How common is the Latin Mass in the US?

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Tim_D said:
Is not every Mass, regardless as to the form or the language, for the glory of God?
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Yes, of course. But just as the Church implemented a new order of Mass based on miniscule demand in the 1960s, why could the same not happen where the old Mass is reasserted in the same manner? I’m not saying that it is likely to happen like that, but there is a precedent.
 
Tim_D said:
… especially taking into consideration that most priestly formation does not even require the learning of Latin.
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On the contrary,
Can. 249 The Charter of Priestly Formation is to provide that the students are not only taught their native language accurately, but are also well versed in latin, and have a suitable knowledge of other languages which would appear to be necessary or useful for their formation or for the exercise of their pastoral ministry.
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Also read Veterum Sapientia.
 
R_H_Benson said:
Yes, of course. But just as the Church implemented a new order of Mass based on miniscule demand in the 1960s, why could the same not happen where the old Mass is reasserted in the same manner? I’m not saying that it is likely to happen like that, but there is a precedent.
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It wasn’t a “minuscule demand in the 1960s.” The call for liturgical reform began in the late 19th century and culminated with a revision of Roman Missal under Pope Paul VI. It didn’t just come form nowhere. There isn’t a call around the world today to abandon Mass in the vernacular. It is far easier to go from the unknown to the known than the known to the unknown.
 
ProVobis said:
On the contrary
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Perhaps, but the fact of the matter is that most priestly formation does not include the learning of latin in its curriculum.

Brother JR once said that in order to reintroduce a competent knowledge of Latin into current curriculums would require the complete overhaul and elimination of other aspects of priestly formation. Should knowledge in theology or divinity be sacrificed for the learning of latin when the Ordinary Form of the Mass is celebrated in the vast majority of parishes in the local vernacular? What would be the advantage of a priest being fluent in latin when he celebrates the sacraments in the vernacular? What would be the advantage to the faithful to suddenly participate in the sacraments when they haven’t a clue as to what is being said?
 
Tim_D said:
It wasn’t a “minuscule demand in the 1960s.” The call for liturgical reform began in the late 19th century and culminated with a revision of Roman Missal under Pope Paul VI. It didn’t just come form nowhere. There isn’t a call around the world today to abandon Mass in the vernacular. It is far easier to go from the unknown to the known than the known to the unknown.
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The desire for reform was there. But the manner in which it was implemented by the Consilium was indeed a reflection of the desires of a minority. Only one perspective - the progressive one - was considered. The Congregation of Rites was barred from collaboration with the Consilium, whose head, Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, had nearly supreme authority, answering only to Pope Paul VI. He, along with a small group were virtually entirely responsible for the new order of Mass. So, yes, the desire for reform was there. But the reforms that were ratified did not reflect the mainstream liturgical thought of the Church at the time by any means.
 
R_H_Benson said:
But the reforms that were ratified did not reflect the mainstream liturgical thought of the Church at the time by any means.
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One could say the same about any political movement that represents a change from the status quo.

There are always going to be some who are unhappy. The fact of the matter is that things simply are as they are. Try as you might, you can never go back to how things used to be.
 
R_H_Benson said:
As many as their resources allow them to reach. And their seminaries are full to the brim.
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Diocesan and religious vocations are on the rise, too, especially vocations. It isn’t because of the desire to return to the latin Mass.
 
I didn’t imply that, Deacon. I implied that if there was a switch back to the TLM sanctioned by the highest authorities the motivation to do so would be for the glorification of God.
 
It would bother me more to have a high ranking Cardinal, later becoming Pope, describe it as “banal” and “fabricated.” Just sayin…
 
Tim_D said:
Diocesan and religious vocations are on the rise, too, especially vocations. It isn’t because of the desire to return to the latin Mass.
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What else changed that would trigger more vocations after a continuing decline since the 60’s?
 
ProVobis said:
What else changed that would trigger more vocations after a continuing decline since the 60’s?
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Perhaps a bottoming out of the decline?

It is well known that many seminarians today are called “John Paul II” seminarians because of the impact that the sainted pontiff had on their lives. Latin, I’m sure, had very little to do with it.
 
Tim_D said:
Perhaps a bottoming out of the decline?

It is well known that many seminarians today are called “John Paul II” seminarians because of the impact that the sainted pontiff had on their lives. Latin, I’m sure, had very little to do with it.
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But it was John Paul II who restored the 1962 Missal on the stipulation that it be said in Latin. Just sayin…

Quattuor abhinc annos
 
I apologize for putting you on the defensive here and perhaps you’re right about the “abomination” comment. But scripsit quod scripsit.
 
ProVobis said:
But it was John Paul II who restored the 1962 Missal on the stipulation that it be said in Latin. Just sayin…
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“… .it is not possible to cite either Pope Benedict XVI [insert Pope John Paul II, for that matter] or the mind of the Church as being anything less than in favor of the prescribed use of the ordinary form of the Roman Rite.” - Deacon Jeff
 
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