Dominican Rite Solemn High Mass

Overview¶

Solemn High Mass in the [[Dominican Rite]]. In addition to the Servers and Priest Celebrant, there is a Deacon and a Subdeacon.

Roles¶

Senior Acolyte
Junior Acolyte
Thurifer
Crucifer
Extra Servers may sit in choir, vested. They may receive Communion with the core Servers, and one may assist with the Paten.

TODOs¶

2-4 candles on the steps of the Presbytery to light during elevations? CotDR > p4.
- Should these be used as Sanctus Candles?
Do we need a Pulvinar (cushion) for book of Gospels on the Gospel corner of the altar? CDR#p2c1a1p1
Do we need a cloth to cover the Sedilia? (CDR#p17)
Should Acolytes Genuflect during Creed, since they're flanking the Crucifix with candles? CDR#p2c1a2p11

Preparation¶

General Conduct & Movement¶

High Altar reverence is a Genuflection when entering/leaving the Sanctuary, Profound Bow otherwise.
Head Bow whenever giving/taking anything from a minister.

Formations & Movement¶

Acolytes¶

With a few exceptions, the Senior Acolyte is always assisting the Deacon, and the Junior Acolyte is always assisting the Subdeacon.
All actions that take place on the Altar by the Minister work as follows:
- If coming from somewhere other than T-Formation, first lead the Minister to Approach Formation and reverence the Altar.
- While the Minister ascends, go around the Altar to the Epistle side.
- Perform your assistive action by partially ascending the Altar from the Epistle side.
- When finished:
  - If the minister will stay at the Altar, return to T-Formation.
  - Otherwise, return to Approach Formation, wait for the Minister, reverence the Altar, and then lead the Minister to his next destination.
When Acolytes split to either side of the High Altar, e.g. when stowing the Processional Candles, they should take care to stay symmetrical. For example, if one Acolyte finishes first, he should wait for the other before returning to the foot of the High Altar.
Do not Genuflect when carrying Processional Candles and flanking the Processional Crucifix, CDR#p2c1a2p11. Do Genuflect when carrying Processional Candle and not flanking the Processional Crucifix, including during the [[Credo]].

Crucifer¶

Corpus faces toward the Minister contemplating, or forward when not engaging with a Minister. Specifically:
- Forward when walking (but not leading a procession), i.e. faces your destination.
- Backward when leading a procession, i.e. those processing see the corpus.
- Forward when standing for Gospel, i.e. the Gospel reader sees the corpus.
- The celebrant during the #Credo. This means it will be carried facing sideways during the Swing Movement and Gospel-side Formation.
Do not Genuflect when carrying Processional Crucifix.

Thurifer¶

Thurifer must tend charcoals to make sure they are ready when incense is used.
Thurifer will have to Imposition of Incense#Standing Self Charge during Mass while standing in T-Formation, as well as before the #Peoples' Gospel. This is a tricky motion and should be practiced before Mass.

Order of Mass¶

Procession¶

Thurifer, Crucifer, and any Servers in choir do not process, and should be in Choir Stalls#High before Mass starts.
Procession starts in Cloister Walk. Acolytes bear lit Processional Candles.
An Acolyte rings bell, then Acolytes lead procession as a pair, JA on the left, SA on the right.
Proceed along short route. Approach Sanctuary from the side, do not square up as at Roman Rite Solemn Mass.
Approach and enter Presbytery. Split and get into Approach Formation.
Genuflect with Ministers.

Confiteor¶

After Ministers make the sign of the cross, when Ministers bow for the Confiteor, Acolytes turn inward and face one another, standing erect.
Respond Qui fecit caelum et terram at the end, possibly as Ministers stand erect.
After Ministers finish prayers and stand erect, turn to face the High Altar.
When Ministers start to ascend the Altar, split off and place Processional Candles around the back sides of the High Altar, behind the hanging cloth.
T-Formation

Introit & Kyrie¶

Swing Movement to Epistle-side Formation.
Respond to Introit and Kyrie with other Ministers.
Swing Movement to T-Formation.

Gloria (proper)¶

From T-Formation, Celebrant intones Gloria.
Moderate Bow (?) #liturgy-todo , then Swing Movement to Epistle-side Formation.
Respond to Gloria with other Ministers.
Swing Movement to T-Formation.

