Praying in Latin

[Jane_of_Arc]

::Website Update::

The Praying in Latin website has been recently updated and more pages of prayers have been added as well as additional content throughout the site

https://sites.google.com/site/prayinglatin

That is a great website…thanks!! What I find ridiculous is the lengths some will go to to avoid Latin. Our parish offers a Mass in Spanish on Sun., a Mass in English on Sun. & a Mass in Latin on the first & third Suns. How simple it would be to hold a Latin Mass each Sun., for those who can’t speak English & those who can’t speak Spanish. It would also bring unit which our parish needs right now. We have the Spanish “group” & the Anglo “group” & it seems that “never the twain shall meet.”

Please excuse the mispellings. Our keboard is on the fritz toda.-]/-]

 

[ProVobis]

That is a great website…thanks!! What I find ridiculous is the lengths some will go to to avoid Latin. Our parish offers a Mass in Spanish on Sun., a Mass in English on Sun. & a Mass in Latin on the first & third Suns. How simple it would be to hold a Latin Mass each Sun., for those who can’t speak English & those who can’t speak Spanish. It would also bring unit which our parish needs right now. We have the Spanish “group” & the Anglo “group” & it seems that “never the twain shall meet.”

And those are only two languages in which the Mass may be said. There are parishes which have Masses in several languages. Eventually it seems everyone will be exposed to a language other than his native. So it might as well be Latin, the Church’s official language, unchanging in its meanings.

 

[una_fides]

JR, before I respond, I would like to say that I hope you enjoyed the feast of St Francis yesterday. I’m sure it was a special day for your order.

I have to admit that this has never been our experience. Since our foundation in 1209, anyone who could not pray in Latin, did not pray the breviary, but prayed the Office of the Paters or the Office Office of the Passion which St. Francis wrote in Italian for those who did not know Latin.

Source?

We don’t see Latin as a unifier.

Have you read the papal teachings on this matter? They actually say that it is. Please see this page: sites.google.com/site/prayinglatin/why-pray-in-latin/papal-teachings I also don’t think you speak on behalf of all Franciscans unless there is an official document promulgated by the Franciscans that says that Latin is not a unifier, and even if, speaking solely hypothetically, such an extraordinary statement were ever made, that would 1) not change the truth of papal teachings, to which we owe assent of our mind and will, and 2) would not automatically represent the views of every single Franciscan, and especially obviously not the traditional ones I cited in my earlier post.

Francis and Clare were not for uniformity in dress, language, apostolates, culture, or customs. They insisted tha the unifying factor was always Francis. He is the Patriarch. We approach God as his sons and daughters.

Source? Are you saying that St Francis did not espouse absolutely loyalty and fidelity to Rome? And are you also implying that Franciscans are somehow not under papal authority?

The unity is through the liturgy, not the language. We taught all of our Secular Franciscans the same way. Today, there are about 600,000 of them and they have no hunger for Latin.

I think they are missing out on a “treasure of immesurable worth” (Pope John XXIII).

One of their mandates is to spread this spirit to the laity around them, focus on the liturgy, not on the language.

Again very unfortunate. In the Latin Rite the Latin language has a vital role for the liturgy. The documents of Vatican II themselves attest to this reality, as well as every pope from then to the present day.

 

[una_fides]

I am all for praying in Latin if it brings you closer to God. In fact, If only i have access to resources, I’d want to learn (not just memorizing prayers) Latin myself as a third language.

I’m just wondering, if prayer is an encounter with God, like a meeting of two friends, or of the Lover and the beloved, how would they communicate? If the language is not familiar to the one praying, how would they speak to each other?

