Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Stubborn

The Congregation has got to realize that in the short term, a return to more Latin will result in a further dip in attendance. In the long term, it might be a wise idea however.

Most of the people who love Latin left a long time ago or died already, we are 35 years post-latin at this point in time.

Most of the people in attendance now either don't like Latin or are too young to remember it. Some of those folks will definitely be alienated, and I doubt if the Latin-philes out there will even know about it.


4 posted on 10/15/2004 12:14:44 PM PDT by I_Like_Spam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: I_Like_Spam
The Congregation has got to realize that in the short term, a return to more Latin will result in a further dip in attendance. In the long term, it might be a wise idea however.

I cannot agree when there is abundant evidence to the contrary. The church population was moving forward and growing and the faith was much stronger prior to the changes 35+ years ago. Once the changes were introduced, thats when people started losing the faith and leaving in droves - and continue leaving to this day.

The magisterium is facing an unpresidented problem with the shrinking catholic population throughout the whole world that has been evident since the changes and I think they are hoping, with good reason, that returning to the Church's traditional practices will revive the Church population.

13 posted on 10/15/2004 3:25:32 PM PDT by Stubborn (It Is The Mass That Matters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

To: I_Like_Spam; sdsurfer; Canticle_of_Deborah

While I do not agree with you 100%, you do make a good point.

There are many older people who do not like Latin. This is largely a spiritual problem - not one of linguistics. I can attend a Byzantine Easter Mass, in a language quite foreign to me, and see the beauty and spirituality of it. Understand what is important in it, as I personally understand what the mass is.

But there are many who do not - either becuase they do not know (the case with the young), or because they have forgotten (the older ones).

I am not totally dismissing your idea, just taking it from a different perspective.

I would predict more of a loss of the older folks then the younger. Youth want to learn and explore. Those who would really want to go to mass, might be curious as to "what this is all about". They would want to see and experience it, as they want to see and experience amy things in life.

But, as in many things, it would be a test of faith. Are you going to mass for personal, feel good, ego renewal? Or for the right reasons: to witness the sacrifice of Calvary reenacted in an unbloody manner.

To participate in the high court ceremonial of heaven, where the perfect sacrifice - the perfect and spotless victim is offered?

As it has been in past ages, it may be again: that many will walk away from Christ because they do not truly know Him.

But Christ never predicted that all would accept and follow him. He offered a narrow gate by which to enter heaven. Not a multiple choice menu.


19 posted on 10/15/2004 4:24:12 PM PDT by thor76 (Our Lady of La Sallette, pray for us. Marie Julie Jehany, pray for us!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson