I do not consider myself a liberal in any way, shape, or form. Some of my friends would say that I am a conservative. I prefer to use the term “Orthodox” to describe who I am. I believe in the teachings of the Church and do my best to adhere to them and to teach them.
But, at the same time, I am a child of this age.
Thank God for Vatican II. Pope John XXIII “opened the windows” and let the Spirit in when he called that council. One of the fruits of the council was the ability to celebrate Mass in the vernacular, the tongue of the people.
This afternoon, we had our Investiture Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The Mass was in Latin.
Oh, my God. They don’t call it a “dead language” for nothing! It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Some of the older laity and clergy participated fully but most of the people could not even follow along with the worship aid. After all, they do not know how to speak the language even if it is in front of them.
Times change and, with it, we change as well. Sometimes that change is seen as for the good, sometimes, not so much.
Allowing us to celebrate our liturgies in our own languages, in my humble opinion, is a wonderful gift to the Church.
That being said, congratulations to the many new Ladies and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
