How Many Here Would Attend The Traditional Latin Mass If It Were Available ?

[catsrus]

It’s available in my church on the 4th Sunday of each month.
I went once because I’d heard so many wonderful things about it.
It WAS beautiful but I could not really participate because of the language barrier. (Latin, of course.)
It was a nice experience but I will stick with the one I understand and can wholly be a part of.

 

[ImpyTerwilliger]

I wish there was a Tridentine mass offered somewhere near me. :imsorry: Anyone know of one being offeded near Trenton New Jersey?

There are wonderful directories of traditional Latin Masses here and here.

 

[Holly3278]

Hey Holly where in Indiana do you live and inwhat part of the Evansville diocese I am from Vincennes but I live in Texas now do you by any chance live in vincennes or maybe some where fairly close I sure do miss vincennes and the catholic churches there that have priests who actually hold to the truth of the CATHOLIC FAITH

Hey there! Yeah, I live about 20-25 miles away from Vincennes. My priest who was just ordained last year is a very orthodox priest. He knows how to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass too. Not only that but he is going to be an actual theologian soon! Not all priests are theologians.

 

[Viceroy]

I would be interested to know the ages of the people who are for and against the Latin Mass. Are the younger Catholics more open to it? are the elders against it? That is the sense I have of the situation. The older Catholics are the ones resisting the return of the Latin rite.

 

[ProVobis]

The older Catholics are the ones resisting the return of the Latin rite.

Maybe because they carry a lot more baggage than the younger ones? Learning something is much easier than trying to relearn it 40 years later, unless there is motivation, of course.

 

[ProVobis]

Oh, if only we had had jsut the true and authentic vernacular version fo the EF!!!

There is no truer version of the EF other than its current Latin form. The Vatican may authenticitize thousands of vernaculars of the EF, if it had the resources, but none of them could convey the clarity and precision of the Latin language.

From Veterum Sapientia,

…
Furthermore, the Church’s language must be not only universal but also immutable. Modern languages are liable to change, and no single one of them is superior to the others in authority. Thus if the truths of the Catholic Church were entrusted to an unspecified number of them, the meaning of these truths, varied as they are, would not be manifested to everyone with sufficient clarity and precision. There would, moreover, be no language which could serve as a common and constant norm by which to gauge the exact meaning of other renderings.

But Latin is indeed such a language. It is set and unchanging. it has long since ceased to be affected by those alterations in the meaning of words which are the normal result of daily, popular use. Certain Latin words, it is true, acquired new meanings as Christian teaching developed and needed to be explained and defended, but these new meanings have long since become accepted and firmly established.
…

 

[CB_Catholic]

I would be interested to know the ages of the people who are for and against the Latin Mass. Are the younger Catholics more open to it? are the elders against it? That is the sense I have of the situation. The older Catholics are the ones resisting the return of the Latin rite.

I don’t see, in this particular thread, much actual resistance to to the EF, so much as people stating their preference for the OF, among those who prefer it. I am 61, so I was raised in the EF. If the Church were to return to the EF as the ordinary form of the Mass, I would accept it graciously and not put up any resistance. I don’t dislike the EF, I just prefer the OF. But I am not subject to much actual liturgical abuse, just some less than stellar music (although we only use an organ and piano for music, except for the Lifeteen Masses). Our Masses, including LifeTeen, are pretty much by the book, without innovations.

In my parish at large there has not been much of an interest in the EF, and we have pretty much of a mixture of ages. The people of my age group, whom I’ve talked to about it, are really not interested in a return. There isn’t any real hostility expressed about a return, more of non-interest, they like things the way they are. There is an FSSP parish in the Diocese, within an hour or less of driving distance from where I live, so that may be meeting the needs of the people who prefer the EF.

I don’t think you can extrapolate, from this thread, the general attitude of the majority of Catholics, even older ones, about a return to the EF. It is a very small sampling, and most of the people on these forums are a little more interested in these matters than the average parishoner. But, like I said earlier, I don’t see much actual resistance, just preferences being stated.

As an interesting side note, if you would talk to my mother, who is 83, and her friends, you would find a definite resistance to returning to the EF and the pre-Vatican II Church. I have no explanation for that, other than they felt the Church was too “controlling” back then, and too clergy-centered, and they like the Mass in the vernacular. And that’s a whole generation before me.

 

[Knight_James]

If it were available at our parish I would attend, though not sure I would always attend. I plan to attend at least one at another parish but have not carried through yet.

Bought a book from Ignatius Press, The Order of Mass According to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite: The Blessed Missal of John XXIII, prepared by Michael Sternbeck; found it quite informative and fairly easy to follow. It brought back memories of when I was a server as a boy in the 50’s and 60’s.

 

[corsair]

I attend the EF as often as possible and yes, I’m an old geiser (70), but I’m a convert. Back in 1970 I came into the church. Two weeks later I found myself totally lost in the new Mass. So for 40 years I’ve waited and now its here in my Diocese (although a very long drive). I’ve only missed Mass in all that time, but rarely.

