⁽⁵⁾ What is High, Low and Broad Church within Anglicanism

Low Church is a set of beliefs and liturgies that encompass an open church concept that seeks a common ground for all believers. While the liturgy and prayers are strong in the beliefs of the church, the practice of said liturgies and prayers are less ritualistic than those of High and Broad Church. Anyone of any denomination would be comfortable at low church, All the core elements are intact, with the concentration placed on the word or music and not on pomp/circumstance. Low Church concentrates on participation of the individual. Low Church may lean more evangelistic because of the concentration on the word.

High Church by definition is more structured and stylized. High Church is highly ritualistic, with much pomp and circumstance. This would include a longer stylized entrance procession, Cleansing (Asperges and Thurifer) and many of the ancient postures of penitence. The High Church liturgies may be spoken or sung. The beauty and elegance of a well executed High Church cannot be overstated. High Church concentrates on the praise of the Trinity and less on participation.

Broad Church today is best defined by the term via media (middle way). It is a composite middle ground between High Church and Low Church. Broad Church may be more liberal in it’s beliefs and liturgies. Broad Church is a happy medium between evangelical practices and stylized ritual. Broad Church is a balance of praise for the Trinity and participation.

⁽⁶⁾ Old/Independent Catholic High Mass and Low Mass as defined for usage within the UECC.

In the tradition of the original Latin Mass, once called the Tridentine, High and Low Mass were clearly defined.

In the original Latin structure, High mass (or Solemn Mass) was usually a sung mass, with most parts sung or chanted by priest and choir. It was highly ritualistic, with full pomp and circumstance; this included usage of the Aspergillum and Thurifer.

While by definition the Latin Mass was recited in Church Latin, this organization fully support the usage of the Tridentine Mass in the vernacular. There are few today, outside of scholars and clergy, that have full knowledge of the Latin language.

High mass traditionally was supported by one or more priests and servers assisting the celebrant.

This organization supports a single priest and server to perform what we call High Mass. This may be spoken or sung in the local tongue. As long as the pomp and circumstance of High Mass is kept intact, this is acceptable practice.

Low Mass in the Tridentine format was defines as those services with one priest. By definition that was automatically Low Mass. Low mass usually was not sung and executed in the vernacular. There may or may not exist the usage of the Aspergillum and Thurifer.

Novus Ordo, the newest mass of post 1962 changes, has no exacting mechanism to define High Mass and Low Mass. The definition is ambiguous. None the less we as an organization will define High and Low Novus Ordo for our usage:

High mass will be defined as the Novus Ordo executed with the pomp and circumstance of full entrance procession, Aspergillum and Thurifer usage, and may be sung, chanted or recited in the common tongue. It is acceptable, with respect to the constraints of this organization, that it is acceptable for one priest and server to execute High Mass. While multiple ministers are not required, if the celebrant has more than one server this would be most acceptable

Low Mass will be defined simply as the execution of the Novus Ordo without one of these elements; the pomp and circumstance or being a Non Communion service.

To extent our definition more clearly for Novus Ordo we will set down these terms:

• Solemn Mass – High Mass that is sung or chanted with pomp and circumstance.
• High Mass – High Mass that is spoken with pomp and circumstance.
• Low Mass – spoken, no pomp/circumstance, with or without communion.