The characteristically memorable phrase is that the Latin language is currently in the ecclesiastical refrigerator. He also reportedly suggested that larger parishes offer Mass in Latin at least once a week and that smaller, rural parishes offer it at least once a month. He made it clear that he was speaking of the Novus Ordo and that homilies should always be in the vernacular. (I know of one exception to this but I suppose that for those in Reginald Foster's classes, Latin is the vernacular.)
My parish had no Latin when I came here. I have introduced it occasionally and have celebrated the old rite from time to time with a fair bit of interest from some parishioners. There have been one or two complaints and I am always anxious to introduce such changes gradually and with some explanation and catechesis. Recently, I have felt a pang of conscience that as a priest really enthusiastic about Latin, I have not brought it in more in my own parish.
It is great to have such specific encouragement from the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. The parish is medium-sized, so to start with, I will say Mass in Latin each Saturday morning and once a month for the main Sunday Mass. I have promised to produce a leaflet for people explaining why the Church uses Latin in the Liturgy. When I get round to doing it, I will post it here in the hope of receiving some helpful suggestions for improvement.
7 comments:
Father,
I notice that the Holy Father, in his address to German bishops, reiterates that the introductory course should "transmit a solid understanding of the classical languages, which is expressly required for the study of philosophy and theology".
There are quite a number of priests, myself included, who went to seminaries where the study of Latin wasn't to be found on the curriculum and was even discouraged. Has this been remedied now?
Do you know of a good book-based Latin course? I suppose it is never too late to learn!
Love the picture.
Go for it, Fr Tim! Why not make that monthly Latin N.O. versus absidem too? Of course, with proper catechesis, or maybe even a parish questionnaire?
Have you seen that the New Liturgical Movement people are currently trying to produce leaflets on liturgy and music for the purposes of cathecesis? Perhaps they have something on the use of Latin.
Hello Father,
I have been attending the Latin Tridentine Mass for the last three years where the homily is said in the vernacular. It has done wonders for my marriage, family and Catholicism. We have four children and have been lucky enough to find old Missals at my husband's grandmother's house and "antique" stores (We had to rebind them, but now they are personalized too). I hope that you will offer the Tridentine Latin Mass in your parish regularly too.
I didn't find the complete speech, but this is a news article that has more quotes from Cardinal Arinze.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/F8C1067C0A06539986257224001663ED?OpenDocument&highlight=2%2C%22arinze%22
Pax Tecum!
Mia
Coolness! Especially that you're doing it on Saturdays - I don't know at what time your weekday Masses are celebrated, but Saturdays mean that the church geeks at school (as I was when I was younger) can go too.
Thanks, anon, for the link. I'll post that. I would like to offer the Classical Rite Mass regularly in my parish in due course.
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