I attend for the Liturgy and the reverence.

 

[Viceroy]

I don’t see, in this particular thread, much actual resistance to to the EF, so much as people stating their preference for the OF, among those who prefer it. I am 61, so I was raised in the EF. If the Church were to return to the EF as the ordinary form of the Mass, I would accept it graciously and not put up any resistance. I don’t dislike the EF, I just prefer the OF. But I am not subject to much actual liturgical abuse, just some less than stellar music (although we only use an organ and piano for music, except for the Lifeteen Masses). Our Masses, including LifeTeen, are pretty much by the book, without innovations.

In my parish at large there has not been much of an interest in the EF, and we have pretty much of a mixture of ages. The people of my age group, whom I’ve talked to about it, are really not interested in a return. There isn’t any real hostility expressed about a return, more of non-interest, they like things the way they are. There is an FSSP parish in the Diocese, within an hour or less of driving distance from where I live, so that may be meeting the needs of the people who prefer the EF.

I don’t think you can extrapolate, from this thread, the general attitude of the majority of Catholics, even older ones, about a return to the EF. It is a very small sampling, and most of the people on these forums are a little more interested in these matters than the average parishoner. But, like I said earlier, I don’t see much actual resistance, just preferences being stated.

As an interesting side note, if you would talk to my mother, who is 83, and her friends, you would find a definite resistance to returning to the EF and the pre-Vatican II Church. I have no explanation for that, other than they felt the Church was too “controlling” back then, and too clergy-centered, and they like the Mass in the vernacular. And that’s a whole generation before me.

Yes, “resistance” was the wrong word, the ages of those with a preference for the OF is what I am interested in. my hypothesis is that in the pre-Vatican 2 era the rock seemed to be a weight around the neck for many, but now in this age too much freedom has made society ill, and those younger people raised in such a world are seeking out the rock again because it stands in contrast to the sick world and the heaver the rock the better. I attend the TLM and am a convert from Godless confusion.

 

[ThereseForest]

I am in my middle teens, and if I had the opportunity to attend a TLM, I would do so as often as possible. I have been present at a TLM before, and it is simple for me to follow along in my bilingual missal. I understand almost no Latin, so I must pay close attention to what the priest is doing and saying, but it helps me keep my mind off other distractions and focused on God. I have been to the OF Mass, and I was greatly saddened by it. It was at Easter Sunday, two years ago, that my family went to a parish close to our home, and afterward never returned. There was a dancer there, waving incense as she glided down the isles. There was loud guitar music, everybody was clapping, holding hands, and turning to each other in greetings, during the middle of the Mass. I could not detect any reverence, no adoration for God. It seemed more like a party than a reverent celebration.
[edited]
Does anyone know if a person is allowed to request a TLM to be celebrated in the parish?

My apologies for all spelling and grammar errors.

 

[At_Trent]

I am in my middle teens, and if I had the opportunity to attend a TLM, I would do so as often as possible. I have been present at a TLM before, and it is simple for me to follow along in my bilingual missal.** I understand almost no Latin, so I must pay close attention to what the priest is doing and saying**, but it helps me keep my mind off other distractions and focused on God. I have been to the OF Mass, and I was greatly saddened by it. It was at Easter Sunday, two years ago, that my family went to a parish close to our home, and afterward never returned. There was a dancer there, waving incense as she glided down the isles. There was loud guitar music, everybody was clapping, holding hands, and turning to each other in greetings, during the middle of the Mass. I could not detect any reverence, no adoration for God. It seemed more like a party than a reverent celebration.
[edited]
Does anyone know if a person is allowed to request a TLM to be celebrated in the parish?

My apologies for all spelling and grammar errors.

Yes, you can request it. The priest must be willing and competent to pray it though.

Thank you for the part I put in bold. Your way of learning the EF is the only way. Effort. So many say they don’t think they would understand, so they dismiss the EF. It really isn’t rocket science.

I actually had a somewhat similar experience this Sunday at the EF. The Feast of the Ascension was moved to Sunday, and this year, the pastor gave the sermon instead of the priest who prayed the Mass. I’ve never been frustrated at an EF in my life. Ever. Nothing in the sermon on the Ascension itself.

 

[Ockham]

Please forgive me if this link has already been provided as I don’t have time to read the entire thread. From what I have seen there are some who believe the EF is not much more than a sentimental relic with a small yet fervent following. From polls conducted on this subject the results indicate this is not the case.

