Sacred language

Anonymous, as one of those people who loves to sing and pray in Latin (at Mass and beyond), perhaps I can shed some light for you. I am close to your age, so my experience of Latin in the Mass (or lack thereof) growing up is similar to yours. My appreciation of Latin has emerged only in recent years. Maybe this can be one of those conversations that Fr. V. is trying to encourage us to have where people can come to a better understanding of one another by clearing up some misconceptions and misunderstandings. I've been thinking about this for a long time and have considered writing about it, and your post gives me an incentive to finally get my thoughts on "paper." I don’t think that is “holier” to sing and pray in Latin, but I do believe there is something particularly appropriate about it, and I much appreciate it whenever I get the chance. So here are some reasons why I love it when we use Latin in the Mass (at least part of the time):

LATIN IS OUR SACRED LANGUAGE

Many other faiths have their own sacred language

Something so sacred as the Mass warrants the use of a sacred language.

The Church has developed it's own form of Latin (Ecclesiastical Latin) for use in the Church unlike the Latin used on the street back at the time. Some of the words and the pronunciation differed even from the classical Latin used in ancient Rome.

Familiarity breeds contempt. Mystery.

Latin is the language normally used by exorcists. Hated by the devil.

The Church's official language. Since it is dead, it is unchangeable. It preserves doctrine.

Master

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_language

LATIN IS OUR OWN LANGUAGE: NO ONE ELSE USES IT

Watch "Latin is a Sacred Language" on YouTube

While Hebrew is

No one uses it (well, excepp for except for doctors and lawyers in thei

1) Latin is the sacred language of our Church. Since it is no longer used for conversation anywhere in the world, the Latin language is ours alone. Because it is reserved only for Catholic worship (and for official Church documents), it takes up a special meaning for us. I think of how people in other religions sing in their sacred languages, for example, the Jews who use lots of Hebrew in their worship. Here’s a cantor singing at Yom Kippur at a synagogue . I have to think the Jews in this congregation wouldn’t have it any other way. This same cantor sang at a multifaith 9/11 memorial gathering, and I bet that those in attendance who didn’t understand were still moved in a prayerful way by the beauty of his chant. I like to think of our use of Latin as comparable to that beautiful Elvish language in Lord of the Rings. To me, Latin, like Tolkein's Elvish, is more aesthetically pleasing than English, especially when sung. Take a listen to this hauntingly beautiful elvish song. Even without understanding, we can appreciate the beauty and mystery of this song in this special language. A viewer writes in the comment box: “There is just something magical in this. Despite the fact that I don't understand a single word of the lyrics, they're still so stunningly beautiful.”

I think the style of the music (Gregorian chant and some of our traditional hymns), in and of itself, evokes a sense of the sacred even for unbelievers. But for me as a Catholic, because the language and the style of music is set apart for Catholic worship, simply hearing it prepares my mind and heart for prayer, not unlike the feeling one gets in walking into a beautiful cathedral. It quiets my heart and lifts it heavenward and almost literally draws me to my knees.

2) LATIN IS THE HISTORICAL LANGUAGE OF THE CHURCH

It's part of our heritage. Many of us have a particular fondness for the language or our ancestors. I have a particular affinity for German given that I am mostly German, and that evokes my connection with the land and the culture my ancestors. What a joy it would be to find a letter written by my great-great grandfather in German and, with the help of someone who knows German, to come to understand it's meaning so much so that I could pick it up myself at a later date and still comprehend it.

Similarly, some of the most beautiful and powerful prayers of the Church, written by our spiritual ancestor in Latin. I don't know that any prayers or hymns surpass the beauty and depth of Thomas Aquinas's Eucharistic hymns which he wrote for the feast of Corpus Christi. Thomas was a brilliant scholar, perhaps the brightest mind God has ever given the Church, but he also was deeply in love with God. What a treasure it is that we still have the fruit of that magnificent mind and heart in the original language in which he wrote it. When we sing Tantum Ergo in Latin at Benediction, we in union with Thomas as he would have sung it over 700 years ago, and in union with Catholics all around the world throughout all those years! What a treasured gift that is!

2) Universal language of the Church I really appreciate the fact that Latin is is still used, at least a little, throughout the entire Church. When our family was in Europe last summer, we attended the Holy Mass (Heilege Meise!) in Germany. The only parts I understood were those in Latin. It was wonderful to be able to sing the praise of God in the Gloria alongside Germans with whom I couldn't even have a conversation. We were united in the Lord, through the gift of the Church’s continued use of Latin for at least some parts of the Mass. Back in the day when Latin was the only language used in the Mass, you could attend a Mass anywhere in the world and feel as much at home with the language as you would in your own parish.

3) Our traditional Latin sacred music is broadly appealing in its beauty

It has disappointed me, in my love for the beauty and sacredness of our traditional music and sacred language, that it seems that some of my fellow Catholics have a strong averse reaction to it. You were respectful, gentle, and cooperative how you expressed your preference, but I have also experienced a passionate disdain for this very music that touches my soul like no other. It is hard for me to understand the resistance.

First of all, I only really appreciate the Latin when I understand most of it word for word. So I have taken it upon myself to look closely at literal translations so that I know what we are singing. I really enjoy the fact that many of Latin words we sing serve as the root of familiar English words eg. "terra" (meaning "earth") is the root of terrestrial (meaning "earthly") or "coeli" (meaning "heaven") is the root of celestial (meaning "heavenly'). But I like it even better when I know what it means. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfRJSKk2Ls. But I think it would be a real loss if the elves were to sing that song in English.

