Why Do We Need to Celebrate the Mass in Latin?

[estesbob]

We Don’t.

 

[SenorSalsa]

Now what does that mean for us, It means that there might be travelers in OUR midsts that might not be comfortable in English. How, then are we called as Christians, to make them feel welcome. Is it by insisting that they sit there like bumps on a log because we are personally not comfortable in learning sufficent Latin to actually pray together with them?

All you have to do is look at a parish’s schedule where the 8:00 am Mass is in english, the 10:30 is in spanish, the 12:00 in polish, and the 5:30 is in Filipino.

Is there any chance that parish feels like one community? My home parish has a pretty large hispanic community, who I don’t hardly even see because they go to the Spanish Mass and have their own events (as most of them are farm workers who don’t speak English)

 

[Spirithound]

My home parish has a pretty large hispanic community, who I don’t hardly even see because they go to the Spanish Mass and have their own events (as most of them are farm workers who don’t speak English)

My home parish has an 8:30 am Mass whose attendees I don’t hardly even see because they go to the 8:30 am Mass.

 

[malphono]

My home parish has an 8:30 am Mass whose attendees I don’t hardly even see because they go to the 8:30 am Mass.

 

[Spirithound]

Any single parish already segregates themselves into 3 or 4 fairly distinct communities.

 

[malphono]

Any single parish already segregates themselves into 3 or 4 fairly distinct communities.

I must be slow today … Does that mean there are multiple Masses and you go at a different time? If it’s something else, tell me. Could be that I just can’t see the forest for the trees.

 

[Spirithound]

I must be slow today … Does that mean there are multiple Masses and you go at a different time? If it’s something else, tell me. Could be that I just can’t see the forest for the trees.

I mean that the people who go to the 5pm Mass don’t know the people who go to the 8:30 Mass, who don’t know the people who go to the 10:30 Mass, or the 12:30 Mass.

 

[Ockham]

But from my perspective, a return to the Latin Mass is a radical change from the only thing I have ever known.

Consider how radical the following must have been: The Mass that was virturally untouched for centuries, codified at the Council of Trent was one day all but bannished and a new form became the norm. Why did this happen? The Second Vatican Council did not call for it nor did Pope Paul VI.

Many of us today have the option of attending the Latin Mass if we choose, but that was not as available when the change happened.

Many prayers, the most Catholic prayers were omitted from the new Mass. Signs of reverence such as genuflecting and sign of the cross were greatly reduced.

For centuries we received Holy Communion at the altar rail from a priest - until the altar rails were ripped out and we were told to receive our Lord in our hands while standing. Although only supposed to be used in emergency, most parishes now have regularly scheduled laity distributing the Blessed Sacrament.

The altar itself was replaced with a table. The priest turned his back to God and faced us.

The liturgy was not longer presented in the official language of the Church.

The central focus was shifted from Calvary to the Last Supper.

Modern church architechture is no longer in the shape of the Cross. The tabernacle is usually off to the side or in another room altogether.

With all due respect Theophilus, it is very selfish to state that you don’t want the only Mass you know to change. Think about those who were in the pews the day all the changes happened. The Mass that was unchangeable for centuries suddenly, without warning or reason changed radically. Are we better off?

Why did the Mass change? Were we in a crisis? Was attendance down significantly, seminaries empty, catechesis lacking, devotions forgotten, Confession ignored, abuses flourishing? How about today?

People have always wanted to tinker and toy with the Mass. Martin Luther wanted the priest facing the people, using the venacular with the focus on communal supper rather than Divine Sacrifice. That is why the Church called the Council of Trent and codified the Mass. The Church recognized that the liturgy is essential to the health and prosperity of the faithful. Lex Orandi, lex credendi - as you worship so you believe.

If you believe the purpose of the liturgy is to worship God and not serve ourselves, then you need to put your own desires behind the greater good. At Matthew 16 Jesus Christ laid the foundation of His Church and for nearly two thousand years His liturgy remained unchanged. Forty years after its debut we should all ask ourselves who’s will is being served at the new Mass and what fruits are we now known by.

Read Iota Unum by Romano Amerio or The Rhine flows into the Tiber for an understanding of the changes post V2. The Mass of All Time by Archbishop Lefevbre gives a detailed comparison between the two forms and theological basis in the Mass.

