The Importance of Tradition in the Liturgy: Latin

In continuing my series of articles on traditions in the Mass, my next topic is arguably the most important and most iconic tradition of the Roman Rite. Latin, up until the Second Vatican Council, was almost the sole language used in the Roman Rite of the Mass. For hundreds of years, the words used for the ordinary, comprised of the Sanctus, the Gloria, the Credo, the Kyrie (which is Greek text but still part of the ordinary), and the Agnus Dei stayed the same. Only after the Vatican II was the use of latin almost completely eliminated from the Mass.

Something that perfectly sums up why Latin needs to be given its rightful place in the Mass is an anecdote I have from a trip I took to Mexico with my mother this summer. On Sunday, we stepped foot into the closest Catholic Church for Mass. During Mass, I could barely understand what was being said or sung at any given point. Do you know why? I couldn’t understand what was being said because it wasn’t the same words I usually hear back at home. Even though I speak Spanish, I did not know the correct words to say, and I felt terribly lost.

One of the main reasons Latin was, and should again be universally implemented is that the words are always the same everywhere in the world! How amazing would it be for an American attending Mass in France to know exactly what to say and when to say it? How amazing would it be for a Brazilian to attend Mass in Iceland and know exactly what to say and when to say it? This is one of the reasons why Latin was used all over the world before Vatican II! Having a common language during the Mass gives a tremendous sense of universality and unity to the faithful.

We Catholics often talk about community and universality almost as much we talk about Christ! What a better way to really express this universality and community than by saying the same words at Mass all over the world? For me, the thought that Mass in my hometown of Tampa, Florida could look and sound the same as Mass all over the world gives me chills. The possibility that two people on opposite sides of the world could be singing the same words at their respective Masses should give every Catholic an amazing sense of unity.

Catholics around the world have lost a sense of unity with their brethren in Christ. What better way to reunite under the banner of Christ than to proclaim the same words at every Mass, all over the world? This Sunday, my prayers will be in Latin. Join me and the choirs of angels as we acclaim: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus…..