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The Latin Mass is also referred to as the Tridentine Mass. However, the two terms are not interchangeable. The Tridentine Mass is so named because it is the form of Mass produced for the Western Church after the Council Of Trent , a Town in Northern Italy , whose Name in Latin is "Tridentum". The Council lasted from 1545 to 1563, with intermissions. In September of 1562 the Doctrine of the Mass was determined. By decree of the Council, the actual Reform of the Mass Rite was left to the Pope , then Pius IV , and his successors.

The term , administering Sacraments , reciting the Divine Office , and performing other ecclesiastical functions (blessings, all kinds of Sacramentals, etc.) as used in the City and Diocese of Rome . The Roman Rite is the most wide-spread in Christendom ."

A liturgical Form of this type generally has two components, a spoken Element and a Music al element.

A translated segment of the Latin liturgy (the Introduction) follows:

Greeting:

Priest: In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

Greeting: (in Latin)

Priest: In nòmine Patris, et Fìlii,
et Spìritus Sancti.

Congregation: Amen.

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.

Congregation: And also with you.

Priest: (in Latin) Gràtia Dòmini nostri Jesu Christi,
et càritas Dei, et communicàtio Sancti Spìritus
sit cum òmnibus vobis.

Congregation: Et cum spiritu tuo.


WORDS OF DISSENT


The language used in the liturgy has often been a source of spirited Debate in the Church. Numerous Books and Homilies have been written to address this issue, and it is one that is still in contention for many Roman Catholic Christians. Opinions range from employing an all-Latin ritual, an all-Greek ritual, an all-local-language ritual, or even a Mix of these languages.

The use of the Latin Liturgy began to see diminished use in the latter half of the twentieth century as the Church considered it more beneficial to conduct ceremonies in modern languages, so as to render the Content of the liturgies more understandable by the congregations. However, many Churchgoers consider the use of Latin in the Church liturgy as having greater solemnity and inspirational qualities. The use of the Latin liturgy is currently experiencing a resurgence in many Catholic congregations, and various organizations are actively promoting this reform within the Church, such as Adoremus, '''Una Voce''' and the '''Latin Liturgy Association'''.

Many consider Latin to be the Church's traditional language of in Islam , Sanskrit in Hinduism and Hebrew in Judaism . In addition, for many, the use of a sacral language lends solemnity and otherworldliness to religious proceedings; use of an original liturgical languages can be considered to overcome limitations of Time and also of place, linking modern-day worshippers with their earlier counterparts. Finally, the proponents of Latin liturgy say that the use of Latin further enhances the rendering of certain liturgical Music of the Church, such as Gregorian chanting, which is also referred to as Polyphonic , plain chant, or Plain Song .

No issues related to liturgical Change have affected the Eastern Orthodox Church, which did not experience a Reformation . There have been no councils to modify form and music. The Eastern Church still consistently uses the early Christian forms and includes the use of the Greek Language consistently in its liturgical forms. This practice has contributed to a high level of uniformity in the liturgies offered in the Eastern Orthodox congregations.


OPINION OF THE POPE


Regarding the parallel use of two liturgical languages in the Roman Catholic Church, the then-Cardinal ."

He then encouraged fellow Roman Catholics to not be overly concerned or worried about the existence of the two parallel liturgies by stating that "Such anxieties and Fears must cease! If in the two forms of celebration the unity of the Faith and the unicity of the Mystery should appear clearly, that could only be a reason to rejoice and thank the Good Lord . In the Measure to which all of us believers live and act according to these motivations, we can also persuade the Bishops that the Presence of the Old liturgy does not Trouble or Harm the Unity of their diocese, but is rather a Gift destined to build up the Body of Christ , of which we are all the Servants ."


REFERENCES


Cardinal Ratzinger’s speech on the Liturgy, given in Rome on October 24, 1998.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent Version, '''The Roman Rite'''


EXTERNAL LINKS


Adoremus: http://www.adoremus.org/

Cardinal Ratzinger's Speech on the Liturgy (full text):
http://www.latin-liturgy.org.uk/News/RatzingerArticle.html

Latin Liturgy Association: http://www.latinliturgy.com/

Una Voce: http://www.unavoce.org/