[Salvation]

**The decrees only allowed for the vernacular in "certain prayers", not in the entire mass.**

First time I have ever heard that.

[Frank Sheed]

It's true. The original intent of the N.O. was shown on EWTN for years before it was changed. Much of the Latin was maintained and the priest was ad orientam.

[steadfastconservative]

Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 54: "In Masses that are celebrated with the people, a suitable place may be allotted to their mother tongue. This provision is to apply in the first place to the readings and to 'the common prayer,' but also, as local conditions may warrant, to those parts which pertain to the people, according to the norm laid down in Article 36 of this Constitution.

"Nevertheless, steps should also be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.

"And whenever a more extended use of the mother tongue within the Mass appears desirable, the regulation laid down in Article 40 of this Constitution is to be observed."

I don't see how people who haven't read the documents of the Second Vatican Council, especially Sacrosanctum Concilium, can possibly comment at all on the changes to the liturgy which the Council decreed.

[old republic]

Sorry, After going back over the Vatican decree, I think my statement about only allowing certain prayers in the vernacular is a bit misleading. Here is an excerpt from the decree Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Vatican II decree on the Liturgy) so you can read it for yourself, instead of using my possible mistatement on the vernacular. In my interpretation the decree states Latin is to be maintained in the Latin rite, and that the vernacular may only be used in certain prayers. The kicker is that the local Bishops get to make exceptions and decide which prayers are in the vernacular (which today in most places has become the entire mass rather than certain only certain parts).

36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.

2. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.

3. These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, to decide whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used; their decrees are to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. And, whenever it seems to be called for, this authority is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.

Hope that was helpful.

Dominus Vobiscum