At N.J. Parish, all Latin all the time

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | February 3, 2002 | David O'Reilly

[Antoninus]

Check it out! Our local Latin mass parish made the news. And the Inquirer didn't even trash them. What's going on here?

Is the future of the Catholic Church to be found in its recent past, spurned by many for the past 40 years?

[Antoninus]

Bump...

[Rodney King]

bump

[FryingPan101]

We had a small Catholic church in Eugene, Oregon when we lived there a few years ago. They said Mass in Latin and were treated as though they were the great evil. That awful treatment came from Catholics as well as others. I loved it. I grew up with it. My husband grew up with it in New Jersey. We "yearn for the old ways."

[ArrogantBustard]

I served the Lord for several years as an Altar Boy, and have many fond memories from that time. Thanks for the reminder!

AB

[BikerNYC]

"It's more reverent" than the contemporary Masses and liturgies that grew out of the Second Vatican Council, she said. "We feel it expresses the church's teachings in a more clear way."

It's more clear to do it in a language people don't understand? Do people prefer not to understand what is being said to them at Mass?

[nickcarraway]

I'll have to check this out next time I'm in NJ. The most surprising thing is the compatibility of the bishop.

[kassie]

My church has English along side Latin. It is a beautiful Mass and easy to follow. You say the same prayers all the time over and over so when you get the opportunity to attend a Latin Mass, you know what you're saying anyway.

[Publius6961]

It's more clear to do it in a language people don't understand? Do people prefer not to understand what is being said to them at Mass?

You are assuming that those who prefer the Tridentine Mass don't know what is being said?
That's got to be just plain ignorance. Most of the people who prefer it know exactly what is being said at all times.

[Antoninus]

It's more clear to do it in a language people don't understand? Do people prefer not to understand what is being said to them at Mass?

Yeah, that's been a problem for me ... especially when traveling to other countries like Mexico, Italy, or the American southwest for that matter, considering those masses aren't in English either....

Seriously, though, much of the Tridentine mass is parallel to the 'new' mass as it exists today, so anyone who's familiar with the new mass in English has no trouble following along with the Latin. Additionally, the priest does the readings and homily in English and bilingual missals are supplied, along with explanatory margin notes.

[pbear8]

Having the Latin/English missal makes learning Latin very easy for those who have a bit of grey matter. The 10 year old who stood next to me said the 'Gloria' as easily as I did.

It's just a matter of being open-minded and willing to learn.

[Antoninus]

I'll have to check this out next time I'm in NJ. The most surprising thing is the compatibility of the bishop.

Yes, please do. After some worries when he was first appointed, Bishop DiMarzio has proven to be a real blessing to this parish. I think he recognizes that the folks who attend these masses are where the real dynamism in the Catholic Church is now-days. It's amazing to see the large young families at Mater Ecclesiae - mainly of folks who couldn't possibly remember life pre-Vatican II...

[sinkspur]

It's more clear to do it in a language people don't understand? Do people prefer not to understand what is being said to them at Mass?

Some like the Latin and the mystery it evokes.

I'd be curious how many of the parishoners say the Rosary during Mass. That always struck me as bizarre.

[Antoninus]

I'd be curious how many of the parishoners say the Rosary during Mass. That always struck me as bizarre.

None, from what I've seen. The Rosary is said before mass. There are also confessions before every mass (complete with lines that sometimes get pretty long), and exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after mass.

[Exit148]

I've always felt that the Mass lost something when it went 'folk'.

I don't mean to compare the Mass to an opera, but I also prefer an opera in its original language. You don't have to know any particular language to know what is going on. The Latin words, in a Mass, give you a meaning that you can 'feel inside' and they bring a solemnity to the service that English can't. (IMMHO)

[nickcarraway]

How far is Berlin from the Newark area? (My family lives in Summit) I haven't been back in just over a year, but I was already planning to check out St. Agnes in Manhattan next time I go back.

[nickcarraway]

How far is Berlin from the Newark area? (My family lives in Summit) I haven't been back in just over a year, but I was already planning to check out St. Agnes in Manhattan next time I go back.

[Incorrigible]

Bump

[nickcarraway]

Saying Rosaries during Mass used to be okay, but I think the practice is now discouraged. I just can't remember where I read about that.