"Liturgy in Your Language"
All the phony claims about people not being able to understand the Tridentine Latin Mass are just that: Phony. Missals take care of any problem, and they help to make Latin easy to understand.
But speaking of not being able to understand the Mass: The Catholic liberals who schedule bilingual Masses and multicultural events such as the Rosary Bowl do not mind it at all that many or most in the congregation cannot understand all the languages being used.
Look at the many languages in which Holy Mass is said in our Archdiocese of Los Angeles (click on this post's title). Do the speakers of the many languages understand each other's Masses? Are translations provided for everybody?
Nope. And nope.
So why are the liberals making a fuss about Latin? Simple: They disapprove of some or much of the theology that the Tridentine Mass embodies and expresses, and they do not want us exposed to it.
But speaking of not being able to understand the Mass: The Catholic liberals who schedule bilingual Masses and multicultural events such as the Rosary Bowl do not mind it at all that many or most in the congregation cannot understand all the languages being used.
Look at the many languages in which Holy Mass is said in our Archdiocese of Los Angeles (click on this post's title). Do the speakers of the many languages understand each other's Masses? Are translations provided for everybody?
Nope. And nope.
So why are the liberals making a fuss about Latin? Simple: They disapprove of some or much of the theology that the Tridentine Mass embodies and expresses, and they do not want us exposed to it.
posted by Quintero at 9:35 PM
11 Comments:
An excellent point.
Expect it to be ignored, widely.
I think most of the arguments--pro and con--about the Mass of Pope St. Pius V, O.P., have nothing to do with the Latin language per se. After all, the Mass of Pope Paul VI is in Latin yet there is little or no demand for its celebration in that tongue. No, for most who opposed the wider availability of the "Tridentine" Mass I think the objection was to the Rite itself since Sacrosanctum Concilium of the Second Vatican Council called for the revision and simplification of the Roman Missal.
In his Apostolic Constitution promulgating the 1970 Roman Missal, Pope Paul said that "elements which, with the passage of time came to be duplicated or were added with but little advantage" (Sacrosanctum Concilium) have been elimnated. It was clearly the intention of Pope Paul that the entire Latin Church celebrate Mass according to one Roman Rite—the Missal he promulgated.
Of course, his successors have seen things differently, which is their right...one Pope may not bind his successors except in matters concerning the Deposit of Faith. Summorum Pontificum may one day be superceded by one Pope Benedict's successors, and so on.
Maybe a future Pope will promulgate a new Roman Missal which will synthesize elements from both Roman Missals—a hybrid, as it were—that will satisfy everybody.
I've only just discovered this blog, but I'm pleased to see another Catholic in L.A. that recognizes this problem. The "multiculturalism" Mahoney advocates has not brought us together or taken us to some higher plane of liberal existence; all it's done is created a new segregation where Catholics of every race and nationality only have to see eachother in the parking lot.
One more point for the Tridentine mass: The only one we can all really share!
Dear Dad29,
I think you are right.
Dear Anonymous 1:15 p.m.,
Yes, I agree that they object to the Rite itself, but because of its theology, its dignity and its beauty and because they were bound and determined to throw out everything traditional.
As Cardinal Levada has said, their spirit was, "Throw out the old stuff, here's the new stuff."
I believe the liberals did this not out of solidarity with Pope Paul VI, whom they vilified and defied on artificial contraception. Nor did they do it out of obedience to Vatican II, which gave Latin "pride of place."
Dear Fred C.,
Thank you for your kind words, and welcome aboard!
You are so right. There is a wonderful richness we could all share, if we could get together for Masses we could ALL understand.
Dear Fred C.,
Another thought: I am all for everyone celebrating their heritage, but it is undeniable that we also all need to unite, truly unite, in the face of the increasing attacks on the Faith from within and without.
