Posted on 03/12/2011 9:14:54 PM PST by Salvation
Haven't we all wished for this?
**Sacred language, being the means of expression not only of individuals, but rather of a community that follows its traditions, is conservative: it maintains the archaic linguistic forms with tenacity.**
Sacred Language Ping!
I think it was an awful mistake to take latin out of the mass. I think it was an effort to increase ‘conversions’ along with the ‘folk’ masses etc. I think it was totally misguided.
I’m thinking that this will bring people back to the church. Any thoughts there?
I was an altar boy in my youth and studied Latin in HS. I knew that I could go to Mass in any Catholic Church in the world and understand everything but the sermon.
Then came Vatican II and its “progressive” ideas which turned the Mass into a hootenanny. That’s when I started going to non-denominational Bible churches.
If the Catholic Church goes back to Latin and gets rid of the guitars and drums, I’ll go back to Mass.
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My daughter, NOT a lifelong Catholic, LOVES Masses in Latin.
Me too.
There is no good pedagogical reason not to start Latin classes in Kindergarten in Catholic schools, and there are good arguments in favor.
Purely from a linguistic point of view, Latin is a wonderful tool for understanding grammar and preparing kids for the learning of modern spoken languages. I think it helps them organize their linguistic brains, so to speak.
I started in the second grade...a little late apparently, but early enough so that I majored in Latin & Greek in college. I've never, ever, regretted it.
The Latin Mass is indeed beautiful and solemn and to the extent that the laity actually understands the prayers, it's a magnificent religious event and experience. If I were a Latin, it would be my chosen rite. I suggest, however, that the problem is more with the NO mass, rather than English. I remember the old Mass prayed and chanted in High Church English back in the 1960s. It was wonderful and everyone understood the Introit, the Collect, etc.
We must remember though, that Greek was the language of Sacred Scripture for all Christendom and remains the first official Church language. Latin is the second and Church Slavonic, the third.
I agree with Kolo, though, that the problem is less the choice of languages, and more the mutilation of the Liturgy into the NO feelgood mush that has been the practice, especially of the progressively theological (socialist/communist/community organizer/atheist), which has infected the Body of Christ. The Protestantization of the Latin Liturgy is paralleled by the Protestantization of Latin church architecture peaking in the 1990s. Look at that monstronsity in Los Angeles. The saying is that the floor of hell is paved with the skulls of bishops. I think that we have another deserving candidate.
Our good steward, exceeding his predecessor by almost unimaginable extent, is leading the Church in curing what it can, and excising what it cannot. The Ordinariates would not have come into being to the extent that they have, if the Church did not show every sign of being the last bastion of Christianity. The Christians left amongst the Anglicans and Lutherans are not just fleeing from, they are fleeing to. To God, not to the latest PC and fevered imaginings of men, which is really just about all that they have left. The trickle has started to turn into a flood. And not just to the Latin Church, but to the East as well.
I think it might. It adds to the dignity, for me. I wish the latin would come back before I die.
Amazing—like this is a new idea! “One, holy, catholic, and apostalic” used to MEAN one, universal language.
anything that prevents priests from ad-libbing at the altar is welcome.
My family and I went to a Latin Mass last month. Mixed reviews. My daughter, 12, loved it, fell right in with the chanting and the sound of the words. She wants to go again. My son and husband were mixed up and frustrated from trying to follow the English language handout that left something to be desired. They said they would not like to go back.
I’d like to go back occasionally. I followed it pretty well because I know the order of the mass really well from having been a church musician years ago, and I know some Latin roots from a Spanish linguistics class I had in college. I liked the music and the beautiful BELLS at consecration.
However, I missed our lively congregation, and its warm response to the priest, musicians and each other, like when we extend our hands and pray for our RCIA candidates every week, or smile as we greet each other before mass. The only congregational hymn at the Latin mass was the recessional, and hardly anybody sang, even though it was Holy God We Praise They Name, which is very singable and well-known.
By the way, I wore a headscarf, but my daughter chickened out on wearing one. About 1/4 of the women had covered heads. There was a nice sign out front with a guide for dressing modestly for church for men and women, both.
I think if they brought the BELLS back to the liturgy, that would go a long way to restoring the mystical, sacred quality of worship, with no worries about language. It’s an easy effective improvement that could be done right away.
**If the Catholic Church goes back to Latin and gets rid of the guitars and drums, I’ll go back to Mass.**
Don’t say ‘if’ say “When”!!!!!
I think this will happen....we’ll be waiting with open arms to welcome you back.
check this out. http://www.chnetwork.org/
I think this will happen....we’ll be waiting with open arms to welcome you back.
check this out. http://www.chnetwork.org/
Or watch the commercial here. http://www.catholicscomehome.org/
I think this will happen....we’ll be waiting with open arms to welcome you back.
check this out. http://www.chnetwork.org/
Or watch the commercial here. http://www.catholicscomehome.org/
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