Mass Appeal to Latin Tradition

Washington Times ^ | October 28, 2007 | By Kristi Moore

[NYer]

The Rev. Alfred J. Harris, pastor of St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in Northwest, has embraced the return of the traditional Tridentine Mass, in which the priest faces the altar rather than the congregation and celebrates in Latin.

Roman Catholic churches nationwide are rushing to accommodate a surge in demand for the traditional Latin Mass, which is drawing a surprising new crowd: young people.

Since July, when a decree from Pope Benedict XVI lifted decades-old restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass, seven churches in the Washington metropolitan area have added the liturgy to their weekly Sunday schedules.

"I love the Latin Mass," said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. "It"s amazing to think that I"m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries."

[NYer]

Ping!

[RobbyS]

Fifty years ago, the Epistle and Gospel as well as the sermon were always in the venacular.

[Kolokotronis]

“”I love the Latin Mass,” said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. “It”s amazing to think that I”m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries.””

Now there! That’s what I feel every Sunday and now, after a 50 year hiatus, Roman Catholics can feel the same connection with the sacred timelessness of the Liturgy! Nothing but good will come of this!

[vladimir998]

Amen to that!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1917518/posts?page=4#4

[JoeFromSidney]

Unfortunately, in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, our beloved Archbishop has decreed that no priest may offer the Tridentine Mass in Latin unless he first passes a test in Latin. The Archbishop has appointed a committee of three priests to adminster the test, none of whom has ever shown any past interest in the Tridentine Mass.

It is my guess that Julius Caesar would have had a tough time passing the test.

I had expected that "the word" would quitely go out that any priest who said a Latin Mass could forget about promotion and a bigger parish. This is even smoother than I had anticipated. After all, who can object to being sure that the Mass is said properly?

[Ebenezer]

Unfortunately, the article does not mention that the SSPX is a schismatic group while the FSSP is in full communion with Rome; that omission may confuse some faithful. In any event, the article was very encouraging, and the Pope's motu proprio has to have knocked some of the wind from the SSPX's sail. I certainly would take no offense at some young person praising the Mass of Blessed John XXIII as being "so cool" (because it is).

[livius]

no priest may offer the Tridentine Mass in Latin unless he first passes a test in Latin.

That's a pretty common technique (also used by my bishop, for example), and obviously one that they all agreed on at the USCCB meeting on this issue just around the time the MP came out. Their sudden concern for good Latin and correct performance of the Mass is incredibly touching.

[NYer]

Unfortunately, in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, our beloved Archbishop has decreed that no priest may offer the Tridentine Mass in Latin unless he first passes a test in Latin.

Wow ... that's going to extremes. But we all saw this coming and need to continue the pursuit through fasting and prayer for our bishops. God's will be done.

[Ebenezer]

Does the Archbishop’s decree apply to the Mass of Paul VI as well? As far as I know, there is no universal prohibition against celebrating it in Latin.

It looks like some interested priests (at least, the diocesan ones) who were ordained after Vatican II might find themselves facing a Catch-22. They may request time and money from their respective dioceses for Latin classes in order to pass this test, and then have their requests refused.

Prior to Vatican II, lack of knowledge of Latin was not even an issue for seminarians and priests.