Are Some People Afraid Of The Latin Mass?

[I_Believe]

I grew up in the old church you speak of. Yes, I have some bad memories being taught by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth at Most Blessed Sacrament in Louisville, Ky. I was a boy who, unknown at the time, was dyslexic. My problems were especially in Math. The nuns did not make it easy for me. If you had difficulties in a subject then you were subject to ridicule. For years it left me bitter towards my Catholic upbringing. I did not know I had problems with Math until I had myself tested while I was a senior in college. What a relief it was to finally know that it was not my fault. Now, that I am in my 50’s I am alble to put all the bad feelings behind me and move on. I cannot change the past. However, I still have fond memories for the Latin Mass. In my day we had to recite all the prayers e.g. the Apostles Creed, the Confeditor etc. Now, I am attending a FSSP run church, and I love it. It makes me proud once again to be a Catholic. I believe Catholics stood out before Vatican two. We had our pomp and circumstance. The whole Mass was grand, music and all.

Probably remember Fr Pank, GRHS, pounding on the pulpit demanding more money too ?

How about hearing him tell someone leaving before the Mass was over to get their rear ends back in a pew until it was ?

MBS always took first place in total donations for the Crusade For Children. Remember that ?

 

[humble_in_doubt]

religion is just a collection of men my friends … nothing more. It’s subject to all the stupidity and emotive insanity that mankind can muster, just like everything else. Therefore you shouldn’t be surprised that some men you’ve ran into in life have sorely disappointed you.

Like any country is only as good as its citizens, a church is only as good as its clergy. If you think that some invisible man will sway you or others to act one way or the other – you will always be disappointed.

 

[brotherhrolf]

Perhaps “dead language” was an overstatement … but come on folks it’s hardly anyone’s vernacular these days? Moreover, perhaps less than 5% of people in the western world can understand ancient Latin well enough to digest a Latin mass with any degree of accuracy.

And therein you fall into the trap that “we didn’t understand Latin” or “can’t understand Latin”.

Excuse me. I’m 57 and not dead yet. I grew up with the Mass in Latin. I was an altar boy too. We had missals with the Latin on the left side of the page and English on the right. As an altar boy we had laminated cards with the same info on the altar.

Over the years, one begins to understand cognates. Do I need to speak Latin? Nope. I wanted to take Latin in high school but my folks put their foot down and said “take something more practical”. So I took Spanish. Even more cognates

You can pontificate all you want but I have the “been there, done that” medal. We did indeed know what we were saying. I have said it. Others have said it and we will continue to say it before the cows come home.

Pssst. Let me let you in on a little secret. I am fluent in reading Spanish. I passed the GSFLT for my masters in anthropology. Can I speak Spanish? Sorta, kinda, haltingly, with great embarrassment. Same principle.

We knew what was being said because we had our mother’s pointing out Latin-English from the time we were at the end of the second grade when we all made our First Communions and were given our first missals.

 

[humble_in_doubt]

Hey … if it floats your boat then lobby your church to return to the Latin Mass. As I said I think it would be an unwise move for the CC, but I’m no longer a religious man so I guess at the end of day it’s not really my concern.

I’m more concerned with the betterment of mankind, which I suppose religion could facilitate (though I’d rather our betterment come through reality – I wouldn’t complain too much if mythology helps bring it about).

 

[brotherhrolf]

Engage me in dialogue. I am a Catholic anthropologist who grew up before Vatican II. Shall we discuss mythology? The psychic unity of humankind?

Instead of being so contemptuous, how about engaging the grey matter? One of the core beliefs of anthropology is participant obeservation. Ever been to a Latin Mass? Ever observed how the folks in the pew behave?

Precisely how many hours in anthro do you have to so cavalierly dismiss an entire body of knowledge because it does not suit your defininiton of “mythology”.

Come, sir. Let us reason together. I am a subject matter expert. I grew up before Vatican II. I have 13 years of Catholic education under my belt along with BAs in History and Anthropology and a MA in anthropology. I am more than willing to engage you in dialogue.

The “betterment of mankind”. How noble and how utterly contemptuous and consdescending. Let us reason together.

 

[humble_in_doubt]

Engage me in dialogue. I am a Catholic anthropologist who grew up before Vatican II. Shall we discuss mythology? The psychic unity of humankind?

Instead of being so contemptuous, how about engaging the grey matter? One of the core beliefs of anthropology is participant obeservation. Ever been to a Latin Mass? Ever observed how the folks in the pew behave?

Precisely how many hours in anthro do you have to so cavalierly dismiss an entire body of knowledge because it does not suit your defininiton of “mythology”.

Come, sir. Let us reason together. I am a subject matter expert. I grew up before Vatican II. I have 13 years of Catholic education under my belt along with BAs in History and Anthropology and a MA in anthropology. I am more than willing to engage you in dialogue.

The “betterment of mankind”. How noble and how utterly contemptuous and consdescending. Let us reason together.

I’m a lawyer not an anthropologist (and whether or not you find my academic background adequate enough to disbelieve the veracity of religion doesn’t concern me honestly).

Moreover, quoting Paul doesn’t have the same emotive impact it did when I was a younger man. Yes, we can try & reason together … but I doubt you’ll be reasonable (hopefully I’m wrong)? In the end when I don’t adopt your reasoning (as I can almost assure you will be the case) you will likely just wind up angered. At least that’s been my experience with Christians who try & “bring me back to our so called home.”

Additionally I assume this thread is not the appropriate place to discuss such a topic (if you want to create one just tell me the title & I’ll jump in … what the heck )!