Likewise, I feel the same way about songs and hymns that have been a part of our Church for centuries. Take for example, Pange Lingua Gloriosi. The Latin just has a different more sacred feel to me than the English. Again It's nice to be able to readily understand what you are singing. I get that! Sing my tongue the Savior's Glory (English only) But I love the sound of the Latin, the fact that it is the sacred and universal language of the Church. Pange Lingua Gloriosi (Latin only) Pange Lingua Gloriosi (Latin with English translation) But Follow along with hymn #34 on p. 142. While there is something to be said for just appreciating the beauty of these ancient hymns even when we don't understand, I think pastors would do well to give people every opportunity to learn the sacred language of their own Church.

It's great that the study of Latin is being offered at St. Sebastian. Or at the very least, the opportunity to learn the language of the prayers they sing. I really like the Lingua Angelica series which teaches Latin in the context of traditional Catholic prayers and hymns. Just take a look at the workbook pages for Ave Verum Corpis.

Tantum Ergo by the Sisters of Mary

And you can see how it is possible to learn every word, and how most of the words have some sort of connection with English (corpus -corporal) (cruce - crucify) (verus - verily) (natus - nativity). There's not doubt about it, when one first attends a Latin Mass, it is hard to understand.

I normally go to the regular English Novus Ordo Mass in my own parish, but from time to time I like to attend the Extraordinary Form Mass in Latin. At first I did feel a bit lost, but at the same time I was awed and drawn to the reverence and the sense of the sacred, the otherworldliness of it all. After all the Mass is where heaven meets earth and it is actually is an otherworldly experience. I don't suppose I felt that way just because it was in Latin, but also because of the postures and gestures, the silence, and the style of the music.

DEAD LANGUAGE

Can't be changed. It is fixed.

Imagine the elves in the Lord of the Rings singing in English

Their music sounds sacred and otherworldly, and this is what our music when heaven meets earth in the Mass should sound this different that secular music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Depf1gKhBno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfRJSKk2Ls

Tolkien made up a beautiful new language for the elves.

Listen to the hauntingly beautiful song, Evenstar with captions of Sindarin lyrics with both phonetic spelling and Tengwar script, along with an English translation. It would be a great loss if this song were merely sung in English to make it easy for English listeners to understand. But it is nice to see given the translation so we can understand it while listening to original language.

Or a Jewish cantor singing in English instead of Hebrew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-0Gqn-9dKg

a German cantor is singing in Hebrew, which makes the point. As soon as he starts singing in Hebrew, the language difference is gone!

Silent Night in German

LATIN SOUNDS BETTER WHEN SUNG

LATIN IS TIMELESS

Church was using latin before English was ever even thought of.

LATIN IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF THE CHURCH - NO GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES

IT'S UNIVERSAL

No matter where you go to Mass in the entire world, when Latin is used it is familiar. When I was in Europe, I was lost when the priest was praying the Mass and giving his homily in German, and I couldn't participate with my voice. Yet, when we some of the parts in Latin, using a traditional mellody, I was completely at home.

BEAUTIFUL

IT SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE

Ave Maria - Schubert

Latin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVzbNPm1U8s

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N67N2dGn5W4

Bocelli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwp1CH5R-w4

Groban: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgyy8u3zcf8

EASY TO SING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl350thFxdM

Italian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e85A21XIsRA

Son

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7aQg8-5XJs

LA DONNE E MOBILE

Italian singing no subtitles (Italian and English below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLa6hd8RMpU

Italian singing with Italian subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjVJ1lIoUBw

English singing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PysZGBRFc-I

Italian with English and Italian captions on screen phrase by phrase:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fu-Op7MlDc

"You can sing anything, even nonsense, in Italian and it sounds beautiful."

NESSUN DORMA

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx80nX5W4OI

Italian with Italian and English on screen captions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCEQ2r38Bec

VESTI LA GIUBBA

English and Italian in "More"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0PMq4XGtZ4

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDzVTqY0Rs

HABANERA

French with English subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y1dj7bvjE

French with English and French subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06aSlYP6rg

OUR FATHER

Latin with English and Latin subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhZBj1Runp8

HAIL MARY

Latin with English and Latin subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5f9OjZXpW0

SALVE REGINA

Latin singing with English subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhoF4UCSGHo

IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

Well, at least everyone else seems to thinks so, except for Catholics when they are at Mass.

Something remarkable is how Latin chant sung by monks and nuns is actually a topping charts in the secular music world. Even nonbelievers sense a peace and sacredness in our traditional music. News stories about these bestselling Benedictines of Mary nuns are surely among the best depictions of Catholicism in the mainstream media today. Even when I have no idea what they are singing, but it is hauntingly beautiful and lifts my soul with a sense of the sacred and heavenly. It’s not the same when it is in English. Just listen! < a href=“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGLB0wOdJyk”> Benedictines of Mary in the News < a href=“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po5LZpGSN-k”> CBS Sunday Morning “Heavenly Songs From Classical Music’s Unlikely Rock Stars” Quire Matthew’s Passion

"The Church has produced some of the most beautiful music in the world, not the least of which are Mass settings. I grew up singing these Masses in Latin (yes, post Vatican II.) We sang them at Church. We sang them in public school. We sang them at the University of Akron. I sang them with a choir at an Episcopal church for their services. About the only place they are controversial is at a Catholic Mass. Oh, the irony." (Fr. John Valencheck on his blog)