Active Participation in the Mass: A Statistical Study - Part 3 of 4

Tridentine Community News (September 6, 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

THE NICENE CREED
[In Canada, it is permissible to recite the Apostles’ Creed.]
23. We believe in one God…

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
24-31. Lord, hear our prayer. [Allowance for typical seven Prayers.]
32. Amen.

THE OFFERTORY
- [-] Blessed be God for ever. [Omitted: hymn is usually sung.]
- [-] Blessed be God for ever. [Omitted: hymn is usually sung.]

THE LAVÁBO

THE ORÁTE FRATRES
33. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands…

THE PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
34. Amen.

THE PREFACE
35. And also with you.
36. We lift them up to the Lord.
37. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

THE SANCTUS
38. Holy, holy, holy…

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
[The people respond with one of the following:]
39. Christ has died, Christ is risen…
39. Dying you destroyed our death…
39. When we eat this bread and drink this cup…
39. Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free…

THE PATER NOSTER
40. Our Father…
41. For the kingdom…
42. Amen.


Extraordinary Form/Tridentine Mass

THE NICENE CREED
31. [16.] (sung) I believe in one God…

THE OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
32. [17.] And with thy spirit.

THE OFFERTORY

THE INCENSING OF THE OFFERINGS

THE LAVÁBO

THE ORÁTE FRATRES
33. [18.] May the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands…

THE SECRET PRAYER
34. [19.] Amen.

THE PREFACE
35. [20.] And with thy Spirit.
36. [21.] We have them lifted up unto the Lord.
37. [22.] It is meet and just.

THE SANCTUS
38. [23.] (sung) Holy, holy, holy….

THE CANON OF THE MASS

THE PATER NOSTER
39. [24.] But deliver us from evil.
40. [25.] Amen.
41. [26.] And with thy Spirit.

[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 September 6, 2009. Hat tip to A.B.]