Low Mass

American  

noun

1. a Mass that is said, and not sung, by the celebrant, who is assisted by one server, and which has less ceremonial form than a High Mass, using no music or choir.

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Low Mass British  

noun

1. a Mass that has a simplified ceremonial form and is spoken rather than sung Compare High Mass

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Etymology

Origin of Low Mass

First recorded in 1560–70

Compare meaning

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

• High Mass vs. Low Mass

Example Sentences

A Low Mass at 8:30 a.m. with a sermon by the Rev. Jadon D. Hartsuff.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2017

A Low Mass at 8:30 a.m. and a Sung Mass with Choir at 11 a.m.

From Washington Post • Dec. 30, 2016

A Low Mass with healing rite will be celebrated at noon.

From Washington Post • Nov. 25, 2016

Instead of a solemn pontifical Mass, Paul chose to recite a simple Low Mass, to which the congregation responded rousingly in English.

From Time Magazine Archive

Low Mass, mass performed by a single priest and without musical accompaniment.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin