The Roman Rite

There are, of course, many rites of Holy Mass. They are all considered Catholic. According to the new canon law of 1983, strictly speaking, you may fulfill your Sunday obligation by participating in any of the following (and a few more.)The Byzatine Rite is called Liturgy, and that is for the East. The Coptic Rite is more Egyptian. The Syriach Rite for the Palestinians and in the native tongue of Jesus. The Maronite Rite is glory of Lebanon, also in Aramaic.

Then, we look at the Latin Rites. Milan can use the Ambrosian Rite. The Carmamelites, the Dominicans, and the Carthusians are religious orders that have their own Rite. However, it was the champions known as the Franciscans that spread the Rite of Rome to the world. These all have the unification of being offered in the same language: Latin.

The Roman Rite is found in 99% of the parishes around town. A little known fact is that Vatican II focused only on the Roman Rite, and any rite that changed after Vatican II did not change by promulgation, but by adapting the Spirit of Vatican II. This blog entry will focus on the Roman Rite only.

The Holy Father says there are two forms of the Roman Rite. One is the "ordinary form," from the Missal of Paul VI, the other is the "extraordinary form," the Mass of John XXIII. Both are written in Latin. The Mass that 99% of parishioners hear is an English translation of the Latin Mass. There is no argument that the first attempt of turning it into English was not so much of a "translation" as it was an attempt to communicate the ideas from Latin to English. This is being corrected with the new translation. So, this year, we will have the Mass of Paul VI in English.

On to the Mass of John the XXIII. This Mass was never popularized in the vernacular. It does have an vernacular translation, and that is found in a thousands of hand missals all over the world. Latin on one side, English, Portuguese, French, Chinese, (you name it) on the other. This is to help people around the world worship God, all in a unified way. The Mass in Italy is the Mass in China is the Mass in Mexico is the Mass in the Philippines. While having Holy Mass in your own language might be nice, especially convienient if you cant read, one can make a case that there is still a language barrier. There are a lot of Polls in my diocese. I would be so lost if I went to a Polish Mass. Even Spanish Mass would be too much for me. So, it can be said that Mass in the vernacular has to, by language's very nature, exclude some people. I.e. there can not be one language that will please everyone. However, there is one language... in a very Lord of the Rings way... to rule them all (and in the darkness bind them?)

Latin is the official Language of our Church.

" The Latin language can be called truly catholic. It has been consecrated through constant use by the Apostolic See, the mother and teacher of all Churches, and must be esteemed "a treasure ... A most efficacious bond which unites in an admirable an unalterable continuity the Church of today with that of yesterday and of tomorrow."

-Pope John XXIII. Veterum Sapientia

Not only is it beautiful, but it is dead. Not being a living language that changes meaning over time is exactly what we need to mean the exact same things Catholics meant 1900 years ago, and what us Catholics will mean in 1900 years.. What else does the Church say about Latin?

"Care must be taken to ensure 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."- Vatican II. Sacrosanctum Concillium.

So, technically, we should have been taught by our parish priests the responses to the Latin Mass, but many of us have not. What to do now?

My suggestion would be to go to the "extraordinary form." The first time you go it will be confusing. No doubt about it. Sit in the pew second from the front. You can see the sanctuary better, and there will be someone in front of you who knows when to stand, sit, and kneel. You may not know whats being said, but don't worry. The prayers are magnificent. Try to read them ahead of time. If you try to follow along because the person next to you hands you a missalette, you are still going to get lost. The first time it may be best just to observe. If the priest doesn't say anything out loud for a while, enjoy the sacred silence in prayer (he's busy talking to God, not you.) If you feel offended his back is facing you, just think, he is leading you on a march to Calvary. After Holy Mass is over, you may not like it one bit OR you may like it very much. I would ask that you give it a second try regardless. The Latin doesn't bother you as much the second time, and you know what to expect which is half the battle.

While we're learning "where is the bathroom" in 50 languages, my opinion is we should learn the Pater Noster, the Ave Maria, and the Gloria Patri. Also, these two responses should get you started...

Et cum spiritu tuo "eht coom spee-ree-too too-oh" (And with thy spirit.) The response to "Dominus Vobiscum."

Amen "Ah-men" (after prayers. Often the answer to "Per omnia saecula saeculorum.")

There are a few more, but just learn a couple at a time. This way, when we are around people who don't know English, we could be eager to say, "Celebremus in Latinum"(lets celebrate in Latin) and the might respond "Nunc dices es" (now youre talking!) How unifying!