I read this article by Jan Reagor. I understand that many people prefer to celebrate the Novis Ordo Mass in their native tongue. However, there is another side to the preference of the Latin Tridentine Mass.
I grew up attending Mass in Latin. We had missals that showed the Latin on one side and the English translation on the other side. Studying Latin in school was a definite advantage, no doubt. However, I still had to read my missal during Mass. In those days everyone put on their Sunday best for Mass, unlike today where “anything goes.” You could walk into a Latin Mass and hear a pin drop. There was a deep reverence for the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle. Everyone genuflected and quietly took their place. In my church today it is not uncommon to see people slide into a pew and start talking and laughing with their friends and neighbors. I feel that there is less respect for the Blessed Sacrament. I don’t have to read the prayers in the Missal anymore and as a result, I often get distracted by the priest and the people around me. My participation in the Latin Mass was between my Savior and I. My participation in the Novis Ordo Mass is between my Savior and the congregation (with me included). It’s not a personal experience for me in the English Mass. Sometimes I leave the Novis Ordo Mass with the feeling that I didn’t pray hard enough, or I was too distracted. The gift of the “Blessed Sacrament” keeps me going with the firm desire to pray harder next time.
Years ago after the Latin Mass the congregation recited the “St. Michael Prayer”. I am happy to report that it is now being said again in churches in our Diocese of St. Catharines.
I’m so sorry that the author believes that the Latin Mass takes away the “Miracle.” No matter what language or form is used, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine will always be a “Miracle.” Regardless of our Mass preference, we are blessed to have the opportunity to attend Mass freely, whenever and wherever we can.
Thank you and God Bless You.
Corinne