Great question. While we can draw similarities or metaphors from our common human experience, our communication with God is on a different level entirely than our communication with one another. Interestingly, the way we pray to God is not based or grounded in our language. It’s in our desire. God desires our love, and we express love through our desire for God and through our will to obey and love him. Prayer is defined as the elevating of our hearts and minds to the things of God. Thus, we are able to pray without even using words. Vocal prayer is actually the lowest form of prayer. We also pray through mental prayer, through meditation. These forms are intended to bring us to the highest form of prayer: contemplation, where God speaks and communicates directly with our souls. So where does Latin come into the picture? First, Latin unites us in desire in humility and docility to God’s will, which is our submission and unity to the pope. It unites us to Christ through his vicar on earth. It unites us to the many saints in the Roman Church throughout history that prayed the same prayers in the same universal language. And finally, it is able to unite all the faithful throughout the world in one shared sacred language. In addition to all of that, Latin also helps facilitate and deepen meditation.

Why Pray in Latin?

 

[una_fides]

That is a great website…thanks!! What I find ridiculous is the lengths some will go to to avoid Latin.

You are so right. It just makes sense to at least have one mass every Sunday to be a TLM. This would help reform the liturgies in every diocese as the Novus Ordo would continue to look more and more like the mass from which it was supposed to have been derived. Pope Benedict actually said that he wants the TLM in every parish. Unfortunately, there are many who labor to keep it confined to just one parish in a diocese regardless of the demand and location of these groups of the faithful. There have been many violations of the pope’s motu proprio. Hopefully at some point, Rome will intervene, but in the mean time, we must keep on praying, fasting, and making reparation, and of course, bringing these things to the attention of others. The more we talk about it and spread the truth the better.

 

[JReducation]

JR, before I respond, I would like to say that I hope you enjoyed the feast of St Francis yesterday. I’m sure it was a special day for your order.

It was very beautiful. Thank You

Source?

We still have it among the writings of St. Francis and in the Franciscan book of rituals.

Have you read the papal teachings on this matter? They actually say that it is. Please see this page: sites.google.com/site/prayinglatin/why-pray-in-latin/papal-teachings

Yes I have, but what I have said does not contradict them. I said that this has never been a problem for us and it’s not. I never said that we never use Latin.

I also don’t think you speak on behalf of all Franciscans unless there is an official document promulgated by the Franciscans that says that Latin is not a unifier,

Who’s more qualified to speak about Franciscans, you or I?

and even if, speaking solely hypothetically, such an extraordinary statement were ever made, that would 1) not change the truth of papal teachings, to which we owe assent of our mind and will, and

We’re not discussing the papal documents. We’re discussing our reality. I used this example to show that there are real people in this world who do not get hung up on this point. Archbishop DiNoia made a simmilar statement about the Dominicans and Vatican II. They have not had a problem with it.

1. would not automatically represent the views of every single Franciscan,

There are individual Franciscans who have problems with Francis himself, so I would not take that very seriously. One has to look at the larger body.

and especially obviously not the traditional ones I cited in my earlier post.

If by traditional ones you mean the Capuchins of Morgon, they are not part of the Franciscan order. They have violated the first tenet in the Testament of St. Francis, obedience to his canonically elected successors. There are no traditionalist communities of Franciscans. There are individual Franciscans who are traditionalists. That’s fine. We don’t force uniformity on people.

Source? Are you saying that St Francis did not espouse absolutely loyalty and fidelity to Rome? And are you also implying that Franciscans are somehow not under papal authority?

How did you get that form my statement? Just the opposite. Everything in our constitutions and in the original rule of Saints Francis and Clare is approved by the pope himself. We are bound to obey the pope in all matters that pertain to us. Not every statement by popes pertains to every Catholic. The same applies to liturgical law and canon law. In addition, the pope can dispense, grant indults or choose to apply something to some and not to others.

I think they are missing out on a “treasure of immesurable worth” (Pope John XXIII).

No, because no one said that they could not use Latin. What was said is that they are not to be forced to use it, because Francis did not force the early Franciscans to use it. He wrote a Liturgy of the Hours in Italian, as well as hymns and other prayers for those who did not know Latin. They used the rote prayers in Latin, like the Pater, because everyone knows that one.