 

[Lepanto]

However, the Mass is offered in Latin to those who wish to celebrate in Latin, which is as it should be.

My guess is that 0.001% of all Masses offered on any given day around the world are EF. And I’d also guess that Catholics who actually go to Mass every Sunday (actual practicing, devoted Catholics) have absolutely no idea that the EF is even offered anywhere or even what it is. Not everybody reads this forum or subscribes to the Adoremus Bulletin.

For myself, I have to drive well over an hour (passing probably 100 OF parishes) to the other side of my large urban area to attend an EF Mass.

Let’s keep this in perspective.

 

[Brendan]

All you have to do is look at a parish’s schedule where the 8:00 am Mass is in english, the 10:30 is in spanish, the 12:00 in polish, and the 5:30 is in Filipino.

Is there any chance that parish feels like one community? My home parish has a pretty large hispanic community, who I don’t hardly even see because they go to the Spanish Mass and have their own events (as most of them are farm workers who don’t speak English)

Our parish is half Slovak. They have an 11:30 Mass in Slovak, while we normally go to the 9:30am English Mass. Occassionally, such as a special occasions, such as the Corpus Christi Mass and procession, or if one of the two priests is on vacation, the Masses are combined into a single Mass, 10:30am Mass.

In that Mass, and other common Masses, such as the Midnight Mass or the Easter Vigil, are commonly done with a huge amount of Latin.

The Readings will alternate langages, and the Gospel will be read in both, but the common prayers are said in Latin ( Confetior, Gloria, Pater, Sanctus etc.).The priest will generally say the the Eucharistic Prayer in Latin as well.

In this way 1. We worship as a community. 2. We worship together in the same language with no preference.

In other words, exactly what the Church teaches that we should do.

 

[michaeldaniels]

Great Post My friend And to you Theophilus…for the record, I am only 31…so now you at least know one person who desires for Latin to be the norm

Consider how radical the following must have been: The Mass that was virturally untouched for centuries, codified at the Council of Trent was one day all but bannished and a new form became the norm. Why did this happen? The Second Vatican Council did not call for it nor did Pope Paul VI.

Many of us today have the option of attending the Latin Mass if we choose, but that was not as available when the change happened.

Many prayers, the most Catholic prayers were omitted from the new Mass. Signs of reverence such as genuflecting and sign of the cross were greatly reduced.

For centuries we received Holy Communion at the altar rail from a priest - until the altar rails were ripped out and we were told to receive our Lord in our hands while standing. Although only supposed to be used in emergency, most parishes now have regularly scheduled laity distributing the Blessed Sacrament.

The altar itself was replaced with a table. The priest turned his back to God and faced us.

The liturgy was not longer presented in the official language of the Church.

The central focus was shifted from Calvary to the Last Supper.

Modern church architechture is no longer in the shape of the Cross. The tabernacle is usually off to the side or in another room altogether.

With all due respect Theophilus, it is very selfish to state that you don’t want the only Mass you know to change. Think about those who were in the pews the day all the changes happened. The Mass that was unchangeable for centuries suddenly, without warning or reason changed radically. Are we better off?

Why did the Mass change? Were we in a crisis? Was attendance down significantly, seminaries empty, catechesis lacking, devotions forgotten, Confession ignored, abuses flourishing? How about today?

People have always wanted to tinker and toy with the Mass. Martin Luther wanted the priest facing the people, using the venacular with the focus on communal supper rather than Divine Sacrifice. That is why the Church called the Council of Trent and codified the Mass. The Church recognized that the liturgy is essential to the health and prosperity of the faithful. Lex Orandi, lex credendi - as you worship so you believe.

If you believe the purpose of the liturgy is to worship God and not serve ourselves, then you need to put your own desires behind the greater good. At Matthew 16 Jesus Christ laid the foundation of His Church and for nearly two thousand years His liturgy remained unchanged. Forty years after its debut we should all ask ourselves who’s will is being served at the new Mass and what fruits are we now known by.

Read Iota Unum by Romano Amerio or The Rhine flows into the Tiber for an understanding of the changes post V2. The Mass of All Time by Archbishop Lefevbre gives a detailed comparison between the two forms and theological basis in the Mass.