byFr.JosephFaaDiBruno,D.D.

,1884

TheChurchisApostolic.SheistheChurchofSt.Peterandoftheotherapostles,andshehas
guardedwithtendernessallthepreciousmemoriestheyhaveleft.
Whentheapostlespartedfromeachotherfortheirmissiontoannouncetoallnationsthegospel
ofsalvation,twolanguageschieflywerespokenandunderstoodbythetwogreatcivilized
divisionsofmankindtheLatinlanguageforthemostpartintheWest,andtheGreekintheEast.
TheypreachedthefaithchieflyinLatinandinGreek;theirteachingsandtheirconstitutionswere
writteninthesetworichlanguages,andtheChurchhaspreservedthesemonumentswitha
religiousveneration.ThisisonereasonwhyherlanguageisforthemostpartLatinintheWest,
andGreekintheEast.Yetthiswhich,infact,isatestimonyinfavorofherantiquity,ismadeby
someathemeofreproachagainsther.
Providencehadalreadydisposedallinadvance.LatinandGreekbecamedeadlanguagesand
henceinvariableandwonderfullyadaptedtoformulate(orexpresswithprecision)thedoctrines
oftheChurchwhichchangesnot,becausesheisdivine.
Aninterestingcalculationmadeonthechangesthathavebeenmadeinthelivinglanguages
showsthathadtheChurchadoptedthevariouslivinglanguages,insteadoftheLatin,shewould
havebeenobligedtomodifytheformula(oressentialwords)usedintheadministrationofthe
SacramentofBaptismagreatmanytimes;otherwisetheseformulaswouldnothaveexpressed
correctlytheideatheyshouldconvey.Bythiswecanjudgeofthemanychangeswhichthe
wordingoftheCreedanddecreesoftheearlycouncilsandthoseofthePopeswouldundergo,
weretheynotrecordedinanunalterable(ordead)language.
Protestantsareperhapsrightinpreferringtheuseofmoderntonguesintheirauthorizedbooksof
religion.Livinglanguages,continuallychanging,aremoresuitedtoconveydoctrineswhichare
subjecttofrequentalteration.ButtheCatholicChurchprefersoldunchangeablelanguages
becausesheisherselfunchangeable.TheChurchusesLatin,notonlybecausesheis
unchangeable,butalsobecausesheisCatholic,oruniversal,andhastoaddressherselftoall
peopleinalltimes.
DuringthefirstfourcenturiesofChristianity,Latinwasthelanguageofthecivilizedworld,and
althoughthenalivinglanguage,ithadthatcharacterofuniversalitywhichtheChurchrequires.
Whenincourseoftimetheworldwasdividedintomanynationalities,theChurchstillpreserved
herbeautifulprimitivelanguage,andthusremainedunchangedinherspeechasinheressence.
ThustheChurchspeaksLatinbecausesheisapostolic,unchanging,andCatholic.St.Paul,itis
true,inhisfirstepistletotheCorinthians(chap.xiv.),directedtheChristianstouseintheir
assembliesalanguageunderstoodbyallthefaithfulpresent;butmanyProtestantsdrawfromthis
anobjectionwhichdoesnotapplytothepresentquestion.
TheApostleconfineshimselftopreaching,exhorting,andinstructingtheassembledfaithful,all