Again very unfortunate. In the Latin Rite the Latin language has a vital role for the liturgy. The documents of Vatican II themselves attest to this reality, as well as every pope from then to the present day.

Again, not everything applies to us. We’re 800 years old. We have our own traditions. We don’t get hung up on that. Those who can and want to use Latin, do so. Those who cannot or do not want to use Latin, need not do so. The unifying factor for us is the Liturgy itself. We are praying together the same LOTH and offering the same sacrifice of the mass.

Why do you want us to get upset or interested in something that does not affect us?

This is the point here. There are too many people who are trying to tell others what is good for them. There is the “post Vatican II crowd” telling everyone that Latin is archaic and should be buried. Then there is the traditionalist crowd telling everyone that Latin is absolutely necessary for worship, without exception, which the Church has never said.

Leave each other alone. We need to stop telling each other what we believe should make them more comfortable or less comfortable. People can figure it out for themselves. We can invite without the pushiness.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ProVobis]

It was very beautiful. Thank You

Yes, Happy Belated St. Francis Day. They are having pet blessings over the weekend at most parishes around me.

 

[april32010]

you can eventually master the language through hard work and dedication, which when done for the purpose of pleasing God is obviously going to be very meritorious

it isn’t obvious to me,i don’t see as it is pleasing to God.i do not see as it displeasing either,its neither fish nor fowl.

 

[una_fides]

Yes I have, but what I have said does not contradict them. I said that this has never been a problem for us and it’s not. I never said that we never use Latin.

I apologize if I misunderstood what you meant. You had said, “We don’t see Latin as a unifier” and “unity is through liturgy, not the language.” I was just having trouble in my mind reconciling those statements with my understanding of the papal teachings on Latin. Could you please help clarify this for me? Are you saying that Latin is not unifying for Franciscans because it is not generally in use? Do you perhaps think it could be unifying if it was more widely used?

We’re not discussing the papal documents. We’re discussing our reality.

Understood. But would you be willing to discuss the papal documents specifically and perhaps how they can be applied in our lives as Catholics?

Those who can and want to use Latin, do so. Those who cannot or do not want to use Latin, need not do so. The unifying factor for us is the Liturgy itself. We are praying together the same LOTH and offering the same sacrifice of the mass.

Those are both very unifying. Do you believe that Latin could be beneficial and unifying if it were used more by those who have the option to use it?

Why do you want us to get upset or interested in something that does not affect us?

I did not mean to upset anyone. I just wanted to state my open agreement with the pope who called together Vatican II that Latin is “a treasure of immeasurable worth,” and with John Paul II who reiterated Cicero that it’s a shame to not know Latin. Please do not mistake my zeal and enthusiasm for Latin and for the various papal exhortations as in any way disrespectful or trying to provoke anyone to anger. I merely wish to discuss this matter based on the merits themselves as originating from the teachings of our holy Mother Church.

This is the point here. There are too many people who are trying to tell others what is good for them. There is the “post Vatican II crowd” telling everyone that Latin is archaic and should be buried. Then there is the traditionalist crowd telling everyone that Latin is absolutely necessary for worship, without exception, which the Church has never said.

In all fairness, I don’t think that to be an accurate description of the traditionalist mindset concerning Latin. I for one do not believe Latin to be absolutely necessary for worship, as eastern Rites certainly do not employ Latin, and popes have upheld their liturgies as being faithful to their traditions as handed down. The point that traditionalists are making regarding Latin is simply reiterating these papal teachings regarding the great benefits of the Latin language to members of the Latin Rite. Would you be interested to perhaps discuss some of these papal writings and how you feel they can possibly be applied or whether they only apply to certain groups, etc? I think that may be beneficial to help clear up some of the confusion.

Leave each other alone. We need to stop telling each other what we believe should make them more comfortable or less comfortable. People can figure it out for themselves. We can invite without the pushiness.

