Mass & Prayer Schedule with Resources

The Ordinary Form of the Liturgy, sometimes referred to as the “Novus Ordo” or “New Mass”, was publicly released in 1969, and promulgated under the authority of Pope Paul VI. This is the Liturgy that most Catholics today are familiar with; the most notable features of the Ordinary Form are its celebration almost entirely in the vernacular, as opposed to Latin, and that the Priest commonly faces the congregation, a position known as “Versus Populum” or, “Towards the People”.

At the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, the Ordinary Form is celebrated with the utmost reverence. While the majority of the Ordinary Form is celebrated in the vernacular at the Basilica, certain Liturgical seasons and Holy days - for example, Advent, the Octave of Easter, and Pentecost - see the use of Latin during the celebration of Mass. It is also common during these Liturgical seasons for the Priest to adopt the traditional “ad Orientem” position, in which the Priest joins the congregation in facing “Liturgical East”.

For more information on the traditional posture of ad Orientem, click here.

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Mass are offered alongside each other at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, allowing for a mutual enrichment of forms that Pope Benedict XVI encouraged in his 2007 motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum.

See The Joy of Tradition Catechetical Library for more information on the beautiful, traditional expressions of our Catholic faith.

In a Missa Cantata, the priest chants the Scriptures and prayers. The assembly sings the responses. The schola cantorum (“school of singers”) sings the chants proper to the day and may offer additional sacred music for meditation. The Ordinary parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei) are led by the schola cantorum in either Gregorian chant or a choral arrangement. If these parts are chanted, the congregation is invited to join in singing.

A Missa Solemnis, or solemn high Mass, features the same traditional elements as a Missa Cantata, with additional ministers and ceremonial elements, including a deacon to sing the Gospel and the dismissal and a subdeacon to sing the Epistle.

Though the Extraordinary Form of the Mass is wrapped in mystery and uses unfamiliar language, we invite each and every one of you to experience the beauty and sacredness of this ancient form of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is so important to our Catholic history and tradition. This is the Mass that underlies, instructs, and informs the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite that most Catholics experience today. It may take a little effort to grow comfortable with it. However, it is an opportunity to experience the tradition, music, and mystery of our Faith.