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Sadly, the church does expect seminarians to learn Greek philosophy before studying theology, which results in them spouting unintelligible concepts like “transubstantiation” and “consubstantial.”

With all due respect Rev. Reese, this is sophistry cranked up to 11.

News flash: there is this great thing called a SEARCH ENGINE. Pretty much everyone in the USA has access to one. Anyone with a web browser can use one of these things, and read the Wikipedia entry for Transubstantiation and Consubstantiality.

Indeed, I remember when these words were put back into the vernacular, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth that arose was stunning. Some people actually thought the flock would have trouble pronouncing the words.

Guess what? We're all a little wiser. Maybe we upped our game a bit.

I remember reading in a traditionalist paper a few years ago, something to the effect of We are supposed to be lifted up by Our Lord during the Mass. We are not supposed to drag Him down here to be with us.

C'mon Father...I understand not everyone is happy with the current state of play, and Pride is a sin. But I think some of us dopey parishioners are capable of comprehending the odd $10 word here or there.

After all, Peter was a pretty ignorant fisherman...

Indeed, I remember when these words were put back into the vernacular, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth that arose was stunning. Some people actually thought the flock would have trouble pronouncing the words.

I remember vividly Bp Trautman (Erie, PA) complaining about this: “How will John and Mary Catholic relate to the new words of the Creed: ‘consubstantial to the Father’ and ‘incarnate of the Virgin Mary’? Will they understand these words from the various new Collects: ‘sullied,’ ‘unfeigned,’ ‘ineffable,’ ‘gibbet,’ ‘wrought,’ ‘thwart’?”

Why, yes! Yes, they would, with some assistance from the pulpit/bulletin/diocesan newspaper/etc.

This might not be a problem were it not for the fact that the very notion, embodied in Sacrosanctum Concilium ¶36, that “the use of the Latin language is to be preserved,” is conveniently ignored by the likes of Bp Trautman and those who persist in entertaining the Episcopal service. Words have meaning—in dead languages. In today’s languages, words change in meaning: “gay” and “queer,” for instance, hardly have the same meaning today as they did a mere 50 years ago.

When applied to prayer, it is that much more important to be precise. And this is to say nothing of the fact that prayer, ipso facto, is meant to elevate our minds and hearts to Almighty God. To speak, therefore, in modern vernacular, may indeed be pious, but it hardly causes one’s heart to “soar up to God.”