New Vatican Bid to Boost Use of Latin

Catholic World News ^ | May 13, 2003

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Vatican, May. 13 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II has set up a new Vatican commission to restore Latin to its proper place in the Roman Church.

The new initiative has captured the attention of traditionalist Catholics. It comes at a time when Vatican officials are showing a keen interest in achieving a full reconciliation with traditionalist groups such as the schismatic Society of St. Pius X.

On May 24, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos will celebrate Mass in the basilica of St. Mary Major, using the Tridentine rite-- the ritual that was the universal form of the Latin liturgy prior to the Second Vatican Council. The announcement of that Mass-- the first Mass to be celebrated by a Roman prelate in the Tridentine rite since 1970-- sparked a series of reports of progress in negotiations between the Vatican and traditionalist groups.

Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, has been given the charge of heading the new commission. Cardinal Grocholewski, according to Vatican insiders, is more fluent in Latin than in his native Polish.

In February 2002, Pope John Paul II strongly recommended the study of Latin in seminaries and the use of the traditional language in the liturgy. The Pope said that "the love of that language should grow every stronger among candidates for the priesthood."

Pope John Paul made that statement in a message marking the 40th anniversary of the apostolic constitution Veterum Sapientia of Pope John XXIII. In that document, Blessed John XXIII confirmed the role of Latin as the official language of the Church, and spoke of the ancient language as "a patrimony that belongs to human civilization." In his 2002 remarks, Pope John Paul added: "that patrimony furnishes an indispensable condition for the proper relationship between modernity and antiquity, for the dialogue among different cultures, and for restoring the identity of the Catholic priesthood."

At the Vatican, an agency known as the Fondation Latinitas is concerned solely with the translation of documents into Latin, or from Latin into other languages. That bureau was founded in 1976 by Pope Paul VI with the objective of encouraging Latin scholarship. But in fact, the number of qualified Latinists within the Church has steadily declined. Latin remains the official language of the Vatican. Officials there use their own peculiar Latin dictionary, which contains not only ecclesiastical terms but also new words that have come into popular use since the decline of Latin as a popular tongue.

[Polycarp]

ping

[NYer]

In February 2002, Pope John Paul II strongly recommended the study of Latin in seminaries and the use of the traditional language in the liturgy.

I have often wondered how it is that Latin and not Aramaic, the language of Christ, became the official language of the Catholic Church. Yes, I am well aware of the fact that Latin was spoken in the occupied territories of Palestine at the time of Christ. However, Aramaic was his native tongue.

BTW, in the interview between Raymond Arroyo and Jim Cavieziel, Jim spoke several phrases in Aramaic. It was mesmerizing to hear him speak the native tongue of Christ. Shivers down the spine!

[narses]

Two languages were the vernacular of the first century, greek and latin. Early Church documents were written in both. The Roman Empire was the "prepared ground" for the "mustard seed" that was the early Church. Latin, being the vernacular for the largest part of the early Church, was the common language of Her leaders. As the centuries went on, Latin's status as a "dead" language provided security for the Deposit of Faith that is our common heritage.

[sinkspur]

Latin, being the vernacular for the largest part of the early Church, was the common language of Her leaders.

And now, with the Church spread throughout the world, the vernacular should be the common language for the liturgy in each country.

[kstewskis]

BTW, in the interview between Raymond Arroyo and Jim Cavieziel, Jim spoke several phrases in Aramaic. It was mesmerizing to hear him speak the native tongue of Christ. Shivers down the spine!

Wasn't that great?

(of course, his blue eyes kinda made me shiver too, but I digress.....) /blush

[sneakers]

We are the universal church. We should speak in a universal language. At least it should be available to those who wish to attend a Latin Mass.

[Cicero]

Latin was the chief language of the western Roman empire. It remained the international language of diplomacy after the various vernaculars started to branch away: Italian, French, Spanish, and so forth. Greek was more or less lost to the West, except for a few scholars here and there.

Even English is full of words with Latin roots, which makes it an easier language to learn than Greek.

[dsc]

"BTW, in the interview between Raymond Arroyo and Jim Cavieziel, Jim spoke several phrases in Aramaic."

Living in Japan, I didn't get to watch that. You didn't tape it, did you?

[dsc]

"the vernacular should be the common language for the liturgy in each country."

How can hundreds of vernaculars be a common language? Common means "lingua franca," a language everybody can use.

[Revelation 911]

And now, with the Church spread throughout the world, the vernacular should be the common language for the liturgy in each country.

that raises an interesting question regarding growth of the church pre / post latin, particularly in third wold countries. Any figures?

Im also interested to hear your opinion regarding the Latin mass reaching and really speaking to the hearts of those that can not understand it. I see the Prot KJV'ers in the same light. It sure is lovely to the awakened, but to me it is a dead language, useful only to scholars

[NYer]

You didn't tape it, did you?

Sorry, no. I work with computer systems all day, but am totally VCR challenged. Have tried to tape from EWTN but can't. However, you can listen to the interview from this link. Be sure to scroll down to the link.

Interview with Jim Cavieziel

[maryz]

It remained the international language of diplomacy after the various vernaculars started to branch away

And of scholarship into -- I think -- the 18th century anyway.

[Conservative til I die]

Sink, wouldn't you agree that it would be ideal or at least preferable to at least offer both the vernacular Novus Ordo and the Latin Tridentine? I ask this even as an obvious "modernist" (as the Traditionalists would say, at least).

[TradicalRC]

There is of course, no such language as "the vernacular". It is merely a term to signify the peculiar language of a given region. To speak of the vernacular as a "common language" is oxymoronic. Latin transcends time and space vernacular languages rarely if ever do. If one is to travel one is simply out of luck. How ironic in an age that has made travel more convenient than ever.

[TradicalRC]

There is of course, no such language as "the vernacular". It is merely a term to signify the peculiar language of a given region. To speak of the vernacular as a "common language" is oxymoronic. Latin transcends time and space; vernacular languages rarely if ever do. If one is to travel one is simply out of luck. How ironic in an age that has made travel more convenient than ever.

[sinkspur]

Sink, wouldn't you agree that it would be ideal or at least preferable to at least offer both the vernacular Novus Ordo and the Latin Tridentine? I ask this even as an obvious "modernist" (as the Traditionalists would say, at least).

Offer the Tridentine if there is sufficient demand for it.

I can't imagine my parish holding even one on a Sunday, but there might be some folks who want it.

The next trick is to find a priest who wants to celebrate it.

[GF.Regis]

I have often wondered how it is that Latin and not Aramaic, the language of Christ, became the official language of the Catholic Church.

Actually Aramaic, I believe, is the liturgical language used by Catholics of the Chaldean rite. Latin, on the other hand is the official liturgical language used in the Roman rite and also the Ambrosian.

[BlackElk]

Thank you for restoring cognizeable standards of language to the debate! The use of the vernacular may be tolerable but the use of Latin emphasizes the universality of the Church and discourages the Balkanization desired by the liberal termites in the walls of the institution. Restore Latin, abolish national bishops' conferences and return to the concept of "one, holy and apostolic Church".

[NYer]

Actually Aramaic, I believe, is the liturgical language used by Catholics of the Chaldean rite. Latin, on the other hand is the official liturgical language used in the Roman rite and also the Ambrosian.

Well, your post sent me off on a whirlwind tour of the 5 Christian Communities or Rites. Along the way, I came across a site that provides a thorough, historical perspective on the origins of the christian church. You may find it interesting, too. Here is the link:

Internet Ancient History Sourcebook