Still relevant: Joan LaGuardia (News-Press [FL]) reports on continuing use of Latin:
Latin — a so-called "dead" language — is having a lively resurrection in Southwest Florida.
Ave Maria University, northeast of Naples, and St. Martha Parish in Sarasota regularly celebrate the Roman Catholic worship service, Mass, in Latin.
Ave Maria, a Catholic university, requires the study of Latin in its core curriculum.St. Leo Parish in Bonita Springs has a Latin choir.
"What happens during the Mass is so beautiful, the Latin words truly reflect the beauty and the majesty," said Mary Jo Klein after a Latin Mass in the Stella Maris chapel of Ave Maria on Sunday.She and her husband, Darryl Klein, home-school their five children in Latin. One son sings in the St. Leo Latin choir.
The Kleins said the ancient language inspires a deeper richness, beauty and spirit in their worship.
Interest in classical languages is not limited to the prayerful. Movies such as "The Passion of the Christ," "Gladiator" and "Troy" encourage general interest.Many cardinals who begin selecting a new pope today are not fluent in Latin.
I love this:
St. Martha and Ave Maria use the same rite of the Mass that is routinely used in most Catholic churches. They substitute Latin for English, Spanish, Creole and other languages spoken here.
And, in conclusion, I have to note someone from my homeland:
Many Catholics, such as Franciscan Sister Marie-Josee, will choose the Latin option when available.
"The Latin gives a certain reverence and majesty that give depth to the Mass," said the nun from Alberta, Canada, who will graduate in May from Ave Maria.
The Latin Mass at Ave Maria University is the Latin Novus Ordo.
The Latin Mass at St. Martha's in Sarasota is the Traditional (pre-Vatican II or Tridentine rite)- also calledd the Traditional Latin Mass.
Posted by: Treacy Gibbens | April 06, 2007 at 06:35 AM