Latin Mass

Changes in the Liturgy

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) brought many changes to the Catholic
liturgy, summed up by the motto: “fully conscious, and active participation in
liturgical celebrations” of all the faithful (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14).

For example: after the Council the Lectionary was expanded, the Prayer of the
Faithful was added and the use of vernacular languages was permitted. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Council never did away with the use of ancient
languages (Latin, Hebrew & Greek), Gregorian chant, or the priest facing the altar,
nor did it restrict the singing of the prayers of the Mass. All these elements, rooted in the tradition of the Church, are nevertheless hard to find today.

Re-learning Tradition

Lately, many (mostly young) people have been expressing a desire for those
traditional elements in the liturgy, stating that it helps them to pray the Mass. At
Saint Mark we have decided to make room for that devotion. This fall, we will
schedule four dedicated masses where we will try to relearn these elements. We will investigate if this approach serves our people, in order to possibly add this Missa Cantata to our Mass schedule permanently.

Is this the TLM?

No, this is not the so-called “Traditional Latin Mass,” as it was celebrated throughout the world until 1968. That form of the mass (called the Extraordinary Form) is currently restricted in its use by the Vatican. Instead, in these four liturgies, we celebrate the “Novus Ordo Mass,” according to the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal from 2011, the same form of all our other masses, but retaining the original Latin language, chanting, and some of the postures that the Second Vatican Council preserved.