High Mass

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a Mass celebrated according to the complete rite, in which the liturgy is sung by the celebrant.

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High Mass British  

noun

1. a solemn and elaborate sung Mass Compare Low Mass

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Etymology

Origin of High Mass

1100–50; Middle English, late Old English

Compare meaning

How does high-mass compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• High Mass vs. Low Mass

Example Sentences

Every Sunday morning, Fusco passes the building on his way to serve as an usher at the Latin High Mass at the Church of the Holy Innocents, on West 37th Street.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2023

High Mass on Sundays begins with holy water sprinkled up the aisle, and it features plumes of incense and the sounds of bells, a pipe organ and Gregorian chant.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

Every time another story surfaces, an unsettling thought creeps into my mind, floating around like the incense that wafts above the altar during a High Mass:

From Washington Post • May 24, 2019

The story of an African American woman who outlasts her male tormentors by finding strength in sisterhood was conducted with the intensity of a High Mass.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2018

But all they play is a program of organ music that reminds me of High Mass at the cathedral and has the same effect.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez