Frequently Asked Questions About Mass
"Mass in an auditorium? How does that work?" Since Easter of 2014, we have been very fortunate to celebrate Mass in Bishop England High School’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). Of course it isn’t ideal, but until we build a physical church, the space we use is “nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery.”[1]
"Why don’t we kneel during consecration?" Kneeling during the consecration is the norm for Latin rite Catholics, but the space where we gather makes it difficult for everyone to kneel. In this case, it's acceptable for the congregation to remain standing during the consecration and to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects.[2]
"Do we have to hold hands at the Our Father?" There’s no officially designated gesture for the congregation to hold hands or even raise our hands during the Lord’s Prayer. In fact, only the priest is required to hold his hands out in what is called the orans position. It’s perfectly acceptable to fold your hands in front of you, even if others around you are holding hands.
"I'm not a good singer. Do I have to sing?" You don't have to sing everything, but there is a minimum requirement. The parts of the Mass that are sung by everyone are:
[1] General Instruction of the Roman Missal no. 288
[2] GIRM no. 43: "In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel ... except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration."
[3] Musicam sacram no. 29-31
"Why don’t we kneel during consecration?" Kneeling during the consecration is the norm for Latin rite Catholics, but the space where we gather makes it difficult for everyone to kneel. In this case, it's acceptable for the congregation to remain standing during the consecration and to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects.[2]
"Do we have to hold hands at the Our Father?" There’s no officially designated gesture for the congregation to hold hands or even raise our hands during the Lord’s Prayer. In fact, only the priest is required to hold his hands out in what is called the orans position. It’s perfectly acceptable to fold your hands in front of you, even if others around you are holding hands.
"I'm not a good singer. Do I have to sing?" You don't have to sing everything, but there is a minimum requirement. The parts of the Mass that are sung by everyone are:
- any part that is normally spoken, such as responses to the priest ("The Lord be with you / And with your spirit"), the Lord's prayer, etc.
- the Kyrie eleison ("Lord, have mercy"),
- the Gloria ("Glory to God in the highest"),
- the Sanctus ("Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts"),
- the memorial acclamation ("When we eat this bread," etc.),
- the great Amen,
- and the Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God").[3]
[1] General Instruction of the Roman Missal no. 288
[2] GIRM no. 43: "In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel ... except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration."
[3] Musicam sacram no. 29-31
