Latin Mass

LATIN MASS

BASIC R.C. BELIEF For centuries, the only liturgical language of the Roman Catholic Church, and claimed to prove the universality of the Church.

The Catholic Church, which “never changes”, put out an authoritative (but not infallible) book in 1913. It was written by Priest Joseph Baierl and published by The Seminary Press complete with Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. The book explains “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” in the form of questions and answers.

“Q: Why does the Church continue to use a dead language in the divine service? A: (Latin) is a dead language and consequently does not change its form and meaning. A living language is continually changing. If we were to use a living language in the divine service, all sorts of errors and false meanings might creep in…”

POST VATICAN II When Paul VI authorized Mass in the vernacular (4/3/69), Traditionalists were greatly disturbed. One group even stated that Paul VI was Anti-Christ, having committed the abomination of desolations (Ch. of St. Joseph, Cicero, IL, Church bulletin, 7/30/72).

With ecclesiastical permission, Latin may be used in the New Mass. The Old Mass in Latin was authorized for use in certain circumstances by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

Traditionalists who, without papal permission, use the Old Mass, use Latin.

Traditional Roman Catholics say that the New Mass (in English here) is not valid; Karl Keating says both English Mass and Latin Mass are valid.

CHRISTIAN COMMENT When Latin was used, it was said (by a Roman Catholic Bishop) that one could go to Mass anywhere in the world and understand it as little as he understood it at home.