which,hesays,mustbedoneinthevernacularorcommonlanguageofthepeople.Theword
prophecyincludesinstructionsspeakingonthingsdivine.TheCatholicChurchfollowsthis
apostoliccommandtotheletter.Herbishops,priests,missionaries,andcatechistsalwaysemploy
intheirteachingalanguageunderstoodbyall.Theyspeakwhenneededinthemostobscureand
mostbarbarousdialects,inorderthattheWordofGodmayreachtheunderstandingofall.
TheCatholicChurchspeaksnotonlytheparticulardistinctivelanguageofeachlandandtribe
wheninstructingthepeople,buthasalsoaspecialCatholiclanguage,thatherpastorsbelonging
toeverynationmayreadilycommunicatewitheachother,thattheymayministertogetheratthe
altar,andthatherlaity,ofwhatevertongue,maynot,wheninaforeignland,feelstrangeinthe
houseofGod,butbeathomeinanyCatholicplaceofworshipinanypartoftheworld.
InthiswaytheChurchunitesinoneuniversaltonguetoimplorethemercyandsingthepraisesof
God.Thisbeautifulandsublimeharmonyofnationsinonefaith,withonevoice,intheonefold
oftheoneShepherd,isworthyoftheChurchofChristandoftheunitywhichishergrand
characteristic.
TheMassisasacrificeoffereddirectlytoGod,anditisnotnecessaryforthepeopletofollowin
Latinthewordsofthepriest.WhentheCatholicprieststandsatthealtar,thoughtheremaybe
personspresentfromeveryclime,assoonashepronouncesaloudanypartoftheservice,all
understand,andtakeanintelligentpartinhisministration,afactwhichremindsoneofthe
preachingoftheapostlesontheDayofPentecost,whenallfromeverynationheardSt.Peter,
eachinhisowntongue.(Actsii.6.)
TheChurchspeaksLatin,therefore,notonlybecausesheisapostolic,unchangeable,and
Catholic,butalsobecausesheisone.
Changeoflanguageintheliturgywouldseemtobreakthelinkwiththepast,andraisesome
suspicionofinnovationinwhatisexpressedintheliturgy;whilethehavingretainedthesame
ancientlanguageindicatesthattheChurchwhichcontinuestouseitistheverysameasofold,
andthatshehasnotchangedinanyessentialmatter,havingbeensocarefulasnottochange
evenherlanguage,which,comparedwithdoctrine,isofmuchlessimportance.
ItisfairlypresumedthattheChurchwhichpossessesthelanguageofantiquityhasantiquityon
herside;that,beingtheinheritorofthelanguage,sheisalsotheinheritoroftheancientfaith.The
factofherstillusingtheLatinlanguagemakesusfeelthemoresurethattheCatholicChurchis
theone,old,unchangeableChurchofGod.

byFr.NikolausGihr,1902

1.AlltherequisitesforthecelebrationoftheEucharisticSacrificehavebeenselectedwith
especialcare,andnothinghasbeenadoptedbutwhathasbeenfoundbestsuiteduntothisend.
ThisappliesalsotothelanguageinwhichtheHolySacrificeiscelebrated;fortheliturgical
languageshouldcorrespondtoitsliturgicalobject.TheMassconsideredinitselfcouldassuredly
becelebratedinanylanguage,butbytheProvidenceofGodtheLatinlanguagehasbecome,and
stillcontinuestobeofalllanguagesthemostwidelydiffusedfordivineworship(1).Thevery
ancientpracticeoftheChurchofcelebratingMassintheWest,notinthelivinglanguageofthe
country,butinadeadlanguage,thatis,inLatin,forthemostpartalanguageunintelligibletothe
people,hassincethetwelfthcenturytothepresentepochbeenfrequentlymadethesubjectof
attack(2).Suchattacksoriginatedprincipallyinanheretical,schismatical,proudlynationalspirit
hostiletotheChurch,orinasuperficialandfalseenlightenment,inashallowandaridrationalism
entirelydestituteoftheperceptionandunderstandingoftheessenceandobjectoftheCatholic
liturgy,especiallyoftheprofoundlymysticalsacrifice.IntheattempttosuppresstheLatin
languageoftheliturgyandtoreplaceitbythevernacular,therewasamoreorlesspremeditated
schemetoundermineCatholicunity,toloosenthebondofunionwithRome,toweakenthe
Catholicspirit,todestroythehumilityandsimplicityoffaith.
Therefore,theApostolicSeeatalltimesmostpersistentlyandinflexiblyresistedsuch
innovations;foritisaninvariableprincipleoftheChurchnevertoaltertheancientliturgical
language,butinviolablytoadheretoit,eventhoughitbenolongerthelivinglanguagespokenor
understoodbythepeople.TheChurchlikewise,whenintroducingtheRomanliturgyamong
newlyconvertednations,hasformanycenturiespermittedtheLatinlanguageonly(3).She
excommunicatesallthosewhopresumetodeclarethevernaculartobethenecessaryorthe
onlypermissiblelanguagefortheliturgy(4);shestigmatizesasimpertinenteffronteryforany
onetocensureorcombattheretentionoftheLatinlanguagefordivineworship(5).Thisis
just;for,asSt.Augustineremarks,"toquestionwhattheunitedChurchpracticesasaruleisthe
mostdaringmadness(6)."Inallsuchgeneraldecreesandusagesappertainingtodivineworship,
theChurchisdirectedandpreservedfrominjuriousblundersbytheHolyGhost(7).
InsteadofcensuringtheChurchonaccountofherpractice,thathasenduredmorethana
thousandyears,ofconductingherliturgicalworshipinadeadlanguage,weshouldrather
acknowledgeandadmirehersupernaturalwisdom;shecountsherexperiencesbycenturies:ours
wecanenumerateonlybydays.
TheChurchismovedbyinterestsmostsacredtomaintainandtointroducewhereversheisspread
intheworldandreceivesnewnationsintoherpale,theLatinasthecommonlanguageofher
liturgy.Thisconductonherpartdoesnotrestonadisciplineofsecrecy.TheChurchdoesnot
wishtoconcealhermysteriesfromthefaithful.Itisratherherveryardentdesirethatherchildren
shouldunderstandallthewealthandbeautyofherdivineworship;hencesheobligesand
admonishesherprieststounfold(8)tothepeoplethemeaningofthecelebrationofthemystical
SacrificebyclearlyanddevoutlyexplainingfromtimetotimetheholySacrificeoftheMasswith
allitsceremoniesandprayersintheschoolroomandinthechurch,inthecatechetical
instructionsandinsermons(9).
AfterthefathersoftheCouncilofTrenthadsubjectedtheobjectionraisedtotheLatintongue
inChurchservicetothoroughexamination,theyunanimouslydeclaredthat,althoughthe
Massembodiedavastamountofreligiousinstruction,theystilldeemeditinexpedientthatthe

