Ask A Priest…

Why do you use Latin in the Mass?

Fr. Adam’s Answer: There have been some questions about why we use Latin during mass. I will hopefully try to concisely answer your question. First and foremost, Vatican II asked that even though Mass was to be celebrated in the vernacular (language of the land), Latin should still have a place of honor.

A wise old Jesuit, who was a history scholar and taught at the seminary, told us that it takes 100 years for the Church to find its balance after a major shift from a counsel. That means we are still changing and finding the right balance after Vatican II. To believe that any time in Liturgy was perfect or correct is a fallacy many people fall into, both on the conservative side (Latin or nothing) and on the liberal side (no Latin ever again). As St. Thomas said, the virtuous path lies somewhere in the middle of those two arguments.

We as Catholics need to be in touch with our history and beauty – the Salve Regina, the Mass parts in Latin, the beautiful hymns like the Tantum Ergo. This is part of who we are. I am a centrist when it comes to the use of Latin in Mass, it should be something we can switch into, something we should all know. My goal is not to replace English in worship. If that is your fear, know that is not my belief or goal.

Finally, we are a Universal Church (the very definition of the word Catholic), from all nations and peoples. I remember as a seminarian in Jerusalem at the church of all nations, we celebrated Mass there and people from all over the world no matter what language they spoke joined in on the Mass parts in Latin! A single language of worship unifies in a way that beautifully undoes the tower of Babel, and that is why we should be familiar with Latin.

Hope this answers some of the questions out there.

Sincerely, Fr. Adam