With very few exceptions during Holy Week, hymns at Mass have never been part of the Catholic tradition. Hymns are for the Liturgy of the Hours. Restoring the chants of the Propers is a step in the right direction for the Novus Ordo. But, if you truly want to follow Vatican II, they would, along with the Ordinary, be sung in Latin. 98% of the liturgical changes were contrary to what the Council called for. It’s time to acknowledge this and ditch the Protestant liturgy we now have.
Re: "Source and Summit offers the ability for parishes to sing the Mass entirely in English, Bartlett said, something that’s in line with what the Second Vatican Council had in mind": I think this may be incorrect. "Undoubtedly, Latin is the language that has the most longevity in the Roman Liturgy: It has been in use for over sixteen centuries, that is to say, from the time when the official liturgical language of the Church went from Greek to Latin – a change completed under Pope Damasus (+384). The official liturgical books of the Roman Rite are still published in Latin today (editio typica).
The Code of Canon Law (canon 928) stipulates: “The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language or in another language provided that the liturgical texts have been legitimately approved.” Taking into consideration the present situation, this canon translates in a concise manner the teaching of the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council.
The well-known number 36 of Sacrosanctum Concilium established the following principle:
“Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites”(§ 1).
In this sense, the Code affirms first of all: “The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language.”
Lovely article. Really glad there are more and more traditional Missal options in English!
Had I read this article before the pontificate of Francis I would have been elated but now I can only sigh and say, "If only."
I truly hope we see the fruits of this work in our parishes!
With very few exceptions during Holy Week, hymns at Mass have never been part of the Catholic tradition. Hymns are for the Liturgy of the Hours. Restoring the chants of the Propers is a step in the right direction for the Novus Ordo. But, if you truly want to follow Vatican II, they would, along with the Ordinary, be sung in Latin. 98% of the liturgical changes were contrary to what the Council called for. It’s time to acknowledge this and ditch the Protestant liturgy we now have.
Re: "Source and Summit offers the ability for parishes to sing the Mass entirely in English, Bartlett said, something that’s in line with what the Second Vatican Council had in mind": I think this may be incorrect. "Undoubtedly, Latin is the language that has the most longevity in the Roman Liturgy: It has been in use for over sixteen centuries, that is to say, from the time when the official liturgical language of the Church went from Greek to Latin – a change completed under Pope Damasus (+384). The official liturgical books of the Roman Rite are still published in Latin today (editio typica).
The Code of Canon Law (canon 928) stipulates: “The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language or in another language provided that the liturgical texts have been legitimately approved.” Taking into consideration the present situation, this canon translates in a concise manner the teaching of the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council.
The well-known number 36 of Sacrosanctum Concilium established the following principle:
“Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites”(§ 1).
In this sense, the Code affirms first of all: “The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language.”
In the sections which follow, Sacrosanctum Concilium admits of the possibility of using also the vernacular languages..." https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/details/ns_lit_doc_20091117_lingua-latina_en.html