Understanding
Low Mass, High Mass, and Missa Cantata: what's the difference?
Three ways of celebrating the exact same Mass, differing only in how much of it is sung and how many clergy take part — not three different liturgies.
Low Mass — spoken throughout
Also called Missa Lecta, a "read" Mass. One priest, said rather than sung, usually with a single server, and usually the shortest of the three. This is the most common form at a weekday Mass, and often at a smaller parish's Sunday Mass too.
Missa Cantata — a sung Mass, one priest
The priest sings the parts that belong to him, and a choir or schola sings the rest, but there is no deacon or subdeacon assisting — the priest carries out their roles himself. Incense is often used even without them. This is the ordinary form of a parish's principal Sunday Mass where a full Solemn High Mass isn't practical.
Solemn High Mass — the fullest form
Also called Missa Solemnis, celebrated by three sacred ministers together — a priest, a deacon, and a subdeacon — each with distinct roles, sung throughout, with incense. This is the Mass as celebrated on the greatest feasts, where the clergy and setting allow for it.
What next
The Order of Mass
What happens, in order, with a plain explanation of each part.
Sacred Music
Why it sounds the way it does.
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