I happen to be an R.C. and, being a non-conformist, there is a lot about religion that rubs me the wrong way (and some day, I might get to commenting on that).
However, I am married to someone who believes we should go to mass every Sunday, so spending an hour a week at mass keeps the peace. Also, I do believe Christianity provides good moral lessons for the kids.
Well, back to the issue at hand...
At my parish, we have an old-styled pastor, who thinks the Vatican II Council was a travesty. He thinks the mass should be said in Latin (with the priest facing the alter, and all that old school stuff). And my question is, 'Why Latin?'.
The original reason why mass was said in Latin was because that is the language everyone (in the region where the church was being formalized by Emperor Constantine I) spoke. So to say mass in Latin now does not follow the original reason.
And it is not that Jesus spoke Latin at the Last Supper. Jesus spoke Aramaic, and most likely Hebrew (he was Jewish, and it was the Passover meal).
So the only reason to say a mass in Latin, would be to go back to the dark ages, where the priests tried to hold a some kind level of mysticism over the parishioners. Speaking in tongues that only the anointed priests understood.
There may be some who are interested in going back to that by-gone age when religion had an air of mystery and awe. But I think the smell of Bengay off the attendees at a Latin mass would be too much for me to handle.
BenGay, a little weed, Jean Nate, Old Spice...........hell, I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI studied Latin I, II, and III in high school.
Loved it! A lot of root words in there for English. But more importantly, the Mass is a gathering of the communion of saints and the angels and the rest of us poor slobs. It's a way of my saying hello to my family and friends who have gone before me. I don't need the Latin. I would just like to be touched by the mystery and action of the Holy Ghost. I know I need it.
The Mass is also a rite or ritual. Some Irish guy I used to work with (and he was no stick in the mud)told me that he loved the ritual of the Mass. He felt kind of robbed by Vatican II. So is it true? Do "guys" love ritual?
from the tender of the pear orchard
Do "guys" love ritual? Of course they do. History is loaded with guys doing rituals across all cultures. Rituals usually have the two key ingredients to attract most guys: leaders and followers. But of course, being the non-conformist, I don't go much for rituals. However, I do like routine. For example, my morning coffees.
ReplyDeleteFor those interested in the history of the language used for Mass, here is a good synopsis.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/06/when-did-we-start-celebrating-mass-latin