Living Catholicism: The Return of the Latin Mass

« Another week, another great Carnival | Main | This week's Catholic Carnival is up »

July 14, 2007

The Return of the Latin Mass

Pope Benedict XVI has done what many have expected for a while now: returned the Latin Mass to use throughout the world. He simply changed the rules that now allow any priest to celebrate the Latin Mass without having permission from his bishop to do so (in the past Bishops have been very reluctant to allow Masses in Latin).

So what does that mean for the average parishioner? I've heard the arguments for and against the Latin Mass for years, but as a convert I have never attended a Latin Mass in the US (I have attended it once in Rome). Frankly, I wonder how many priests know enough Latin (particularly younger priests) to actually celebrate the Mass. Having said this, if it's offered in our area I will go at least some of the time (assuming it's offered regularly). Over the years I have heard many talk about the reverence for the Mass that the Latin offers - something that vernacular Masses had trouble replicating. As Raymond Arroyo put it in the Wall Street Journal:

There are inevitable problems: Many priests today simply don't know Latin. But they can learn it, or at least enough of it to get through the Mass. The movements of the traditional rite can also be gleaned from older clergy and from groups like the Fraternity of St. Peter that offer intensive instruction in the ritual. Just as the laity have grown accustomed to the incessant hand-holding and hand-shaking that make the Mass look like a hoe-down, they will learn to embrace the gestures of the old liturgy. Parishioners can actively follow the Mass using a Missal, which usually provides side-by-side translations. Listening with attention will be required. But who said worshiping God should be effortless?

Since Vatican II, generations of Catholics have participated in Masses and repeated actions that they have no historical appreciation or understanding of. This move by the pope will not only provoke a healthy conversation about why Catholics do what they do but ground them in the beauty and meaning of the liturgy, both new and old.

This also opens up the possibility of some schismatic groups to come back to the Church, which is never a bad thing. And anything to help give the Mass a sense of more reverence is worth looking at. Any comments? Let me know what you think - and if you'll consider attending a Latin Mass.

God bless,
Jay

Posted by jay at July 14, 2007 9:13 AM