First Time Serving Low Mass

Last night, I served a Low Mass for the first time. For those unfamiliar with what that is, let me explain. The Traditional Latin Mass, which had been the only form and order of Mass in the Roman rite until the introduction of the Novus Ordo in 1969, has within it three ways in which the Mass is said. The first is a Solemn High Mass (Missa Solemnis). This form of the Mass was standard across all parishes and is what people, before the Novus Ordo, would be familiar with. This Mass will have six candles lit, a priest, a deacon, and a subdeacon. Most of this Mass is sung and incense is used. The next form is the High Mass (Missa Cantata). This form tends to be the most common today and the one I tend to serve the most. It is almost identical to the Solemn High Mass. The only difference is there will be no deacon and subdeacon assisting and only altar servers. The last form of the Mass, which is my favorite, is the Low Mass. At this form, only two candles are lit on the altar, there is no singing, and no incense. This form was normally for monastic orders so that all the brother priests could fulfill their daily obligation to say Holy Mass.

So, a little background on my love for the Low Mass. I do love the Latin Mass in general, one of my first ones being a Pontifical High Mass (a Solemn High with a Bishop as main celebrant). With that being said though, my first Low Mass really spoke deeply and resonated in my soul. The silence, the prayerfulness, and attentiveness to detail. I don't have to respond verbally, but rather can respond in the depths of my soul as Christ comes down upon the altar. In the High Mass, when I'm in the congregation, I can get lost in the beautiful music or the movements of the altar servers and how beautifully constructed and militant they are. These are not bad things. The Holy Ghost has helped inspire centuries of saints, clerics, artists, musicians, etc. to make the Sacred Mass what it is today. Yet, He does pull different people in different ways as we see in the realm of vocational discernment.

The Low Mass is a raw version of the Mass that puts, whether inadvertently or intentionally, on the Liturgy itself. The prayers, the ancient Canon veiled by silence, the Pater Noster in which the priest leads us and we respond. This really has lead to a greater understanding of how the Priest is in fact above us laity, contrary to what is being pushed in today's Catholic world. I love the Low Mass especially because after dealing with the loud world everyday and the chaos there has been, the Low Mass is a time where I can tell Jesus my needs and give all to Him to take and fix. I like having the guidelines for Mass because it honestly helps me to feel more free. Also, the guidelines help to make sure the Mass doesn't become a mockery. I have been to some Masses in which the priest has done things to the point I was not confident the Eucharist was valid. At any Latin Mass, you really don't have to worry about this (one of the benefits of Latin).

Well with all that said, let me get to last night. I was very nervous leading up to the Mass which was at 7pm. I was studying and practicing my responses, going over the movements for the parts of Mass, and praying to be guided by the Holy Ghost. I had been serving High Mass for about 3 months, so I knew most of the basics of serving. Although, tonight I was the only server and could not look over for help from another server. Very nervous as I did not want to be the reason for distraction for the congregation.

I arrived at the church an hour early and set things up. I sat in the sanctuary with my papers, walking through the Mass over and over. Father arrived about 30 minutes early and helped me to relax. He told me that I shouldn't worry and should rather pray before Mass, just make sure everything is in its place and then trust what I had learned from serving the past months. Hearing that was very helpful because although I was still nervous, I felt a peace again.

Everything is set up. Father is vested. I have my cassock and surplice on and we are ready to go. I ring the bell and we walk to the steps of the altar. Overall, the Mass went well and was probably the most moving Mass I have ever been too. The ability to serve so closely to the altar and be able to help bring glory to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist broke through the deformed exterior of my heart. The moment in particular that this happened was during the consecration. To hear the priest say the sacred words of consecration was such a powerful event that if it wasn't for the fact it would be inappropriate, I may have started weeping at the beauty. To hear the words "HOC EST CORPUS MEUM," said with such devotion, such love, such gentleness, and such confidence, it makes not sense to me how people could not be deeply moved to love God more. This was the first time in my life I truly knew I loved God and didn't want to hurt Him or His most Sacred Heart.

The honor to be able to experience that moment and to see Father turn into Christ (in persona Christi) was something I wish I could do every day for the rest of my life. I pray that every man, no matter what vocation God is calling him to, may experience this most tender moment (sorry ladies, you can't be altar servers in this Mass).

I wish that I could better explain what happened, but I don't believe I could do justice to how Christ spoke to me through that Mass. All I can say is try your best to get to Latin Mass and work on finding the appreciation of the Eucharist this Mass demands of the clerics and the faithful.

Christ the High Priest, have mercy on us.

First Tabernacle, Pray for us.

Joseph, Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us.

Here are some links that have helped me to learn how to altar serve:

First Time Serving Low Mass

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