In the motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum,” issued in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI declared that the Mass currently celebrated throughout the Catholic Church is the normal form of the Mass.
Tag: Latin
Latin was introduced as a vernacular language
To the editor:
In the article “Latin Mass appeal” in the Catholic Herald (February 11, 2010), Kenneth J. Wolfe does not mention that Latin was introduced into the liturgy as a vernacular language for the Romans by Pope Saint Callistus between 217 and 222 AD. He felt sorry for the Romans since they could not understand Greek. Latin was their speaking language.
He does not mention that the language of the first Mass, the Last Supper, was Aramaic.
Preserve some Latin words but offer Mass in vernacular
To the editor:
On Kenneth J. Wolfe’s article, “Latin Mass appeal” (Catholic Herald, February 11, 2010), I would like to make two comments.
When the language of the Mass was changed from Hebrew/Aramaic to Greek to suit the Greek worshipers, two Hebrew words were preserved: Amen and Alleluja. When later the Greek language yielded to Latin in Western Europe, three Greek words were preserved: Kyrie, Christe, eleison.