Why the Traditional Latin Mass?
Faith rooted in Tradition
“In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture. What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.”
– Pope Benedict XVI
Why the Latin Mass?
“Latin Mass” is a bit of misnomer, giving the impression that its only or main characteristic is its language. The Traditional Mass is much more than this, and part of the rich centuries’ old patrimony of the Catholic Church.
The Mass is the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered to God the Father present on the altar under the appearance of bread and wine. The ceremonies of the Traditional Mass are marked by several things missing in our world today: transcendence, reverence, beauty, order and tradition. This is why so many around the world – particularly the young – are attracted to it.
But why is it in Latin?
Latin is one of the traditional ceremonial languages of the Church, transcending any one nation or country, like the Catholic Church herself. A Catholic in Spain prays side-by-side a Catholic in Kenya at the Traditional Mass.
Newcomers sometimes falter at the mention of Latin. However, the language of the Mass is just its clothing. The real essence of it is discovered in the ceremony, the reverence and prayer. The Mass predates universal education, so it speaks in a language all can understand – symbols and ceremony.
Moreover, there are many aids people use to follow the prayers of Mass, such as side-by-side translation Missals and websites. And the sermon is always in English!
Wasn’t the Latin Mass abolished?
One common misconception is that the Latin Mass became irrelevant or was banned by the Catholic Church in the 1960s. It is true a New Mass was published by pope Paul VI in 1970, incorporating modern adaptations and the use of modern languages. However, the Traditional Mass was never formally abrogated.
Pope Benedict XVI famously expressed: “What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.”
The Church has always made a place for the Latin Mass, especially through specially approved Institutes such as the Institute of the Good Shepherd, which are commissioned to preserve it.
What can I expect and how can I participate?
One of the first things to strike a newcomer to the Traditional Mass is the silence. The priest is facing towards the cross in the same direction as the congregation and says many of the prayers inaudibly. This is a gear change, but soon enough the newcomer feels how much more space he has to pray and gradually learns to follow and love the ceremonies.
When coming to the Mass, one should dress modestly. Women traditionally cover their heads with a veil. Only Catholics in a state of grace should present themselves for Holy Communion.
If it is your first time, do not feel you have to know everything. Just soak it in and let the Mass speak to you.
Is there more to it than the Mass?
The Mass is the heart of our community in Launceston, but there is more to us than this. We focus on Catholic Faith formation, introduction to the Catholic faith, living a wholesome life, building a faith-filled community network for families with all the culture that implies. All of this we do in total fidelity to and in communion with the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV.