AT a recent gathering of Catholic Actionists, we discussed at some length the desirability of the Mass both in Latin and the language of the people— eventually arriving at a vote of 70% in favour of 1.atin.
As all thinking Catholics appreciate, there could be farreaching consequences in the event of a change! Dare I suggest that you institute a Poll? As it seems there may not be so many wanting to substitute ' Latin as one might have supposed.
(Miss) Marie Guest Bulcote.
Does no one spare even a thought of sympathy for those who dearly love the liturgy in its ancient and universal form, and now are about to lose it, and for the ever growing number of people going to strange countries who will no longer have the consolation of the Mass in the same familiar Latin heard at home?
Many of us will never be able to love the vernacular form of the liturgy as we love the one that we are losing. It must be a great sacrifice for many priests to change the wellknown rites, willingly borne for the sake of their flock, but for how many of their flock is it a similarly great sacrifice, again willingly accepted for the sake of the rest. if it is really necessary. But is it?
I have seen a single-handed
priest of a milling parish,. with very few members who knew any Latin, teach the community within a few months not only to answer Dialogue Mass, but to sing the Missa .de Att,eelis and much of the Holy Week liturgy, and a group of junior children in another industrial parish sing not only the Mass but some of the simpler psalms in perfect Latin, taught by a few keen teachers. Must all this be turned into wasted effort?
And are we right to discard such a unique bond between the world's nations as the Latin language?
Clara Maid, M,B., B.Chir. Stock ton-op-Tees.
Surely Fr. Clifford Howell over-estimates the difficulties. The work has been done for us, and very well done, by the Church of England, who have, at Choral Eucharist, been singing the Common in congregation for years. I don't think the literary beauty of the translations in the Book of Common Prayer can he questioned. That they can be sung is a fact—there must be dozens of settings. I only know one, which was used at Edwinstowe parish church when I was a boy.
I thoroughly enjoyed joining in the Gloria. Creed (Nicene) and Agnus Del. I can't remember the Sanctus I'm afraid.
I could even sing them to Fr. Clifford next time he is this way. H. B. Armstrong