Vocations and the Traditional Latin Liturgy

Ad Deum qui lætificat juventutem meum!

“…Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them…”

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place…”

– Pope Benedict XVI in his Letter accompanying Summorum Pontificum

Say what?

Catholics are a fairly consistent bunch. The way Catholics said Mass for Centuries was almost identical. If you looked at a Missal from 601 AD, you’d see virtually the same central text (the Roman Canon) as in the Missal from 1962. The Missals of 1471 and 1962 are largely identical. So what? So there’s something in there that a lot of folk, over a lot of centuries, thought was worth preserving. We think so too. Like the Pope says: “It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer.” Maybe you agree?


So what has the Traditional Latin Liturgy to offer me?
Truth, Beauty, Goodness. Good start. “The most beautiful thing this side of Heaven,” someone called the Traditional Latin Liturgy. Add authenticity – why don’t we have Baptisms like they had in The Godfather anymore? Throw in some Gregorian Chant – not just music-to-relax-while-you-drive but an integral part of the Traditional Latin Liturgy⁽¹⁾.

That’s the wrapping but what about the substance? Inside you have a tried-and-tested spirituality based upon the centrality of Christ and the personal relationship of each individual with Him. It’s been a winning combination for ages! Maybe it’ll do it for you?


Do people really still do this stuff (outside a film set)?

They do – they do it for real – they do it for life! Since John Paul II appealed for generosity towards the Traditional Latin Liturgy back in 1988, Traditional Seminaries, Monasteries, Convents have been springing up – and filling up with young people – all over the world.

The Fraternity of Saint Peter for Priests opened its second Seminary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Nebraska, USA, in 2000, with 50 Seminarians and reached capacity a few years later.


Get real! We can’t even get Priests for Mass in English!

Get with the programme! Like the Pope said: “…What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” “Dougal, you know you can praise the Lord with Latin too?” (Fr. Ted… sort of) If it works, don’t knock it. Maybe the Traditional Latin Liturgy works for you? Give it a try!


So you’re saying there’s a future in the past?

Not exactly – but even after 1500 years, there’s still plenty of future in the Traditional Latin Liturgy. It’s here to stay and it aims to inspire. It has inspired millions for millennia. Maybe it can inspire you?

¹ - Fr. F.W. Faber, Cong. Orat., collaborator of Ven. John Henry, Cardinal Newman.