Latin Answers

Last updated on: June 24, 2007 at 9:39 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Latin Answers 2007-06-24T21:39:00-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Thank you to all the people who have answered my questions on the Latin Mass and expressed their opinions. The combox is now closed on this one.

A summary of my own feelings is this: I do actually appreciate the Latin Mass, and hope a wider permission is granted for the Latin Mass to be celebrated because it will aid the cause of unity in our church. A wider use of the Latin Mass will also help to set an example and bring back a more reverent celebration of the Novus Ordo.

I appreciated reading why people enjoyed the Latin Mass, and I share a love of most of the things they cherish. However, I believe that most of the things people value: reverence, order, dignity, silence, a sense of the numinous, and a love of Gregorian chant etc. can be found when the Novus Ordo is celebrated properly. I do understand that I am lucky to be part of a parish like St Mary’s where the Novus Ordo is celebrated with care and reverence. I realize some readers are not so blessed.

In conclusion, I’d like to be positive and do something I very rarely hear anyone do: I’d like to point out what I like about the Novus Ordo. There are some rough spots, but on the whole, I think the English language translation of most of the Novus Ordo is simple, utilitarian and dignified. The language is not flowery but functional. It does the job in a practical and straightforward way without drawing attention to itself. It’s common sense for the worship of the people of God to be audible and to be in the ordinary language of the people, and despite the rather complex academic answers to my questions, I think it is still obvious that the Mass was first translated into Latin so that more people could understand it, not fewer.

I also like the fact that there are options and opportunities for varied expressions of worship.
We live in a very pluralistic and varied modern culture. The Spirit is at work in all sorts of ways throughout the church and throughout the world. The flexibility of the Novus Ordo allows us to respond to the needs of the all of the faithful in a universal church. I actually think this is a positive thing. I realize that this leads to some abuses, but there will be abuses of one kind or another in whatever form the liturgy takes, and I’d prefer to take the risk.

In addition to the Novus Ordo itself, I think the new lectionary is vastly improved. Now the faithful are fed with far more of the Scriptures on a regular and consistent basis. I could go on about how good the new breviary is, for instance, but most of all I accept the Novus Ordo because I accept the authority of the Catholic Church. I accept her authority in the past down through the ages, and I accept her authority now in my own age. I believe the Holy Spirit has led the church into the Second Vatican Council. The Novus Ordo is one of the fruits of that Spirit-led council. I’m happy to accept the authority of my church and the liturgy which better men than myself have handed on to me, and I simply don’t feel qualified to set myself up as an alternative liturgical authority.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 23, 2007

Latin Questions

Next Post

June 24, 2007 Not Just the Catholics

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz