Can I say the people's response in Latin at Ordinary Form Masses?

[SaintBenedict]

Can I say the people’s response in Latin at the english novus ordo mass?

 

[stpurl]

Quietly to yourself? Sure.
If the Mass is itself in Latin (and yes, an OF Mass can be said in Latin), say it out loud.

Otherwise, to say ALOUD responses in Latin at a Mass that is not otherwise in Latin would be as rude as a person going to an EF and saying the responses there in the vernacular.

Common sense should dictate any response.

 

[Londoner]

As I understand it, there is nothing wrong with saying the responses quietly in your native language when you are at Mass in a language you do not understand. E.g. if you are German and you are at a Mass in Estonia you can say the responses quietly in German as a way of participating without distracting people around you. However, I gather that you do understand English. Since you do understand English, I am not sure why you would want to say the responses in Latin unless the Mass is in Latin. I think people around you would find it distracting and would assume that you were trying to make some sort of point by refusing to use the vernacular that you so obviously understand. I am not sure why you would want to participate in Mass in English by speaking a different language to everyone else. I am also not sure why you use the term “Novus Ordo”. Less controversial terms are “Mass of Paul VI” or “Ordinary Form”.

 

[SaintBenedict]

The Latin helps me to focus, but a more important reason is that it inspires me to love of God more than saying it in English. Also, I am sorry, I did not know about the last things you said about Novus Ordo.

 

[Londoner]

I’m sure you didn’t intend to cause controversy by using the term “Novus Ordo”, but people do sometimes use it in a disparaging way. I don’t doubt that some people do use it in a perfectly innocuous way, but some people use it with other intentions, which is where the controversy comes in. As I say, if you say “Ordinary Form” or “Mass of Paul VI” you are always on secure ground.

As for using Latin, I do to some degree understand what you’re saying. I have a particular fondness for the Nicene Creed in Latin. When I used to attend Mass at a university chaplaincy the Mass was in English by the Creed was chanted in Latin. I do feel that having the Creed in Latin can focus the mind more on the theology. However, when the Creed is in English I do just say it in English. To complicate matters further, I used to be an Anglican and had to know the liturgy in both the 17th-century English of the Book of Common Prayer and the 20th-century English of the Alternative Service Book, which was later replaced by Common Worship, so that’s three liturgies. And then of course in the Catholic Church we now have a relatively new English translation of the Mass. We all have our own favourite forms of the liturgy, but I think there is also something to be gained from going along with what everyone else is doing.

I’m sorry if I misjudged your motives as well. Obviously the liturgy is a hot topic for a lot of people and it’s easy to assume that when people want to use Latin it’s because they don’t accept that the vernacular is legitimate. It sounds like you have perfectly legitimate reasons for preferring to use Latin, but I honestly think that if you are going to Mass in English it is more beneficial to take part in the whole liturgy in English.

 

[BartholomewB]

Can I say the people’s response in Latin at the english novus ordo mass?

The Latin helps me to focus, but a more important reason is that it inspires me to love of God more than saying it in English.

@SaintBenedict, let’s say I ask you this question: Can I say the people’s response in English at the Latin Mass?

If you ask me why I want to do that, I explain: “The English helps me to focus, but a more important reason is that it inspires me to love of God more than saying it in Latin.”

What is your answer?

 

[dochawk]

Can I say the people’s response in Latin at the english novus ordo mass?

Not very likely, as first you would have to find one.

AFAIK, every vernacular Mass is following the updates since the Novus Ordo . . .

Also, while widely misused, the term is also taken as offensive and dismissive . . . not over accuracy (although it isn’t), but because it is more often than not used with that intent.

Also, I changed the title accordingly.

hawk

 

[ahs]

Can I say the people’s response in Latin at the english novus ordo mass?

At Mass, the congregation is supposed to be praying and responding together, in communion with one another. So, they would properly respond according to the norms of that Mass.

 

[lil_user]

Can I say the people’s response in Latin at the english novus ordo mass?

Of course you can, since as far as I know there is no rule for or against it.

However, because this is not a matter of obedience to any rubric, the question is: is doing so spiritually edifying to yourself? Is it building up pride or fostering a sense of separation from the community you find yourself in?

Can I say the people’s response in English at the Latin Mass?

Idem: I do not know of any rule for or against it. As long as you are following an approved English translation of the responses rather than making them up. But why would you do that? An example: a friend attended a TLM and did not know the Credo in Latin, so he prayed it in his native tongue. Nobody minded, he wasn’t making a point to use the vernacular or being loud, he just wanted to pray

 

[jimXroberts]

You can say them in any language you like. You may get some odd glances if you say them too loudly.

 

[Nelka]

When I’m in Poland my responses are in English.

 

[1ke]

Not very likely, as first you would have to find one.

This is not difficult. There are mass aids with the ordinary form in Latin, Adoremus comes to mind, because that is still the language of the Church. People seem to be unaware that the ordinary form IS offered in Latin. As a normal, regular mass people attend.

 

[OraLabora]

Liturgy is not “all about me”. It is the public prayer of the Church gathered as a community, whether prayed in community, or privately with the community at large. It should always be the community praying as one voice to the greatest extent possible. If I attend a public liturgy in either French, Latin or English, I will say the responses in the same language as the liturgy. In other Romance languages, if i have the text in front of me.

Otherwise I will say my part quietly, or in my heart.

I get that Latin is appreciated as a prayer language. I also find it helps me to focus better. So I chant the Liturgy of the Hours in Latin daily.

In a public assembly though, I will “go with the flow” if I can, and avoid disrupting the flow if I cannot due to a foreign language. The old saying, “when in Rome…”

 

[IdaCatholic]

Go right ahead, as long as you are not being disruptive. I do this with some responses in the Mass.

 

[tafan2]

Not in my opinion. It needs to be said quietly, but one can certainly say the replies in a different language. I travel to Mexico quite often, my Spanish is just so-so. I am able to say most responses in Spanish, with a Missal, but often I find myself just saying them whispering them in English.

 

[tafan2]

Different motivation, but in both cases it is not “when in Rome, do as Romans do”. And I am not for sure my motivation is that much different than the OP. He claimed saying it Latin helped him focus, take him at his word. The same can be said for me in Mexico saying them in English.

 

[tafan2]

Edited my post and added a thought. Cross post.

 

[IdaCatholic]

In some if our masses the responses are multilingual. On holidays our readings and responses are in several languages. Our “band” sings the Agnus Dei in english to start and then throws in some latin on a whim. So I really dont think responding in latin is to be discouraged as long as it is done respectfully.

 

[Taras_Bulba]

Mine were until I got a Polish Missal. Nie jest tak trudno!

 

[dochawk]

People seem to be unaware that the ordinary form IS offered in Latin.

That’s not the problem, though.

I’d be surprised to find a priest offering the OF in latin but using the NO of decades ago rather than the current EF . . .