Author Topic: Priest Using Fast Latin to Save Time? Loose the New Faithful (Read 1108 times)

nadieimportante · « **on:** September 14, 2012, 08:48:03 AM »

I attended a mass the other day where the priest pronounced clearly every word in Latin, and the altar server responded in like manner, it was a catechism by itself, in the beauty of the mass in Latin. It struck me, how that mass contrasted with the mass that I hear weekly at my chapel, where the priest flies through the mass, with the Latin barely being intelligible.

Now, I’ve been attending the Latin mass for 17 years now, and so I know the mass thoroughly, therefore, for me personally, it is no big deal if the priest reads unintelligible fast, however, the beauty of the mass is lost. I do however care very much about all the newcomers to the mass, and the children, those that are learning, an unintelligible Latin mass is a great loss to them, and for what, to save a 3 minutes in performing the mass?

Even in the SSPX, they talk today about more participation by the faithful, by standing and singing with the chorus, by more responses (dialogue mass), and yet, the greatest participation, the hearing of the mass, is eliminated completely by these unintelligible fast Latin masses. The greatest catechism on the supernatural is lost by depriving the faithful of truly hearing the mass. The faithful have ears to hear, but they can't hear.

What a pleasure it was to once again hear a priest pronounce clearly every word in Latin, and the altar server responded in like manner. Anyone privileged to hear a mass like that every day or every Sunday, would learn the mass in short order. That is how I learned the mass when I first started going to the Latin mass, the priest and the altar server pronounced every word perfectly.

Since scarcely anyone really speaks Latin anymore, let me put this complaint in perspective; just say the Our Father in English (or your native language) to a foreigner, or someone who has never heard it before, or a child, and say it as fast as you can, and see how absurd you sound, and how they will have no interest in learning it from you. That is how the Latin mass is heard and received from a priest and altar server who flies through the Latin.

Infiguris · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2012, 09:16:44 AM »

I agree that the beauty of the Latin language is very much about the beauty and dignity of the Mass of All Time.
Unfortunately, the Latin edition of the English-speaking priests is usually terrible! They are omitting some syllables, often change the meaning of the entire word. I wonder about that sloppiness. Many of the faithful, especially from Europe, have been in contact with Latin at school or at the University and sometimes I ask myself the question, even as it relates to the validity of the Mass not only its beauty.

:scratchchin:

LaramieHirsch · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2012, 02:42:11 PM »

Yeah, I think that the reason I'm not just totally turned on to the Latin Mass as much as I should be (and would like to be), is because every Latin Mass I've attended has a priest who speeds through the Latin, muttering it quietly up there near the altar.

If only the priest pronounced his Latin clearly, boldly, and loudly. I can only imagine how much more interesting the Tridentine Mass would be in that case.

As Latin Mass starts to trickle in and return to the Tulsa, Oklahoma diocese in the upcoming years, priests ought to proudly and loudly flaunt the Catholic Tradition so that all may recognize it. They ought not mutter it quietly.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2012, 02:47:37 AM »

I entirely agree, that Latin prayers said quickly are more of a distraction than
a prayer. The same goes for any language. Our Lady came at Fatima to tell the
children not to rush their prayers. In fact, even the Angel of Portugal (probably
St. Michael Archangel) taught them that a year previous to the Marian
apparitions. I have to wonder what it would be like to have a catechism class
run by an Archangel. No wonder the children didn't go running home to tell their
parents what had happened!

It was so bad, they were saying, "Hail Mary, Holy Mary, Hail Mary, Holy Mary..."

How many times do you meet with others for the Rosary and someone in the
group always rushes the words? They do it loudly, and they finish each Hail Mary
before anyone else, and they keep doing it? That's probably the DEVIL having
his way with them! Or a priest, even who persists in rushing the Leonine Prayers
after Low Mass? Which reminds me, I know one priest who does those in Latin,
and his speed is much too fast, so he always leaves the congregation behind
with his St. Michael prayer, especially. That's not any good at all.

But as for the Mass, the only people I have known in my life who were impressed
when a priest "gets through the Mass fast," have been very worldly people. Those
who have died have not died with anything like edification, sad to say. They have
died alone, or apparently unprovided. I think that's a message for us. How does
someone die? With the sacraments, and with a prayer on their lips? And if so, how
did they live their life? How did they pray the Mass? Comprehensibly?

I knew a priest from England whose pronunciation of Latin was absolutely
gorgeous. I asked him to send me a cassette tape of him praying the Last Gospel,
John 1, 1-14, and the Pater Noster. I listened to that over and over. A priest should
know that there are faithful who appreciate intelligible pronunciation, and those
who are "hell bent" on hearing a "fast Mass" are heading for their own destruction.

Also, keep in mind that traditionally (before the 1962 missal and rubrics) there
were 3 different volumes for the priest, projecting, like the Credo, Gloria, and
Preface, and then a quiet voice, like for the Secret and the Canon, not intended
for anyone beyond the servers to hear, and then there is a medium tone, which
only those up in the front pews would hear. If you're in the back of the church,
you won't be able to hear the medium tone voice. That ought to inspire you to
take a seat up front!! DUUUH.

In 1962 they dumped the medium tone, and a bunch of other things as well.
This is another reason to avoid the 1962 missal. But you can use the missal
and still preserve the older rubrics. Nobody can say that's an "abuse." Not even
the Pope can say that's an "abuse." Read Quo Primum.