, 2009. Hat tip to A.B.]