Five Excuses to Stop Making about the Latin Mass
I have compiled the following list of common excuses I hear about not attending the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). It is meant for those who are feeling overwhelmed or not quite sure they want to drive extra far for Mass every Sunday. It is not an exhaustive list, nor are my rebuttals. I don’t expect it to convince those who have serious qualms about the TLM otherwise, but I do hope it could be a gentle nudge for those who are interested but unsure.
1. “I don’t speak Latin”
This is my father’s favorite excuse. The truth is, you do not need to understand Latin to participate in the TLM. From a practical standpoint, the priest is barely audible most times and you probably would not hear much even if he were speaking in English. You can follow along in a missal, of course, with the English next to the Latin. Even if you understood Latin, the words are not so much for your ears as they are for God’s. As the Council of Trent taught, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for God alone.
Moreover, you are not alone. Hundreds of Saints were illiterate even in their mother tongues and uneducated in Latin. Generations of ordinary lay people, too, have attended the TLM with a knowledge of only basic prayers in Latin. While collecting old pre-1962 hand missals at used bookstores, I noticed that it was not even that common to print all the Propers (eg., the Gospel) in Latin next to the English. Rather, Latin was only included for the common parts of the Mass (eg., the Eucharistic prayers).
Latin is still used for at least three main reasons. First, and most importantly, it establishes “a continuity with a language that Christ himself would have known.”[1] The only three languages used in the TLM are the three that were written on the cross—Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Second, Latin provides universal clarity. When we stick to one language, there is less room for error across eras and cultures. Third, Latin elevates our minds from the everydayness of our vernacular. Just as the art in our churches and the vestments on our priests should be otherworldly, so should our speech.
2. “I don’t know what is going on”
This is closely related to the first excuse. As a mother with young children, I know how impossible it is to follow along in the missal. But, one of the things I love about the TLM is that there are technically no rules about the laity’s postures[2] Rather than rigid and uniform, the TLM is lively and diverse!
The best advice I ever received was to put down that little red booklet (the standard missalette most churches have that explains the order of the mass), and to just enjoy the beauty. You can pray the rosary or talk to God or foster silence in your heart. In time, it all becomes much less overwhelming and the motions of the people become second nature. Your study of the Mass will become more fruitful having experienced it more fully yourself.
3. “I’m afraid of standing out”
If you are as vain as I am, you might be worried about looking foolish. Surely the people in the pews around you are seasoned veterans waiting to spot your one false move.
Take heart in knowing that the TLM is new to most of us. Not so many were lucky to grow up with it. Also, the riches contained therein are inexhaustible, which means we are still learning too! You may be surprised to find out that many of the people have only been attending for a year or less and are eager to learn alongside you. Moreover, traditional priests understand educating the laity about the TLM to be a part of their charism. They do not expect you to know all the things. I know from experience that no question is too trivial!
Just do not make the same mistake I did and sit in the front row. Sit at least halfway back. This takes the burden of having to know when to sit, stand, or kneel off of you. Stand when others stand. Sit when others sit. Kneel when others kneel.
4. “Rad Trads are unwelcoming”
There is a horrible caricature of traditional Catholics as bitter, judgmental, and downright rude. These “Rad Trads” are radical schismatics—they reject the pope, Vatican II, and probably you. Surely they must exist, as I have encountered them on Twitter, but I have yet to meet one in real life.
Rather, I’ve found TLM Catholics are eager to build community. I shook more hands after a couple Sundays at our TLM parish than I had during an entire two years at our last Novus Ordo parish. There is incredible energy that goes along with the discovery of the treasures and traditions of the faith that have been hidden for so long and the excitement to share them with others. If this has not been your experience, consider introducing yourself to a TLM priest and asking him to introduce you to others.
I’ve found joyful people—imperfect and a little weird at times, but joyful. A common trope is that traditional Catholics are angry because they have for so long been put on the defensive. I do not even find this to be true. As I’ve said, a lot of people are new to the TLM. Rather than cranky old snobs retreating from the world, I’ve found young vibrant converts and reverts actively seeking God’s kingdom.
I’ve also found the confession line is always full. If you’re concerned about a judging side glance from a skirt too short, too few children, or an apparent display of ignorance, consider that everyone else is also more concerned with the log in their own eyes to be worried about the speck in yours.
5. “It’s too long”
If you have young children, I sympathize with this. High Mass at our church can be 1.5-2 hours long. But, have you tried low mass? Even on a Sunday, it can be as short as 45 minutes. On a weekday, if you blink, it is over.
That said, we attend High Mass every Sunday. It takes up most of our day, especially with our 45 minute drive and visiting with people after Mass. We don’t have much time for anything else besides dinner. As my husband says, “It keeps Sundays holy.” And so we make a day of it. We pack sandwiches for lunch and read aloud to each other in the car.
It was an adjustment at first, but now we look forward to it as the highpoint of our week. It has become a part of our family culture. My toddler has learned to sing along with the chants, and our home is often filled with outbursts of Asperges Me. I just wouldn’t have it any other way.
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