Types of Mass
Types of Mass are the distinct ways a Catholic Mass may be classified by its liturgical texts, pastoral intention, sacramental occasion, ministers, or ceremonial form.
One sacrifice, several classifications
Every valid Mass makes sacramentally present the one sacrifice of Christ; the different names given to Masses do not denote different Eucharists. A single celebration may belong to several classifications at once. For example, a bishop may celebrate a sung Nuptial Mass, use the Ritual Mass formulary for Matrimony, and apply the Mass for the spouses' intention.
Four questions must therefore be kept distinct: which approved liturgical texts are used, for whom or for what need the Mass is applied, whether another sacrament or rite is celebrated within it, and what ministers or ceremonial form the celebration employs.[1]
Formularies and occasions
The Roman Missal provides the Mass of the liturgical day; Ritual Masses connected with certain sacraments and sacramentals; Masses for Various Needs and Occasions; Votive Masses honoring a divine mystery, the Blessed Virgin Mary, angels, or saints; and Masses for the Dead. Calendar rank, pastoral need, and the rubrics determine which formulary may be chosen.[2][3]
Familiar occasion names include the Chrism Mass, Nuptial Mass, Ordination Mass, Funeral Mass, conventual or community Mass, a bishop's stational Mass, and the Mass for the People entrusted to a pastor. A 'Healing Mass' or 'Thanksgiving Mass' ordinarily names the pastoral purpose or permitted formulary, not a distinct sacrament or Eucharistic rite.
Ceremonial and historical terms
A Mass may be sung or spoken and may be celebrated by one priest or concelebrated by several priests. A pontifical Mass is celebrated by a bishop using the rites proper to his office. Public Masses admit the faithful; canon law also permits a priest to celebrate for a just and reasonable cause without the participation of another member of the faithful, though the Mass is never a merely private action.
Low Mass, Missa cantata, and Solemn Mass are classifications associated especially with earlier forms of the Roman Rite. They should not be confused with distinctions among the ordinary liturgical formularies or with the intention for which the priest offers the Mass.
References
- Back to citation Code of Canon Law — Canons 899–933 on the Eucharistic celebration and its ministers.
- Back to citation General Instruction of the Roman Missal, chapter VIII — Official classification and selection of Masses and their parts.
- Back to citation USCCB: Votive Masses and Masses for Various Needs — Overview of the Roman Missal's optional formularies.