ACTUAL PARTICIPATION: THE GIFT TO THE CHURCH OF THE POST-VATICAN II NORMATIVE MASS

There has been a lot of discussion on the meaning of the term “active participation” in the Mass that the Second Vatican II document on the liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium promoted.

What is active participation? One thing that the Tridentine period of the Mass got right was getting people to Mass for that is where active participation begins. Since the reforms of the Church and the Mass, in this country, there has been a dramatic drop in active participation beginning with the principle of getting as many Catholics to Mass each Sunday as possible. In 1965, more than 90% of Catholics attended Mass (no matter how attentive they were to the Mass) whereas today it could be anywhere from 5% to 20% of Catholics who attend depending on the part of our country. 

The next aspect of active participation is internal. One might not verbally sing or say anything during the Mass, but they are internalizing what they experience. In the Latin Mass, they would have a worship aid to translate the Latin into their language. They might even say silently the Roman Canon as the priest prayed it in a low voice at the altar. 

Thus two foundational aspects of active participation are 1. Being at Mass and 2. Internalizing what is being experienced at Mass.

The third aspect, which began to be promoted in the “new liturgical moment” of the early 20th century is the verbal aspect of active participation. The post Vatican II revision of the order of the Mass and new prayers added, but especially the vernacular, were all meant to increase verbal participation. If you attend the post Vatican II Mass today, one of the 5% to 20% who do, you will find the desire of the Council realized in uneven ways, from very poor to marvelous. 

All of these various aspects of “active” participation should be described as “actual participation” in every aspect of the Mass, being there, internally participating (spiritually) and physically participating, verbally and through bodily gestures. 

St. Anne’s First Friday Mass using the Votive Mass of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was a marvelous experience of the desire of the Council Fathers concerning the Mass. Our little chapel was filled. The only parts the congregation sang and in Latin were the Kyrie in Greek, the Sanctus in Latin, The Mystery of Faith in English, the Great Amen in Hebrew and the Agnus Dei in Latin. I chanted the English propers, Introit, Offertory and Communion Antiphons. 

The mass was entirely ad orientem and people knelt at the Communion Rail receiving either on the tongue or palm of the hand. 

This was a reverent Mass both vertical and horizontal, physical and spiritual. 

This is Vatican II’s gift properly experienced.