Speaking as someone who is learning about Catholicism and debating a return to Christianity, Tridentine Mass is the quickest way to push me away. There’s a reason why I don’t attend a mass in Spanish just as there’s a reason why I wouldn’t attend a mass in Latin, it implies that you don’t want me to understand what’s going on. I know that's not the intent, but that's what it means to me. I have this funny thing about wanting to understand my faith and if I feel as if you are trying to keep me ignorant, I’ll go elsewhere.
The Tridentine Mass is probably powerful and meaningful for those who understand not just the language, but the symbolism of everything that’s going on. For those of us who are new and just learning, it’s an intimidating form of elitism. No thank you. I’ve already had clergy literally turn their backs on me and ignore me. I don’t need MORE barriers between me and my faith. If you want it, I hope you enjoy it and it brings you all the fulfillment you crave.
Dear Anonymous 1:17 p.m.,
I'm sure glad you're studying Catholicism and your return to Christianity. May I be the first to say congratulations, and may all your prayers and efforts bring you Jesus and His peace and love.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
"I am the Good Shepherd."
"I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
Have you seen all the answers and resources at Catholic Answers, which is at: www.catholic.com
As for Latin, you don't need to worry at all. There are missals that have the Latin on one page and English on the facing page.
And most Masses will remain in English, anyway.
Converts to the Church have always included people with the most brilliant intellects, and that happened during the centuries of the Tridentine Mass. They surely understood everything there was to know, and they would not have embraced the Faith otherwise.
It'll be the same for you.
But one word of advice -- parishes have "RCIA" programs, and the way things are nowadays, not everyone teaching every parish RCIA program knows the Faith well. Some have misconceptions and are relativists.
Some priests you meet might be not entirely orthodox, either.
So if you hear anything that doesn't sound right, in RCIA or from anyone else, don't take that as the final answer. Keep looking.
Do you have a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church? It has good answers and is now in paperback.
Thanks for visiting here! God bless!
Quintero,
Thank you. I have found three priests who I trust, respect and have come to consider friends. They're an interesting mix. Unorthodox to the point that I'd listen to them and orthodox enough that I believe what they say.
I've not inquired about RICA yet. I don't feel as if I'm ready for that. I need to get over my fear of church (long story) and change my understanding of God before I'm comfortable doing that (another long story).
I check the information at www.catholic.com on a semi-regular basis.
These three priests are a special mix in my eyes. One, a bishop, is older than I am and I get more traditional information from him. Another, also a bishop, is my age and I feel as if he gives me information in a way that I need to hear it. The third, a priest, is a few years my junior and amazes me with his wisdom and kindness of heart. I'd spent a long time dealing with "preachers" whose faith existed in words and now I've found priests who live their faith. They all offer me something different, but they all also offer me patience, compassion and friendship.
I read stories and articles about how priests aren't being invited into friendship circles and what not these days. I keep thinking that people must not know the priests that I do. I'm thrilled and honored that these men not only want to be my spiritual guides, but also be my friend.
As I've gotten to know them, they have not hidden their flaws from me. I see their flaws. I see that they aren't perfect. Those flaws, those imperfections, make them all the more real and special in my eyes. They trust me enough to show me their humanity. How can I not embrace that?
When I pray (and I have started doing that again) my first words are to thank God for them being in my life.
I don't know if I'll ever become Catholic. A few months ago I would have said that I'd never be Christian again. They have me looking at Christianity as a real option for my spiritual home and that's something I never thought possible (again).
When you say your prayers tonight, would you be so kind as to say a word of thanks for all the good priests in the world?
Dear Anonymous 9:01 a.m.,
You're welcome, and thank you again for writing. I'm happy for you and the priests who have become your friends. You are good to be good to them, and they to you.
It is always wonderful to hear of people who live their Faith rather than just talk about it.
It's such a good prayer you make, to thank God for these priests.
Thank you for asking me to pray for all the good priests in the world. Yes, I will, and we can do that together. And we can ask our fellow commenters and bloggers to pray for them, too.
We can also pray for priests who have been not so good, that they will repent before it is too late, as all of us must do in life.
And we can pray for each other, too. Thanks again for writing, and do comment anytime!
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