HolySacrificeshouldbeeverywhere(passim)celebratedinthevernacular;that,onthe
contrary,everywheretherite(custom)authorizedbytheHolyRomanChurchshouldbe
maintained.ButinorderthatthesheepofChristmaynothungerandthechildrenmaynotaskfor
breadwithouttherebeingsomeonetobreakituntothem,theCouncilcommandspastorsof
souls,thatduringthecelebrationofMasstheyfrequentlyexplainsomepartofwhathasbeenread
intheMass,andthatespeciallyonSundaysandholidaystheygiveinstructionofsomemysteryof
thismostHolySacrifice(10).TheChurchactsthus,becausesheispersuadedthatan
unchangeableanduniversallanguagefordivineworshipprevents,ontheonehand,muchharm
anddanger,and,ontheotherhand,offersnumerousadvantagesforherliturgicalobject,aswell
asforheractivityandefficiencyingeneral.Theseadvantagesaresogreat,thattheprofitthe
peoplemightinacertainrespectandinsomecasesderivefromunderstandingthelanguageused
inthedivineservice,bearsnocomparisonthereunto,andisfarsurpassedthereby;besidessaid
profitmaybesecuredinsomebetterandmoresurewayandthusbeeasilycompensated(11).
2.LatinisthelanguagealmostuniversallyemployedinthedivineserviceallovertheCatholic
world;othercultlanguagesarecomparativelybutlittledisseminated.Onlythemostweighty
reasonswillbegivenherefortheuseoftheLatinlanguageintheliturgyoftheholySacrificeof
theMass.
a)TheLatinlanguageisconsecratedbythemysticinscriptionattachedtotheCross,aswellas
sanctifiedbytheusageofnearlytwothousandyears,andhenceitismostcloselyinterwovenwith
theprimitiveRomanCatholicliturgyoftheholySacrifice.TheinscriptionontheCross:"Jesusof
Nazareth,KingoftheJews,"waswritteninHebrew,GreekandLatin(John19,19,20).These
werethethreeprincipallanguagesofthatepoch,andbydivinedispensationtheywere,sotosay,
destinedandconsecratedontheCrossfortheliturgicaluseoftheChurch.Throughtheinscription
ontheCrosstheyproclaimedtothewholeworldthedignity,powerandgloryoftheRedeemer,
theroyaltyanddominionofgracewhichHeacquiredbyHisbloodydeath;atthealtarthese
languagescontinuetolivethroughoutallages,andservetoannounceandtocelebrateuntilthe
endoftimethedeathofChristforourredemption,wherebythereignofgraceisevermore
widelyextendedandfirmlyestablished,thekingdomofpeaceprogressesevermoretowardsits
happyconsummation.Inthefirstcenturiesthesethreelanguageswereemployedpredominantly,
ifnotexclusively,intheliturgicalservice.
OfthesethreelanguagestheLatinatanearlydategainedtheprecedence;for,beingthelanguage
oftheRomanworld,itbecamethroughouttheWestwiththespreadofChristianityalsothe
languageoftheliturgy.DivineProvidenceselectedRomeasthecentreoftheCatholicChurch;
fromRomethemessengersofthefaithweresentforthinalldirectionstospreadthelightofthe
Gospel.AlongwiththegraceofChristianity,togetherwiththeCatholicfaithanditsdivine
worshipthewesternnationsalsoreceivedLatinastheChurchlanguage;forinthattonguethe
HolyMysterieswerealwayscelebrated,thoughthenationsrecentlyconvertedspokeadifferent
languageanddidnotunderstandLatin.ThusthelanguageoftheMotherRomanChurchbecame
thecommonlanguageofworshipofallherdaughters,theCatholicChristianChurches
establishedfromRomeintheWest.InthebeginningLatinwasunderstoodandspokeninmany
localitiesbythepeople,butitcontinuedtobetheliturgicallanguageevenafterithadbeen
supersededbyothertonguesincivillife,andhadceasedtobethelanguageofthepeopleandof
thecountry.ForcenturiestheLatinlanguagehasceasedtobespokeninthedailylifeand
intercourseoftheworld,butitwillcontinuetoliveimmortalbyecclesiasticalusageandinthe
sanctuaryofdivineworshipuntotheconsummationofages.Themostsacredreminiscences,the

