Association for Latin Liturgy
Under the patronage of the Bishops' Conference of England
and Wales.
Founded in 1969 to encourage and extend the use of Latin in the liturgy of the
Catholic Church.
The Roman Church has special obligations towards Latin . . . and she must manifest them whenever the opportunity presents itself.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I
Q: Is it legal to celebrate Mass in Latin?
A: Emphatically YES! The Second Vatican Council authorized Bishops to permit priests to say some (later all) of the Mass in an approved version of the local vernacular. It also set up a Commission to consider revisions to the Roman Missal. The Roman Missal was revised and a new edition published in 1969. This edition, often referred to as the Missal of Paul VI, was published in Latin and it is from this definitive text that all vernacular missals of the Roman Rite throughout the world are derived. Care must be taken not to confuse this with the use of the pre-1969 Roman Missal (often referred to as the Missal of Pius V, who published that edition in 1570, or as the 'Tridentine' Missal). The pre-1969 edition was superseded by the 1969 edition, and may only be used with a bishop's permission which may be granted under an Indult given by Pope John Paul II.
SUMMARY OF CONCILIAR AND POST-CONCILIAR RULINGS ON LATIN AND LATIN MUSIC
A Roman Documents
- Al Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963)
- A2 Instruction Musicam Sacram (1967)
- A3 Notification by the Congregation for Divine Worship (1971)
- A4 Notification by the Congregation for Divine Worship (1974)
B Statements authorized by the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales
- B1 Bishops' Statement of May 1966
- B2 Statement of November 1966 issued by the National Commission for Catholic Church Music
- B3 Bishops' Statement of April 1968
- B4 Music in the Mass (February 1969) issued by the National Commission for Catholic Church Music
- B5 Bishops' Statement of October 1969
- B6 Bishops' Statement of April 1975
The relevant extracts from these statements are reproduced below.
The Association is under the patronage of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and in January 1998 its Standing Committee confirmed its appreciation of the Association' s work "…and the generous energy you expend in promoting the celebration [in Latin] of the Novus Ordo Missae, in full or in part, and particularly with regard to your promotion of the use of Gregorian chant."
SUMMARY OF CONCILIAR AND POST-CONCILIAR RULINGS ON LATIN AND LATIN MUSIC
A. ROMAN DOCUMENTS
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963)
- Though existing special exemptions are to remain in force, the use of Latin is to be preserved in the Latin rites (art. 36, quoted also in the Instruction Musicam Sacram (1967), art. 47).
- Steps must be taken to ensure that the faithful are able to say or sing together, also in Latin, those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them (art. 54, quoted also in the Instruction Inter oecumeni (1964), art. 59, the Instruction Musicam Sacram (1967), art. 47, and the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (1969), art. 19).
- The treasury of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care (art. 114). 4. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical functions. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action (art. 116, quoted also in the Instruction Musicam Sacram (1967), art. 50).
Instruction Musicam Sacram (1967)
Large choirs existing in basilicas, cathedrals, monasteries and other major churches, which in the course of centuries have earned for themselves high renown by preserving and developing a musical heritage of inestimable value, should be retained for sacred celebrations of a more elaborate kind, according to their own traditional norms, recognized and approved by the Ordinary (art. 20). Where the vernacular has been introduced into the celebration of Mass, the local Ordinaries will judge where it may be opportune to preserve one or more Masses celebrated in Latin, especially sung Masses, in certain churches, above all in large cities, where the faithful of different languages congregate (art. 48, quoted in the Notification on the Roman Missal, Liturgy of the Hours and Calendar (1971), art. 4).
Notification by the Congregation for Divine Worship (1971)
From the day when the definitive translations become of obligation in vernacular celebrations, those who continue with Latin must only use the new texts, both for the Mass and for the Liturgy of the Hours (art. 2).
Notification by the Congregation for Divine Worship (1974)
Whenever an Episcopal Conference decrees that the Roman Missal in the vernacular must be introduced in its area, either in whole or in part, e.g. the Ordo Missae, mass thereafter may only be celebrated, whether in Latin or the vernacular, according to the rite of the Roman Missal promulgated by the authority of Pope Paul VI on 3 April 1969.
Bishops' Statement of May 1966
Every encouragement should be given to reciting or singing of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, on those occasions where it is possible, fitting and convenient. Definite steps must be taken to see that knowledge of the Latin Mass is not lost.
B. STATEMENTS AUTHORIZED BY THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Statement of November 1966 issued by the National Commission for Catholic Church Music
- There is no indication, either in the decrees of Vatican Council II or in subsequent documents. that the Church has any intention of abandoning the Latin liturgy - indeed the contrary is very evident (art. 31).
- It is to be hoped that those choirs which are able, will continue to perform such Latin music as suits their pastoral situation (art. 32).
- In cathedrals and larger churches, and in churches which are attended by visitors from abroad, one may expect to find, together with the sung English liturgy, solemn celebrations of a more traditional kind, in which the Church's legacy of music has a natural place (art. 34).
- In every parish the congregation should be able to sing Credo III (Latin) and at least one setting of the Ordinary in Latin (art. 35).
Bishops' Statement of October 1969
- The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has decided that the new Order of Mass is to be used in all Catholic churches from the first Sunday of Lent (15 February) 1970 onwards.
- The use of Latin in celebrating the new mass rite will be encouraged as it has been in the old; Latin expresses the nature of the Church as international and timeless.
Bishops' Statement of April 1975
The Missal of Pope Paul VI has now replaced all other missals in the Roman rite. This is a law of the Church and must be obeyed. Exceptions to the law have only been authorized for old or sick priests who may celebrate the old rite privately. An indult was granted to the Bishops of England and Wales to give permission to particular groups on special occasions to use the old rite as reformed in 1967. This permission was given on the strict condition that all danger of division would be avoided. For devotional reasons a group may be given leave to have a Mass in this rite. At all parish and community Masses, however, the rite is obligatory, whether it is in Latin or English.
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