In Episode 07, we talked about the unity of the texts of the Mass. A reflection I wrote on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, provides a splendid example of a Mass with a unified theme. By the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Church raises before our eyes Christ, the new Moses, who establishes the true and perfect worship that has power to save us …

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (30m26s): Play in new window | Download NOTE: In another post, we have given the 12th Sunday After Pentecost as a case study in the unity of the Propers. The Unity of the Propers Masses sometimes are called by the first word of the introit. So, for instance, the third Sunday of Advent is call…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (22m03s): Play in new window | Download Sung and Spoken Masses There are two basic forms of the Latin Mass: the Sung Mass and the Spoken Mass. The Sung Mass is also known as the High Mass, because the priest sings in a "high" (loud) voice, and the Spoken Mass is also known as the Low Mass, be…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (15m57s): Play in new window | Download The Two "Dismissals" In looking at the broader structure of the Latin Mass, we can see that there are two basic parts that, historically, correspond to a rather practical reality. As we noted in episode 1, the word "Mass" comes from "missa," which essen…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (20m52s): Play in new window | Download Proper and Ordinary Sung Texts There are, in fact, 10 texts in a Sunday Mass that are sung by the people and the choir. Five of these texts change from week to week, and these are called the sung propers or the proper chants, five remain the same, and t…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (21m07s): Play in new window | Download Sacred Music Part I: Chant and Instruments Singing the Mass vs. Singing at Mass Sacred music by its very nature is music that is set apart for the sacred liturgy. It is different from secular (worldly) music. We speak of sacred and profane music. The wo…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (17m21s): Play in new window | Download The Drama of the Mass: Written into Church Buildings Episode one concluded with a brief mention of the role of drama in the Mass. The Mass is that sacramental (or mysterious) sacrifice Jesus that breaks down the divisions between God and man by pleasing…

Your browser does not support the audio element. Podcast (19m04s): Play in new window | Download The Latin Mass Project Inspired by a talk on the history and prayers of the Traditional Latin Mass, also called the Tridentine Mass, Gregorian Mass, the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, the usus antiquior, etc. etc., the Latin Mass Project aims to …