Compromising on liturgy.

01

I understand "compromise" to mean that both sides make concessions. Yet Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese hopes that the Traditional Latin Mass will eventually disappear (NCRonline.org/node/304876, June 26, 2025). He bluntly states that there is "nothing sacred about Latin."

In about 1966, I remember attending what we knew was the last Latin Mass at our parish. I instinctively felt that we were losing something beautiful. Yes, we were gaining the vernacular and more participation. But, we were losing centuries of unity of language for our church throughout the world.

In Europe, and sometimes in the U.S., I have attended Masses that have the main parts of the Mass--the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei--sung in the Greek or Latin, with all the rest of the Mass in the local language. When Mass is in Icelandic or German, those holy words sung by all of us together are sacred. I may not understand all of the homily, but I am praying the Mass with other Catholics, in words so many of our saints also prayed. I am home.

It is sad to see the Latin Mass become a source of division in our church. But let's not dismiss our Latin as something that needs to disappear. I don't see compromise there.

MARY DAVIDSON

Raleigh. North Carolina

Caption: -CNS/Lola Gomez

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