Transition, Gloria still sung by choir¶

Immediately transition to Approach Formation.
Inclination: Celebrant, Deacon, SA Profound Bow. Subdeacon and JA Genuflect.
Senior Acolyte: Accompany Celebrant and Deacon to Sedilia. Help sit and spread Gremial. Sit.
Junior Acolyte assist Subdeacon with bringing the Chalice:
- Lead Subdeacon to Sacristy via Passageway. Help Subdeacon don Humeral Veil and wait for Subdeacon to take Chalice Stack.
- Lead Subdeacon out of Sacristy to Approach Formation via Passageway and Genuflect with Subdeacon.
- While Subdeacon ascends, approach Epistle side of High Altar from side.
- Help Subdeacon take off and fold Humeral Veil.
- Return to right square at foot of Altar and wait for him to join you in Approach Formation.
- Profound Bow with Subdeacon.
- Lead him to Sedilia, stand with him.

Transition, choir's Gloria about to end¶

Both Acolytes help Ministers stand and take the cloth.
Both Acolytes walk in a pair and lead Ministers to Approach Formation.

Collect¶

Transition to T-Formation.
Swing Movement to Epistle-side Formation.
Cue: While Celebrant is praying aloud after Oremus.
JA: help Subdeacon with Peoples' Epistle, cue is Subdeacon moving, which happens before the end of the Collect.
SA:
- Remain in Epistle-side Formation when Subdeacon and JA leave.
- At per omnia saecula saeculorum, Swing Movement (stay on the same step even though others are vacant) back to middle.
- Immediately transition to Approach Formation (Subdeacon and JA are missing).
- Lead Celebrant and Deacon to Sedilia, help Celebrant sit. Deacon remains standing.
- Help Deacon and Celebrant with Priest's Epistle.
At this point, the Peoples' Epistle and the Priest's Epistle happen at the same time.

Epistle¶

Peoples' Epistle (Junior Acolyte)¶

The Junior Acolyte assists the Subdeacon with the Epistle:

From Epistle-side Formation, while #Collect is still being said, wait for Subdeacon to get the book of Epistles.
Turn and lead Subdeacon in Swing Movement to Approach Formation, so that you are on his left and he is in the middle. Others are still in Epistle-side Formation.
Make a Profound Bow with the Subdeacon, and lead him to the Epistle Lectern, standing at his right upon arrival, facing the High Altar.
After Subdeacon sings the Epistle, receive the Book of Epistles.
If necessary, wait for Deacon and SA to finish their work and return to the Sedilia.
Lead Subdeacon to Approach Formation, Profound Bow with him at his right.
Lead Subdeacon to his seat.
Ascend High Altar from Epistle side and return the Book of Epistles.
Return to seat and sit for remainder of Priest's Epistle.

Priest's Epistle (Senior Acolyte)¶

The Senior Acolyte assists the Celebrant and Deacon with the Epistle:

Lead Deacon to Approach Formation, Profound Bow.
Ascend from Epistle side to Lavabo the Deacon. Return Lavabo.
Ascend Epistle side to receive the Missal, holding it open.
Return to Approach Formation with Missal and wait for Deacon, then Profound Bow with him.
Lead Deacon to Sedilia.
Hold Missal for Celebrant at his Sedilia while he reads the Epistle.

Private Gospel¶

JA helps Celebrant stand, SA steps back to allow this.
All [[Ministers stand]], SA steps forward so Celebrant can start Gospel. All the [[Ministers]] and the JA cross themselves and face the Celebrant reading the Gospel.
SA gives Missal to the Subdeacon and helps Celebrant and Deacon sit, and then sits.