I realize that zeal and love for this amazing gift could possibly come across to someone as being “pushy” though that is certainly not the intention. Christ himself, overcome with zeal for His holy house, forcefully threw the money changers out of the temple. I’m sure the Jews thought he was crazy for doing so! Obviously no one is committing sin by not praying in Latin (unless I suppose if they were ordered to do so by their superior), but I think there are many great benefits to praying in Latin that we should all as Catholics be able to agree on. I believe Latin to be “worthy to be defended with great care” and “the richest treasure of piety” (Paul VI). I believe it to be “as relevant as ever for promoting the bonds of unity of the faith.” And consequently, I believe that we should “do all we can to promote its study and use” (John XXIII).

God bless, and I’m glad to hear you had a happy feast day yesterday.

 

[una_fides]

it isn’t obvious to me,i don’t see as it is pleasing to God.i do not see as it displeasing either,its neither fish nor fowl.

Learning the Church’s language with the intention of pleasing God and reap many benefits from praying in the Church’s sacred language is most certainly meritorious. I’m sure you would agree that it is meritorious to read Scripture right? Also it would be meritorious to work to learn how to read and understand Scripture as well for example, wouldn’t you agree?

Meriting is synonymous with rewards that we reap for our good works. Any time we do a good work in Christ with the intention of pleasing God the work is considered to be meritorious. Thus, doing something good and beneficial for our souls with the intention of appeasing the requests of popes and to grow into greater union with them and the Church would most certainly meet that criteria.

 

[JReducation]

Una Fides
I would like to clarify, because I believe that my mode of writing may have thrown the discussion in a direction that neither you nor I wanted it to go. I take full responsibility for that.

The point that I keep trying to is that we need not get so excited about the question of Latin. Here’s where I’m coming from.

The other day, I was looking through another Traditionalist site, because I’m genuinely interested in the SSPX situation. One of my good friends is an SSPX priest and is suffering very much because of this fuzzy situation in which they find themselves. To use his terms, “I feel like a mermaid, neither human nor fish.”

Anyway, I went there to see what people are saying about Archbishop Mueller’s comment, no more dialogue with the SSPX. I was horrified to see people refer to him as

“f*&%^ing trash”

“Heretic modernist”

“Not worthy of being addressed as Your Excellency”

And a few other very distasteful comments.

It always causes me concern that these same individuals scream for unity through the use of Latin and the Tridentine Form of the mass. They scream that the Church has destroyed itself, because we lost things that unified us and identified us as Catholics.

In my little world with my friars, what unites us and identifies us as Catholics is our fidelity to the Church in the manner that our Holy Father Francis taught us. Because we are faithful to the Church, we would not think of making such comments about the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Faith or anyone, especially not a bishop.

Unity in language and ritual, with hatred and condescension is not unity. It’s only window dressing. I believe that our Holy Father Francis and Clare understood this. This was the case with the Church of their time. There were many externals, but very little unity.

Monks had a lot of structure within the monastery, but they were not involved in the pastoral care of souls. That’s not the vocation of a monk. There were no such people as diocesan priests. There were secular priests who were connected to the bishop who ordained them, but there was not the unity and structure that we call a diocese. These men were not well educated, even though they celebrated the sacraments in Latin and many lived in public sin.

When Francis comes around, he’s not interested in these external structures. He’s interested in a life of penance, prayer, poverty, brotherhood, service and fidelity to the Gospel. He did several things to make it easier for men and women to join him. He banned Gregorian chant from the mass and the LOTH. This eliminated the religious hierarchy that was found in monasteries, where the priests were the choir monks and the lay brothers were their servants. In Francis new family, everyone was a brother, be he a priest, cook, lawyer, bishop, preacher or teacher. They all prayed and worked together.

Then peasants began to join. This created another problem. Many did not know how to read. Francis taught them the Pater Noster and gave them the Office of the Paters. Merchants joined. These knew how to read, but did not read Latin. Francis wrote the Office of the Passion in Italian for them. Later, when secular men and women asked to join, Francis created a rule for them and gave them the Breviary for those who knew Latin, the Paters for those who did not know how to read and the Office of the Passion for those who could only read in Italian.

