Everything old is new again. That's particularly true for Roman Catholics who, once again, can attend weekly Mass in its original Latin form.
Last year's decision by Pope Benedict XVI to restore the 16th Century Tridentine Mass has evolved into one of the worship opportunities the Diocese of Gaylord has offered since May 11. A weekly Latin Mass is celebrated at 12:45 p.m. Sundays at Holy Rosary Church in Cedar.
The Latin Mass, which the Catholic Church refers to as the extraordinary form of the Mass, brings back the majesty and familiarity of the more formal worship style that was experienced by those old enough to have attended church prior to 1962. That was the year the Second Vatican Council called for the rites to be revised to meet the circumstances and needs of modern times. While it provides a touchstone to the formal rites older generations of Catholics find comforting, the Latin Mass also offers a new experience for younger Catholics curious to learn more about the roots of the religion.
"The difference in the 'extraordinary' versus 'ordinary' Mass is that 'ordinary' means that it is done in the vernacular. In our case, that is English," said Fr. Duane Wachowiak, director of the secretariat for worship and liturgical formation for the Diocese of Gaylord.
Vatican II called for additional changes to the "ordinary' Mass in addition to the switch in languages.
While Latin still could be the language of the worship as long as the ordinary form of the Mass was followed, changes were made to traditional procedures such as the placement of the altar. One of the significant differences in the ordinary Mass included the requirements that priests face the parishioners. Tridentine priests face the altar that is placed against a back wall rather than in a central location in the sanctuary so Tridentine priests are seen as leading as the congregation who follows along in prayer. Other differences include the role of altar servers and the prayers that are recited. In the extraordinary form, worshippers receive communion while kneeling at an altar.
Wachowiak says that since the Latin Mass was reinstated, priests conducting the Mass must be certified. "The Mass Pope Benedict authorized, done in Latin, is the same Mass that was done in 1962, the last time Latin Masses were said. Back then our priests were versed in Latin, but since the 1960s Latin is no longer required in seminaries. The important thing is that the Mass can not just be recited verbatim, it has to be understood."
Currently Fr. Donald Libby is the only priest in the diocese with those qualifications. "A priest came from Chicago to train Fr. Libby," Wachowiak said.
Fr. Libby said the Masses have been averaging between 150 and 200 weekly worshippers. "We're getting pretty good feedback and attendance has been steadily increasing," he said.
The worship service has been attracting a mix of participants.
"I think it's comforting for some of the older people who remember praying the Mass in Latin and longed for it for quite a while. Part of it (the congregation) is people who are seeing what it's like. The young people are interested in learning a different form of reverence for the Lord and the ceremony of that liturgy," Wachowiak said.
Bill Becker and his wife Mary are members of Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City but have been drawn to the Latin Mass at Holy Rosary, not only for its spiritual beauty, but because of the musical accompaniment. A schola, an all-men's group, have been studying and performing Gregorian chants in Latin for the service. The church's mixed choir sings choral responses in Latin with worshippers.
Becker said the weekly Latin Masses have fortified his faith. He grew up learning the Catholic faith, but not too much, he said.
A trip to the Medjugorje shrine in 1995 turned him back to Catholicism. Returning through Rome he learned more about the church, came back and started learning more. "I got enthused about faith," he said.
By the time the 2000 millennium came around Becker's interest in Latin was growing. Mary already could read the language. "Fr. Libby came and wanted to start a Latin Mass, and it fit in with us," Becker said.
Becker says the average age for those attending the Latin Mass at Holy Rosary is about 35. "A lot are drawn by the meaning of the words," Becker said. Many are carrying missals with Latin on one side and a parallel English translation on the other side of the page. "Some like to listen to the chants. They're something new they haven't heard."
Becker said many women attending the Mass wear hats or lace mantillas, reminiscent of the formality of another era, although Libby said it's not a requirement.
"When I leave, I feel good. It gives me comfort. I can remember certain things that I can recall from years ago," Becker said.
Wachowiak said the main thing to remember is the Latin Mass does not set Roman Catholics apart. "We're all Roman Catholics, all together," Wachowiak said. "We're not dividing into a subset. We're all brothers and sisters in Christ, and we're still one church."
Reach Gretchen Murray at gmurray@record-eagle.com.
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