Chalice Preparation and Pre-Gospel¶

Junior Acolyte:
- Lead Subdeacon (with Missal) to Approach Formation, Profound Bow.
- Lavabo Subdeacon from Epistle side. Return Lavabo.
- Return to Epistle side to assist the Subdeacon with the Humeral Veil.
- Return to right square of Approach Formation and wait for Subdeacon to descend with the Chalice. Profound Bow.
- Lead Subdeacon to Celebrant. Retrieve cruets from Presbytery#Niche and stand at Subdeacon's left side.
- Celebrant inspects and blesses the cruets:
  - Subdeacon: Benedictio.
  - Deacon: Words. #liturgy-todo
  - Celebrant: More words. #liturgy-todo
  - JA: Amen.
- Deacon and Subdeacon prepare the Chalice.
- Return the cruets to Presbytery#Niche, then return to Subdeacon's right side.
- Lead Subdeacon to Approach Formation, Profound Bow with Thurifer behind.
- Ascend Epistle side to help fold Humeral Veil.
- Return to Approach Formation on right square and wait for Subdeacon, who will have Book of Gospels.
- Profound Bow. Lead Subdeacon to Sedilia to hand Book of Gospels to Deacon.
- Stand off to the side with the SA while Deacon receives blessing.
- With SA, lead Ministers to Approach Formation.
Senior Acolyte:
- Sit until after Thurible is charged and the Subdeacon descends the Altar with Book of Gospels.
- Help Celebrant and Deacon stand.
- Stand off to the side with the JA while Deacon receives blessing.
- With JA, lead Ministers to Approach Formation.
Thurifer:
- When Subdeacon descends the Altar with the Chalice, enter the Passageway (with Crucifer) and ready the Thurible.
- Enter the Sanctuary, go to spot for Approach Formation, Genuflect.
- When the JA and Subdeacon return to the foot of the Altar, go to Celebrant.
- Say: Benedicite. Receive Celebrant's blessing for the incense, and Imposition of Incense#Standing Self Charge.
- Return to spot for eventual Approach Formation (Crucifer should join you or be there already).
- Stand until Acolytes have retrieved Processional Candles and Ministers have bowed.
Crucifer:
- When Subdeacon descends the Altar with the Chalice, enter the Passageway (with Thurifer) and ready the Processional Crucifix.
- When Thurifer starts to return from Imposing Incense, join him in Approach Formation.
  - Alternatively, just go out with the Thurifer and wait in Approach Formation while he Imposes Incense.
- Stand until Acolytes have retrieved Processional Candles and Ministers have bowed.

Peoples' Gospel¶

Acolytes Profound Bow with Ministers, other Servers stay erect.
Acolytes retrieve Processional Candles and return to Approach Formation.
Ministers bow, Servers stay erect.
Process out of Presbytery through Sanctuary to Gospel Lectern.
- Thurifer, then Crucifer flanked by Acolytes.
- Deacon and Subdeacon join. Celebrant stays at the High Altar.
Crucifer and Acolytes form up behind the Lectern, so the reader is facing them. Corpus faces the Deacon. Thurifer stands off to the side near the lectern, ready to give Thurible.
Thurifer gives Thurible to Subdeacon, gets it back, then stands behind Subdeacon for duration of the Gospel reading.
- During the Gospel reading, the Thurifer holds the Thurible in one hand.
After the reading, the Subdeacon brings the Book of Gospels to the High Altar so that the Celebrant and Deacon can kiss it.
Process back to the foot of the Presbytery, behind the Deacon and Subdeacon, Thurifer first.
T-formation with Crucifer and Thurifer still present. Acolytes Profound Bow, Thurifer Genuflects, Crucifer does a Head Bow.
Formation breaks immediately:
- Acolytes break to return Processional Candles.
- Thurifer and Crucifer return to Passageway to deposit Thurible and Processional Crucifix, then sit in Choir Stalls#High.
Acolytes return to Approach Formation. Profound Bow with Ministers.
Acolytes lead Ministers to Sedilia and help them sit.

Homily¶

Someone gives a homily, typically the Celebrant. All Servers sit for it.
Thurifer should add coals to Thurible during homily, and Imposition of Incense#At the Stand just before it's time to enter the Presbytery for the #Credo.
Homilist can return to seat, or join the upcoming Approach Formation directly from the High Ambo. Know this in advance to know the cue for the #Credo.

Credo¶

Acolytes stand and help Ministers stand.
Acolytes lead Ministers to Approach Formation, where Thurifer and Crucifer join.
Profound Bow with Ministers.
Acolytes retrieve Processional Candles, transition to T-Formation.
Celebrant intones Credo, then Swing Movement to Gospel-side Formation.
Celebrant finishes his Credo, Swing Movement to T-Formation.
Immediately break into Credo Formation.
Everyone except Crucifer Genuflects for Incarnatus Est.
Immediately after Genuflection:
- Acolytes return Processional Candles, then return to T-Formation.
- Thurifer and Crucifer break formation, return Thurible and Processional Crucifix, and return to Choir Stalls#High.
- Alternate cue: Start of choir's final Amen for Acolytes, end of choir's final Amen for Thurifer and Crucifer. #liturgy-todo which cue is better?
Crucifer duties are complete, he is effectively just a Server in choir at this point.

Offertory Verse¶

Celebrant: Dominus Vobiscum, Et cum spiritu tuo, Oremus
Swing Movement to Gospel-side Formation. Celebrant prays the verse.
Swing Movement to T-Formation.
During Offertory Verse, Thurifer should enter Passageway to prepare Thurible.

