High Latin Wedding Masses

Re: High Latin Wedding Masses

• ElisabethJoanne member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  100% possible. I went to one in Tulsa presided over by a Bishop. I'm an amateur liturgist, and the high Extraordinary Form Mass was my primary reason for making the trip from California to Tulsa in January (to a cash bar, too).
  
  Now that I think of it, I went to one at a parish in California that regularly has the Extraordinary Form.
  
  That's two high solemn (or is it "solemn high") nuptial Masses in the Extraordinary Form, and in the last 3 years, and these are the best-catechized group of Catholics you'll ever meet. We all have degrees in theology!

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• kaylaveronica

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_high-latin-wedding-masses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:380a0de3-e9d8-49c6-bd89-35eed998d6cdPost:c0cc6486-a805-4500-9245-6002112cab95">Re: High Latin Wedding Masses</a>:
  [QUOTE]100% possible. I went to one in Tulsa presided over by a Bishop. I'm an amateur liturgist, and the high Extraordinary Form Mass was my primary reason for making the trip from California to Tulsa in January (to a cash bar, too). Now that I think of it, I went to one at a parish in California that regularly has the Extraordinary Form. That's two high solemn (or is it "solemn high") nuptial Masses in the Extraordinary Form, and in the last 3 years, and these are the best-catechized group of Catholics you'll ever meet. We all have degrees in theology!
  Posted by ElisabethJoanne[/QUOTE]<div>
  </div><div>"(to a cash bar, too)”  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-surprised.gif" border="0" alt="Surprised" title="Surprised" /> haha</div><div>
  </div><div>"presided over by a Bishop” - does it have to be presided over a Bishop? I’ve asked my priest but he said he would get back to us (the Traditional priest that is most likely presiding is technically a visiting priest, although he almost always celebrates the TLM @ our parish) because he didn’t know. I suppose this is contingent on having a choir as well? </div><div>
  </div><div>Thanks! </div><div>
  </div><div>
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• ElisabethJoanne member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  No and no. The California one was presided over by the Pastor, who was "just" a Priest. And the California one didn't have a choir. The choir in Tulsa was mostly the bride's relatives. So, a Bishop is not necessary, and a choir is not necessary.
  
  [Just 'cause the story is SO cute: The Tulsa bride and groom met at a monastery. The groom worked there in fundraising - no plans of becoming a Brother. The bride's family often attended Mass in the chapel because the monastery was also Extraordinary Form. I have a friend who should be a Priest in that monastery now. He told stories from when he visited of going to Confession in Latin. Anyway, I met my future husband on the subway. He was reading in Greek from the same publisher I was reading in Latin. But that still doesn't beat meeting at a monastery! And, while I remember the cash bar, I don't begrudge it. I'd never met the bride, and she was still so gracious, and her family, too.]
  

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• lalaith50 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  One oft-confused distinction is that of the "Solemn High Mass" and more commonly called "High Mass" (or Missa Cantata.) The former requires a deacon and a sub-deacon, and the latter only requires a priest, but has the same musical form.

  
  

  And though you don't need a full choir, make sure that you have at least one musician (singer/organist) who knows how to "do" a Latin High Mass, since the music is one of the things that makes it "High."

  

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• Hope61 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  As PPs said, you can certainly have a high Mass at your wedding. The thing about Latin Mass weddings is, the marriage ceremony comes first and then the Mass. You process in, say your vows and exchange rings, and THEN the Mass starts. So it really doesn't matter which Mass follows--low, high, solemn high. We had a high Mass for our wedding in June, and we had 3 voices in addition to the organist (who sand too). It will be a little more expensive (unless you have friends who know how to sing high Mass?), but I highly recommend going with a small choir like that.

  
  Little Gabriel: BFP 7/12/11~EDD 3/21/12, miscarried 8/24/11 at 10w

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• Riss91 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  I don't think you need a choir for a High Mass, but you would need additional servers, deacon/sub-deacon.
  
  Here's a good breakout of the differences:
  
  Solemn or High Mass - priest is assisted by a deacon and sub-deacon; parts of the Liturgy are sung or chanted by the priest and/or choir, incense is used.
  
  Missa Cantata or Sung Mass - celebrated in the manner of a High Mass, but without a deacon or sub-deacon. It is therefore technically a type of Low Mass according to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1917. This Mass is, misleadingly, often called a High Mass although the Ceremonial for the use of the Catholic churches in the United States of America (1894) called it a "High Mass without deacon or sub-deacon."
  
  Low Mass - no deacon or sub-deacon, priest does not chant, no incense. Music or hymns not integral to the Liturgy may be played or sung.

  
  

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• Calypso1977 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  we did not have a cantor or choir at our ceremony.  i kind of regret it now, but it really came down in part to finances.  however, our priest still said a beautiful low mass and we were happy with it.

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• lalaith50 member

  

  August 2011 edited December 2011

  ooh, good explanation, Riss! thanks!

  

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