Four national polls have been conducted by Paix Liturgique: Italy, France, Germany, and most recently Portugal. Another is scheduled for England to coincide with the Pope’s visit. In summary:

• the vast majority (80%) of Catholics don’t attend Mass regularly, not even monthly
• only half of all Catholics surveyed in Italy, France and Germany were aware of Summorum Pontifcum; one in four in Portugal
• 63% of practicing Italians would attend the EF at least monthly; 34% France, 55% Germany; 44% Portugal

paixliturgique.org.uk/?force=1

 

[Ockham]

Here’s the CARA/Georgetown University survey released last year. 45% of Catholics not opposed to the EF would attend weekly if available at a convenient place and time.

cara.georgetown.edu/pr082409.pdf

 

[boatbearer]

I don’t see, in this particular thread, much actual resistance to to the EF, so much as people stating their preference for the OF, among those who prefer it. I am 61, so I was raised in the EF. If the Church were to return to the EF as the ordinary form of the Mass, I would accept it graciously and not put up any resistance. I don’t dislike the EF, I just prefer the OF. But I am not subject to much actual liturgical abuse, just some less than stellar music (although we only use an organ and piano for music, except for the Lifeteen Masses). Our Masses, including LifeTeen, are pretty much by the book, without innovations.

In my parish at large there has not been much of an interest in the EF, and we have pretty much of a mixture of ages. The people of my age group, whom I’ve talked to about it, are really not interested in a return. There isn’t any real hostility expressed about a return, more of non-interest, they like things the way they are. There is an FSSP parish in the Diocese, within an hour or less of driving distance from where I live, so that may be meeting the needs of the people who prefer the EF.

I don’t think you can extrapolate, from this thread, the general attitude of the majority of Catholics, even older ones, about a return to the EF. It is a very small sampling, and most of the people on these forums are a little more interested in these matters than the average parishoner. But, like I said earlier, I don’t see much actual resistance, just preferences being stated.

As an interesting side note, if you would talk to my mother, who is 83, and her friends, you would find a definite resistance to returning to the EF and the pre-Vatican II Church. I have no explanation for that, other than they felt the Church was too “controlling” back then, and too clergy-centered, and they like the Mass in the vernacular. And that’s a whole generation before me.

I think you are right. I don’t really see any resistance to the EF around here but I also don’t see much interest in it either.

I think some people for a variety of reasons have trouble understanding that given the choice many (and it may well be “almost all”) Catholics prefer the OF to the EF also for a variety of reasons.

I would also say the stats from this survey mean very little because the population that come to CAF are highly skewed in preferring the EF Mass. I’d bet dollars to dime that if a real sampling plan were created for this question for say the entire USA, substantially less than 5% would say they wanted to attend the EF Mass if one were available.

 

[Ockham]

I I’d bet dollars to dime that if a real sampling plan were created for this question for say the entire USA, substantially less than 5% would say they wanted to attend the EF Mass if one were available.

How about reading the CARA survey provided above rather than posting your own speculation?

 

[roadsend]

… I’d bet dollars to dime that if a real sampling plan were created for this question for say the entire USA, substantially less than 5% would say they wanted to attend the EF Mass if one were available.

Even if your assessment were correct, that would mean in my diocese for example that there are close to15,000 Catholics, whose spiritual needs can not possibly be met, by a single sometimes offered Sunday Mass located nearly 300 miles away from some parts of the diocese.

 

[At_Trent]

I think you are right. I don’t really see any resistance to the EF around here but I also don’t see much interest in it either.

I think some people for a variety of reasons have trouble understanding that given the choice many (and it may well be “almost all”) Catholics prefer the OF to the EF also for a variety of reasons.

I would also say the stats from this survey mean very little because the population that come to CAF are highly skewed in preferring the EF Mass. I’d bet dollars to dime that if a real sampling plan were created for this question for say the entire USA, substantially less than 5% would say they wanted to attend the EF Mass if one were available.

Over 75% say yes and that tells you not much interest ?

You are not taking into account that the SP isn’t even 3 years old yet, many Bishops frowned on the EF while it was subject to indult, many still do in spite of it, and for 40 years, the majority of Catholics know nothing but the OF.

Much too soon to say what the effect of the SP will be, but the ball is rolling and as time passes, the number of EF Masses will grow.

No this poll isn’t the definitive indication of Catholics in general, but to say that the members who post here on CA are skewed toward the EF is absurd. Look at the number of those who voted yes and also replied. Look at the number who voted no and replied. A much higher % of those voting no have replied.

Considering the reasons given for voting no, many of which are due to a lack of understanding how to follow the EF, and the lack of them being “jumped on”, I’d hardly think the members here are skewed as you say.

There are parishes beginning to offer the EF in a lot of places. The pace seems to be picking up.

Look what is happening in Brazil
newliturgicalmovement.org/2010/05/usus-antiquior-pontifical-mass-at.html

 

[At_Trent]

Even if your assessment were correct, that would mean in my diocese for example that there are close to15,000 Catholics, whose spiritual needs can not possibly be met, by a single sometimes offered Sunday Mass located nearly 300 miles away from some parts of the diocese.

Excellent point.

 

[mickeycz]

My church sometimes sings the Agnus Dei partially in Latin. It is not a huge deal. It is the same Mass regardless, just with a correct wording when done in Latin.