A decree of the Holy See, the “Instruction of
the Sacred Congregation of Rites on Sacred Music and the Sacred
Liturgy,” dated September 3, 1958, provides directions in regard to our
participation in the Mass.
The active
external participation of the faithful in a Sung Mass, solemn or
simple, can be accomplished in three degrees. In the first
degree, the faithful chant the easiest liturgical responses: Amen, Et cum spíritu tuo,
Glória tibi Dómine, Habémus ad Dóminum,
Dígnum et justum est, Sed libera nos a malo, Deo grátias.
In the second degree, the faithful chant parts of the Ordinary of the
Mass, the Kyrie, Glória,
Credo, Sanctus-Benedictus and Agnus Dei. In the third
degree, the faithful may join with the choir in singing the parts of
the Proper of the Mass.
With respect
to a Read Mass, or Low Mass, the 1958 instructions provide that the
faithful should not be present “as . . . silent spectators” but
should participate in the great mystery so as to share in its abundant
fruits. To do so the faithful may unite themselves internally
with the sentiments of the great High Proper Priest and Victim of the
Mass, or they may join the priest who celebrates the Mass by reciting
with him the prayers of the Mass.
In this
regard, the most perfect manner of external participation is attained
when the faithful join in the liturgical prayers of the Mass. Of
this more perfect participation there are four degrees. In the
first degree, the faithful join in giving the easiest liturgical
responses, e.g., Amen, Et cum spíritu tuo, Glória tibi
Dómine, Laus tibi Christe, Habémus ad Dóminum,
Dígnum et justum est, etc. In the second degree, the
faithful join the acolytes and respond to the Prayers at the Foot of
the Altar and recite the triple Dómine, non sum dignus,
immediately before Communion of the Faithful. In the third degree, the
faithful recite with the celebrant parts of the Ordinary of the Mass,
e., the Kýrie, Glória, Credo, Sanctus-Benedictus and
Agnus Dei. In the fourth degree, the faithful join the celebrant
and recite with him parts of the Proper of the Mass, e.g., the Introit,
Gradual, Offertory and Communion Antiphon. Other parts of the
Mass, particularly the Canon of the Mass (the prayers following the
Sanctus-Benedictus to and including the Doxology which occurs
immediately prior to the Great Amen) and the Pater Noster, are reserved
for the priest but may be prayed silently by the faithful.
At Holy Cross
Chapel, we are asked to participate at a High Mass by chanting the
easiest liturgical responses: Amen,
Et cum spíritu tuo, Glória tibi Dómine,
Habémus ad Dóminum, Dígnum et justum est, Sed
libera nos a malo, Deo grátias. At a Low Mass we
are asked to respond with the easiest liturgical responses, e.g., Amen, Et cum spíritu tuo,
Glória tibi Dómine, Laus tibi Christe, Habémus ad
Dóminum, Dígnum et justum est, etc; to join with the
celebrant in recitation of the Kýrie, Glória, Credo,
Sanctus-Benedictus and Agnus
Dei and to recite aloud the triple Dómine, non sum dignus,
immediately before the Communion of the Faithful.