In order to bring all of these people together in worship, our masses were celebrated in Latin, with plain chant, and our hymns were first in Italian and French, which Francis wrote fluently and later translated into other languages. One of the most famous ones is All Creatures of Our God and King.

My point is that we need to focus on what truly unites us, which is charity, not language.

Latin certainly has a place of preference in the Latin Church and it should never be lost. It’s part of our patrimony. The Holy Fathers are very clear on this. We support them on that. There are times when Latin is very convenient, especially when you have an international crowd.

For example, in 2009, we celebrated our 800th birthday. Every branch of the male Franciscans was asked to send a delegation from each country. There are 112 branches of Franciscan men and we are in 144 nations. There were more than 30 languages there. The mass was in Latin and the homily was in Spanish, because the Spanish speaking Franciscans are the largest group. The readings were in Italian, because the Italian Franciscans were hosting the chapter. Some parts were in English, which is another large language group.

With all of the problems in the world around us and in the Church, the language of prayer is very low on the ladder of priorities for most religious orders and most dioceses. This does not mean that we do not use it or that we have something against it. It simply means that we do not put too much energy into it. We put more energy into teaching orthodox theology to our men, strengthening our fraternal bonds, being faithful to the Holy Father even when he asks of us things that we don’t like, being faithful to our founder, working hard to return to the original way of life that we had in the 13th century, and working hard to serve the people of God.

We are united by those things. I believe that the man in the pew has just as much responsibility as do friars in these areas. What I see is a greater preoccupation with things like Latin, veiling, CITH or COTT, EF vs OF.

 

[JReducation]

Then there is a hatred between members of one faith that you can cut with a knife. There is rarely a discussion on CAF that does not tear down RCIA and other religious education programs, but never one that offers solutions or anyone who says, “Hey, we have a good program.”

If one brings up theology, everyone jumps to quote documents. Documents are not theology. They are based on theology. Without the background, the document can be confusing. But when priests, brothers and deacons have tried to explain the background, they have been silenced. We had about 20 priests, brothers and deacons that frequented TC Forum. Today, there are one Carmelite and myself. I’m here, because I gave myself this assignment when I was told that I do not have long to live, unless I take it easy. I’m not one to sit around. I’ve always taught theology. I decided to do online ministry.

Sorry for the long post folks, but I believe, that I owe you an explanation, in justice. It was my fault that Una Fides was slightly upset. I did not explain myself well. I was trying to say that we have bigger problems than language and I don’t believe that praying in the same language is the highest priority right now. It’s helpful, but not an emergency. However, charity, patience, and goodwill are emergencies.

Actually, I teach grade 6 CCD and I teach the kids the entire EF and OF in Latin, as well as their daily prayers. I also teach the EF at the seminary, one semester per year.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[OraLabora]

Learning the Church’s language with the intention of pleasing God and reap many benefits from praying in the Church’s sacred language is most certainly meritorious. I’m sure you would agree that it is meritorious to read Scripture right? Also it would be meritorious to work to learn how to read and understand Scripture as well for example, wouldn’t you agree?

Meriting is synonymous with rewards that we reap for our good works. Any time we do a good work in Christ with the intention of pleasing God the work is considered to be meritorious. Thus, doing something good and beneficial for our souls with the intention of appeasing the requests of popes and to grow into greater union with them and the Church would most certainly meet that criteria.

Well, we must of course devote time to learning the essentials of our faith and practicing some daily devotionals, but also in works of charity, all the while not neglecting our duties. IMHO a balanced life is the most meritorious to live, balanced between the duties that God gives us, and the need to care for ourselves, which includes rest, recreation, exercise, etc. In fact at the heart of the Benedictine way of life is seeking that balance.

