LINCOLN (SNR) – A weekly Missa cantata (Latin for “sung Mass”) is celebrated each Saturday at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln.
The Mass is celebrated by Cathedral rector Father Justin Wylie in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite (often called the “Traditional Latin Mass”) at 8:15 a.m. each week. The first such Mass was celebrated Jan. 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. 
The Mass was requested by parishioners and added to the Cathedral’s regular weekly schedule of Masses, in a slot that did not previously have a scheduled Mass, so as not to “remove” other liturgies, according to Father Wylie. The first Missa cantata had more than 40 attendants, and attendance has been growing.
Father Wylie, a native of South Africa, has lived and worked in many countries and said he was glad to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass when asked.
“I would celebrate a charismatic Mass, a neo-catechumenal Mass; my African Masses were three hours,” he said. These different liturgies permitted by the Church, and being celebrated in the diocesan cathedral, he explained, was “very significant.”
“It speaks of the universality and diversity of the Church,” he said.
Jacob Bauer, who has assisted as a server at the Mass, said those unfamiliar with the extraordinary form are welcome to attend.
“If this is your first time to this form of the Mass,” he advised, “just soak it in, watch, and let it lead you to prayer. Let yourself get lost in the beauty and let it take you away.
“The elements of the liturgy are designed to incline us to the worship of God in the context of that particular liturgical action,” he continued. “If you, like a mechanical gear, lock into the liturgy and let it take you where it wills, you will be praying the Mass in the very way that the Church most ardently intends for us to.”
Bauer explained that the liturgy will give people “glimpses of what coming into contact with God is like—transcendent, beautiful, reverent, slow, intimate, and sometimes hard to understand.”
“In the same way that we don’t come to comprehend God in our first experience with Him,” he explained, “it takes time and persistence to get to know the liturgy and deepen one’s love for it over time.”
Small missalettes are available in the back of the church to allow participants to spend time with the prayers of the Mass as it is going on, he added. And, “there will be plenty of people after Mass who would be exceedingly glad to help you come to know this form of the Mass better,” he assured.
Bauer is one of two volunteers leading the singing of the propers of the Mass. He said anyone interested in singing, serving, helping in any way, or those who have any questions, may contact him after the Saturday Masses, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