Offertory¶

T-Formation will break immediately, and Deacon and Subdeacon will ascend High Altar:
- Acolytes Profound Bow and then go to Epistle side to prepare Lavabo and wait near Presbytery#Niche.
- Subdeacon descends High Altar and waits near Presbytery#Niche with Acolytes.
- Thurifer readies Thurible and heads to the Epistle side near the Presbytery#Niche.
Thurifer assists with incense:
- Ascend Epistle side and Imposition of Incense#Celebrant, and give Thurible to Deacon. Descend Epistle side and wait near Presbytery#Niche.
- Celebrant incenses Altar. Deacon incenses Celebrant.
- Ascend Epistle side to retrieve Thurible from Deacon. Descend Epistle side. Get into T-Formation (alone) holding the Thurible AND THE INCENSE BOAT.
After Thurifer descends, Acolytes assist with Lavabo:
- SA gives finger towel to Deacon.
- JA gives basin and ewer to Subdeacon.
- Deacon and Subdeacon Lavabo the Celebrant.
- Acolytes ascend from Epistle side to retrieve finger towel (SA) and Lavabo (JA).
- Acolytes descend and place on Presbytery#Niche.
- Acolytes join Preface Formation (Thurifer and Ministers already there).

Preface¶

Immediately after entering Preface Formation and bowing with the SA, JA leaves to retrieve Hand Bells, then returns to Preface Formation, placing them on the bottom step of the High Altar.
When JA leaves to get the bells, Thurifer Imposition of Incense#Standing Self Charge.
Celebrant: Per Omnia Saecula Saeculorum...
At Sursum Corda:
- Deacon and Subdeacon face each other, SA and JA face each other, Moderate Bow.
- Deacon and SA face each other, Subdeacon and JA face each other, Moderate Bow.
- Deacon, Subdeacon, SA, and JA face Thurifer. All five Moderate Bow.
- Thurifer incenses: Subdeacon twice, Deacon twice, SA once, JA once. When being incensed, one does a Head Bow.
- All five Moderate Bow.
- All return to Preface Formation facing East, including Thurifer.

Sanctus¶

JA kneels to pick up the Hand Bells, and stands.
At Celebrant's intonation of Sanctus, JA performs three short bell rings, then puts down the Hand Bells.
Thurifer Imposition of Incense#Standing Self Charge.
SA and JA turn in to face each other. Each does the Sign of the Cross. Then they turn and face East.
Subdeacon will partially descend with the Humeral Veil to the JA, who helps him don it.
Immediately after, Acolytes go around High Altar to their sides and light the Sanctus Candles.
Return to Preface Formation.

Epiclesis¶

Upon returning, JA kneels to pick up Hand Bells.
Celebrant will make 5 signs of the cross over the Altar contents. JA rings the bell once.
- This may not be visible from below, so the JA should work out a cue with the Ministers (e.g. the Celebrant taps his foot, the Deacon shakes his left hand, etc.).
Deacon descends Altar to get Thurible, at which point:
- Thurifer moves forward to give Deacon the Thurible.
- When Subdeacon kneels, JA kneels on Bottom Step lined up with him, still holding Hand Bells.
- When Deacon kneels, JA kneels on Bottom Step lined up with him.
- When Acolytes kneel, Thurifer kneels on the Bottom Step the in middle.

Consecration¶

All kneel in place.
First elevation:
- JA rings bell when Celebrant's knee touches the ground.
- JA rings bell at apex of the elevation.
- JA rings bell when Celebrant's knee touches the ground (again).
Second elevation, same as first. JA sets down the Hand Bells.
Immediately after second elevation, all Servers stand when Deacon and Subdeacon stand.
Thurifer walks forward to retrieve Thurible from Deacon, Genuflects, returns the Thurible to the Thurible Stand, and returns to Choir Stalls#High.
Preface Formation (no Thurifer) through Great Amen. #liturgy-todo should this be T-Formation?

Pater Noster¶

Stand in place.
Toward end of Pater Noster, JA helps Subdeacon remove and fold the Humeral Veil.
Preface Formation.

Agnus Dei¶

Celebrant intones Pax domini sit semper vobiscum, respond Et cum spiritu tuo.
JA will ring the Hand Bells once at the start of the Celebrant's Agnus Dei. He doesn't need to set them back down.
Both Acolytes recite the Agnus Dei.
Kiss of peace: Acolytes kiss the Pax Tablet when the Subdeacon presents it, SA first.
After last kiss of peace, Acolytes stand facing the High Altar.

Priest's Communion¶

Cue: Subdeacon moves to the Gospel side
- JA takes Hand Bells, walks around High Altar to Gospel side, puts them away, then ascends and kneels next to Subdeacon, facing Celebrant.
- SA mirrors the JA on the Epistle side, leaving space for the Deacon to kneel next to him (he won't be there yet).