Put in practical terms: most of us have families, day jobs, obligations, commutes, caring for elder parents, and a whole list of things that eat up our time. At some point one has to make choices about what to do with that time, including what little free time one has. Certainly one can learn church Latin in that time, if one feels truly motivated. But that should not make one feel superior to the person who chooses to use his recreational time say, for practicing a sport or hobby, doing volunteer work, etc. If Latin is your “hobby” and to some extent it is for me, as I love Gregorian chant and put a fair bit of my spare time into it including when I recite the LOTH, then that’s fine up to a point.

If one has the time to learn Latin I think one should look at it less from the point of view of meriting something, and more from the point of view of gratitude that you have the time (and ability) for it. Not everyone is so fortunate, and we shouldn’t somehow elevate ourselves over those who aren’t so fortunate just because we’ve had the opportunity and ability to do it. I think if someone choses to do say volunteer work in a hospice with their free time, instead of learning Latin, well, I certainly think that’s “meritorious”, in fact probably even more so because that person is living Matthew 25. If another person has type II diabetes and his doctor told him to exercise, and he uses that time for exercise, then that’s equally meritorious and a form of prayer in itself because that person is caring for the most precious gift God bestowed on him, his life, and showing gratitude for it.

There are many ways to please God and I would risk saying that some of those ways, particularly works of charity and mercy, are far more pleasing to Him than learning Latin. Again, Matthew 25 comes to mind.

So I guess this is a long-winded way of saying that learning Latin IMHO shouldn’t be exalted in any special way, but rather something one should be grateful for having the opportunity to do. If not, it simply becomes a form of spiritual pride, which is not particularly meritorious.

 

[Denise1957]

Why Pray in Latin?

From the above website:

"Why Pray in Latin?

Pope Benedict is urging all Catholics to pray in Latin! Just 2 months after his elevation to the papacy, Benedict XVl declared that all Catholic should learn to recite the most common prayers in Latin. But why would the pope, Christ’s representative on earth, urge every Catholic person to pray regularly in Latin?

• Latin is the preferred language of prayer for the Church.
• Popes throughout history have unwaveringly embraced and defended the Latin language.
• The devil hates Latin."

sites.google.com/site/prayinglatin/why-pray-in-latin

---

 

[Denise1957]

The other day, I was looking through another Traditionalist site, because I’m genuinely interested in the SSPX situation. One of my good friends is an SSPX priest and is suffering very much because of this fuzzy situation in which they find themselves. To use his terms, “I feel like a mermaid, neither human nor fish.”

Anyway, I went there to see what people are saying about Archbishop Mueller’s comment, no more dialogue with the SSPX. I was horrified to see people refer to him as

“f*&%^ing trash”

“Heretic modernist”

“Not worthy of being addressed as Your Excellency”

And a few other very distasteful comments.

It always causes me concern that these same individuals scream for unity through the use of Latin and the Tridentine Form of the mass. They scream that the Church has destroyed itself, because we lost things that unified us and identified us as Catholics.

In my little world with my friars, what unites us and identifies us as Catholics is our fidelity to the Church in the manner that our Holy Father Francis taught us. Because we are faithful to the Church, we would not think of making such comments about the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Faith or anyone, especially not a bishop.

Unity in language and ritual, with hatred and condescension is not unity. It’s only window dressing. I believe that our Holy Father Francis and Clare understood this. This was the case with the Church of their time. There were many externals, but very little unity.

I am sorry that your SSPX priest feels like a mermaid. Believe me, I understand where he’s coming from.

Regarding the terrible comments on a traditionalist site, I ask you to please try to understand their situation. Yes, it is wrong to make such comments. But try to understand, please, that when a certain subgroup, or say, even an ethnic or racial minority group in society experiences prejudice and ill-will against them, they don’t always take it well, and they may lash out from past and present hurts. Certainly those who love and are attached to the TLM and all associated aspects HAVE most certainly been marginalized, in the past and in the present.

