Return to Latin Mass vs. English

[ajpirc]

As I read through all of the responses, pro and con, a thought is occurring to me. I think maybe, for those like me who are rather intimidated by the idea of the entire mass in Latin all of a sudden, a gradual return to Latin would be somthing that is not so frightening. I think my biggest fear is that, now that I’m back after being gone so long, I don’t want to lose what I have, And if I can’t understand the mass, how can I participate? So what about gradually introducing Latin back to the Liturgy? Start with, maybe, the Agnus Dei. Who can’t love that - it’s absolutely beautiful! Then maybe the Lord’s Prayer. Just one thing at a time, slowly so we can adjust to the change and really learn the language so we don’t end up feeling like outsiders. Probably by the end of a year, maybe two, we would be doing the entire mass in Latin. I know if my church started off that way, and maybe offered some classes too, I would be very open to the idea.

I think a gradual change is what is happenning. Pope Benedict didn’t say, “Here’s the Tridentine Mass, you better like it because we’re taking the Novus Ordo away.” Instead, it was more of him saying, “Here’s the Tridentine Mass to attract you to it’s beauty. If you don’t feel comfortable with the original Mass, then here is the Novus Ordo to help you feel comfortable with the original Mass being around.” That’s what it is; gradually moving back to the Tridentine (Latin) Mass.

But I still prefer the priest facing the congregation from behind the altar. Again, it’s all about feeling a part of the worship.

With my opinion, I would have to disagree with you on this one. When the priest faces toward the lay faithful, it seems as though he is offering Christ TO US on the FATHER’S BEHALF. But when the priest faces away from the lay faithful, it seems as though he is offering Christ TO THE FATHER ON OUR BEHALF.

I think when the priest faces toward the laymen it creates a feeling of selfishness and pride among them and their hearts are saying, “Look how the priest is offering the greatest sacrifice to offer to ME!” While when he faces away, the laymen feel selflessness and humility among themselves and their hearts are saying, “Look how this man is offering the greatest sacrifice to offer away from me, but to the Father on my behalf because I am not worthy to offer it.”

This is what it seems like to me. The body language of the priest has a major impact on what the Sacrifice feels like.