THE Pope is taking steps to revive the ancient tradition of the Latin Tridentine Mass in Catholic churches worldwide, according to sources in Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI is understood to have signed a universal indult — or permission — for priests to celebrate again the Mass used throughout the Church for nearly 1,500 years. The indult could be published in the next few weeks, sources told The Times.
Use of the Tridentine Mass, parts of which date from the time of St Gregory in the 6th century and which takes its name from the 16th-century Council of Trent, was restricted by most bishops after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).
(The Tridentine Mass is celebrated entirely in Latin, except for a few words and phrases in Greek and Hebrew. There are long periods of silence and the priest has his back to the congregation .)
This led to the introduction of the new Mass in the vernacular to make it more accessible to contemporary audiences. By bringing back Mass in Latin, Pope Benedict is signalling that his sympathies lie with conservatives in the Catholic Church.
Catholic bloggers have been anticipating the indult for months. The Cornell Society blog says that Father Martin Edwards, a London priest, was told by Cardinal Joseph Zen, of Hong Kong, that the indult had been signed. Cardinal Zen is alleged to have had this information from the Pope himself in a private meeting.
9 comments:
I would like to see the Mass said in Latin, but not all of the time, I like the Mass now because the Priest faces the people and I think everyone feels more involved in the Mass as a whole.
Is this going to be a universal thing or just "an allowable option"?
Good question unseen one, I was just thinking of the same thing.
Does anyone know, Powerball???
Well right now it just a rumor. Don't believe anything "out of the Vatican" unless the pope says it. The Latin Mass is already an option in this area. Holy Wisdom on the Northside has a latin mass.
If I had to guess I would say it would be an option. There are many Catholics that have never attended a latin mass.
I'd like to see a full return myself.
Thanks for your response, Powerball, I would like to see the Latin Mass come back too, but not every Sunday.
Will the people be taught Latin so they can directly benefit from this change?
When you attend a latin mass the Missalette is in english as well so you do know what is being said.
In the past a required part of Catholic education was to learn latin. It amazing to see how much of the english language and the root of words are based on latin.
When I was in grade school the Mass was said in Latin, and we had to learn the Latin language, it was a wonderful experience one that I wouldn't trade for anything.
I had to deal with a lot of Latin in dealign with the scientific names of fish and reptiles I was breeding, and it's neat to experience the cross-over into other parts of life!
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