It’s wonderful that in your world of friars, you do not experience these problems. But how much marginalization and prejudice do you experience at the hands of fellow Catholics? Are the majority of your fellow Catholics always telling you and your friars that you are wrong for following in the footsteps of St. Francis? Probably not. Most likely, most of your fellow Catholics are respectful of your Franciscan vocation. But this is not the case with those who love the TLM.

I ask of you to please love and pray for those who say hateful things, and to forgive them. It is not the fault of the Latin Language, but rather human weakness.

 

[choliks]

My point is that we need to focus on what truly unites us, which is charity, not language.

Latin certainly has a place of preference in the Latin Church and it should never be lost. It’s part of our patrimony. The Holy Fathers are very clear on this. We support them on that. There are times when Latin is very convenient, especially when you have an international crowd.

For example, in 2009, we celebrated our 800th birthday. Every branch of the male Franciscans was asked to send a delegation from each country. There are 112 branches of Franciscan men and we are in 144 nations. There were more than 30 languages there. The mass was in Latin and the homily was in Spanish, because the Spanish speaking Franciscans are the largest group. The readings were in Italian, because the Italian Franciscans were hosting the chapter. Some parts were in English, which is another large language group.

With all of the problems in the world around us and in the Church, the language of prayer is very low on the ladder of priorities for most religious orders and most dioceses. This does not mean that we do not use it or that we have something against it. It simply means that we do not put too much energy into it. We put more energy into teaching orthodox theology to our men, strengthening our fraternal bonds, being faithful to the Holy Father even when he asks of us things that we don’t like, being faithful to our founder, working hard to return to the original way of life that we had in the 13th century, and working hard to serve the people of God.

We are united by those things. I believe that the man in the pew has just as much responsibility as do friars in these areas. What I see is a greater preoccupation with things like Latin, veiling, CITH or COTT, EF vs OF.

This bounced around in my head, while I read the whole thread.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Meritous of what? How is learning to pray in a certain language meritous? Do you really think God is impressed by one’s language skills? Did Jesus become man to teach us a language? Is language a path to salvation?

Sorry, but all these claims about Latin as a language sounds more befitting a cult than a true religion.

 

[Denise1957]

Meritous of what? How is learning to pray in a certain language meritous? Do you really think God is impressed by one’s language skills? Did Jesus become man to teach us a language? Is language a path to salvation?

Sorry, but all these claims about Latin as a language sounds more befitting a cult than a true religion.

If it isn’t meritorius, then why would Pope Benedict XVl say that all Catholics should pray in Latin?

 

[JReducation]

If it isn’t meritorius, then why would Pope Benedict XVl say that all Catholics should pray in Latin?

Because it’s convenient and it’s part of Catholic culture. I’ll give you a simple example, this is a pope who celebrates his private mass in German and who writes his encyclicals in German and gives them to someone to translate into Latin. He, himself, is not a fluent speaker of Latin. I can certainly read and understand it. I’m sure that he can write in Latin, but he’s not sure enough to write an encyclical.

Many of us who studied in Rome has him for a professor at some time or another, before he became pope. We we know some things about him. All good, don’t get me wrong.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[Denise1957]

Because it’s convenient and it’s part of Catholic culture. I’ll give you a simple example, this is a pope who celebrates his private mass in German and who writes his encyclicals in German and gives them to someone to translate into Latin. He, himself, is not a fluent speaker of Latin. I can certainly read and understand it. I’m sure that he can write in Latin, but he’s not sure enough to write an encyclical.

Many of us who studied in Rome has him for a professor at some time or another, before he became pope. We we know some things about him. All good, don’t get me wrong.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

No, I think it’s more than that. The Pope wants us to pray in Latin. Therefore praying in Latin is not a bad thing. If we are to respect the wishes of the Pope, it would be a good thing to learn how to pray in Latin. Putting anyone down because they wish to pray in Latin, or because they actually say that it’s good to pray in Latin, is just wrong, and goes against the wishes of the Pope.