Choir's Communion¶

Everyone says Domine non sum dignus three times.
Acolytes kneel. Deacon and Subdeacon may receive Communion, but often they won't.
SA receives Communion, then immediately descends the Epistle side and goes Approach Formation to wait for the JA.
JA receives Communion, then immediately descends Gospel side, retrieves the Communion Cloth, and meets SA in their spots for T-Formation.
Choir Communion:
- Acolytes Profound Bow, ascend the High Altar, Profound Bow, kneel on the Top Step with space for two people in between, and then unfold and hold Communion Cloth taut between them.
- Thurifer, Crucifer, any other servers, and anyone else in choir receive Communion two by two
  - Approach High Altar in a pair.
  - Profound Bow. If another pair received Communion ahead of you, bow in sync with their second bow.
  - Kneel on step, receive, stand,
  - Profound Bow and descend in an outward motion to allow space for next pair to replace you.
After Choir Communion:
- Acolytes:
  - Fold cloth so as not to drop fragments, JA takes the cloth.
  - Stand, Approach Formation, descend, and Profound Bow, then break formation to sides of High Altar. JA deposits Communion Cloth on the way.
  - Kneel on top step of High Altar on the sides facing each other.
- Designated Paten holders (usually just the Crucifer) ready Patens and wait at foot of Presbytery for their Ministers.
- Anyone else returns to their seats in Choir Stalls#High.

Peoples' Communion¶

Paten holders accompany their Ministers and hold Patens. Everyone else remains kneeling in their places.
When there are no more communicants, Paten holders accompany Ministers to foot of Presbytery, give Patens to Ministers, and return to seats in Choir Stalls.
After Peoples' Communion, all Servers except the Acolytes remain in choir through the end of Mass.

Ablutions¶

Cue: No communicants remain. The Ministers approach the Presbytery.
Acolytes stand, move to two-person Approach Formation, Profound Bow, then walk in a pair to the Presbytery#Niche.
SA:
- Ready Lavabo, wait near Presbytery#Niche. The following can happen in either order:
  - When Deacon moves Missal to Epistle side, Lavabo him from Epistle side.
  - When Subdeacon returns cruets to JA, Lavabo him.
- Return Lavabo to Presbytery#Niche.
JA:
- Ready wine and water cruet, wait near Presbytery#Niche.
- Give cruets to Subdeacon.
- Receive cruets from Subdeacon and place in the Presbytery#Niche.
Acolytes walk in a pair to Approach Formation and Profound Bow.
Immediately leave Approach Formation to snuff Sanctus candles, then return to T-Formation.

Communion Verse¶

Celebrant, Deacon, and SA: Swing Movement to Epistle-side Formation. Subdeacon will stay behind to attend to the Chalice.
- Celebrant and Deacon may already have already completed their Swing Movement. If so, the SA does his own Swing Movement to join them.
Subdeacon attends to the Chalice Veil, JA waits for him in Approach Formation:
- Subdeacon will descend in Approach Formation.
- Genuflect with Subdeacon.
- Lead Subdeacon to Sacristy to deposit Chalice Stack. Help him fold the Humeral Veil.
- Lead Subdeacon back to Altar into Approach Formation.
- Genuflect with Subdeacon.
Senior Acolyte:
- When Communion Verse is finished. Swing Movement back to T-Formation. Subdeacon and Junior Acolyte will likely be missing.

Post-Communion Prayer and Dismissal¶

Depending on the timing, the Subdeacon and JA might not have returned. They just Genuflect and join the formation wherever they are.

Cue: Celebrant intones Dominus Vobiscum.
Swing Movement to Epistle-side Formation.
At Amen, Swing Movement to T-Formation.
Celebrant: Dominus Vobiscum. Deacon: Ite missa est.
Cue: Benedictio. Acolytes bow for the blessing and make the sign of the cross.

Last Gospel¶

Swing Movement to Gospel-side Formation.
Response and crosses at start of Gospel.
Genuflect at appropriate time with Ministers.
Swing Movement to T-Formation.

Recession¶

Immediately break T-Formation to retrieve Processional Candles.
Return to Approach Formation, Ministers will have descended the Altar and joined.
Genuflect with Ministers.
Acolytes lead Ministers out of Sanctuary through the Passageway and directly into the Sacristy. They pray Post-Mass Prayer with Ministers#Dominican Rite.
After Recession and any hymns, other Servers can approach foot of Presbytery, Genuflect, and then enter Sacristy through Passageway.

CotDR > p2c1a5p36 says the cruets start in the sacristy and come in with the chalice, but Fr. Reginald decided this would overcomplicate things. ↩