>>”Do these new texts communicate in the living language of the worshipping assembly?”<<
What a doofus.
Who cares about the “living language”? Back when our kids learned liturgical Latin, they did better in all aspects of education. How about we forget about “Catholic Ebonics” and get back to the idea that if some illiterate peasant in the 1500 could understand the Holy Mass, we sure can today. Even without the “living language”.
But It all about duh libbing langwudge, yo. Time ta be celerbratens dem pastoralness no whaddam sayin? Yo Troutman I see ya yo!
Freegards
I hear ya, netmilsmom!
As a child, I had no trouble understanding liturgical Latin and followed along quite nicely in my missal.
The most shocking thing was the alacrity with which they stripped away the trappings of our church and tossed out all the old traditions.
As an example, when I made my First Holy Communion, we sang “Panis Angelicus” (and we knew what it meant). THE VERY NEXT YEAR, my brother made his, and they sang “I Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in my Heart” — a Unitarian campfire song.
Fortunately for me, I am able to assist at a TLM right here in the next town over. My oldest son was Confirmed in the traditional Latin rite two years ago, and my youngest will be Confirmed this June.
So, I’m with you, kiddo...if 14th century illiterate peasants could understand it, so can we.
Here’s a link to a video of a Mass held a few weeks ago to commemorate the conclusion of a Gregorian chant workshop given to the girls’ schola that sings at our Masses. The young ladies are all between the ages of 14-17:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LELrVz6CMfI
Here’s another from the same Mass, the girls’ schola accompanied by a few voices from the adult choir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RY5udGXJ_A&NR=1
(The thurifur serving the Mass is my older son, BTW.) Enjoy!
Happy Easter,