historyandtheactsoftheCatholicChurchareintimatelyconnectedwithit.
FromthebeginningofChristianitythesublimemysteryoftheMasswascelebrated,the
sacramentalmeansofgracewereadministered,Godwasglorified,menweresanctifiedandledto
salvationinthislanguage.Itiswithoutdoubtelevatingandinspiringtooffersacrificeandprayin
theverylanguageandintheverywords,whoseforcibleyetsweettonesonceresoundedinthe
mouthsoftheprimitiveChristiansandourforefathersinthedarkdepthsoftheCatacombs,inthe
goldenareasoftheancientbasilicas,andinthesumptuouscathedralsoftheMiddleAge.Inthe
Latinlanguageofdivineworshipinnumerablesaints,bishopsandpriestsofalltimeshave
offeredsacrifice,prayedandsung;initthemostmagnificentliturgicalformulasare
composedprayersofincomparablebeautyand"marveloushymns,whichechothroughout
thevaultsofCatholicchurches,nowresoundingingreatexaltationorsunginsoftstrainsof
sweetjoy,nowweepinginsorrow,atanothertimelamentinginsympatheticgriefforChrist."
ShouldnotthisancientLatinlanguageofdivineservice,sovenerableandhallowedinits
originanduse,beextremelydearandprecioustous,sothatwewouldnotforanypricegiveit
uporbedeprivedofitatthecelebrationofHolyMass?
(b)TheLatinlanguageisbettersuitedthanthelanguagesofdifferentcountriestothecelebration
ofdivineworship,notonlybecauseitisveryperfect,butfurthermorebecause,asasocalled
deadlanguage,ithastheincomparablemeritofbeingatthesametimeunchangeableand
mysterious.ThegenusoftheLatinlanguagepossessesgreatperfection:itisdistinguishedforits
dignityandgravity,clearnessandprecision,foritsrichnessandeuphony.Itis,therefore,often
difficulttorenderthecompletesense,andstillmoredifficult,andsometimesutterlyimpossible,
tobringoutinatranslationthebeauty,thestrength,thedignity,theunction,thedepthandthe
wealthofthoughtoftheoriginalLatin.Toconvinceone'sselfofthis,oneshouldcompare,for
example,thevarioustranslationsoftheMassprayersandsequenceswiththeLatintext.In
additiontoallthis,LatinisthelanguageUrbisetOrbis(thelanguageoftheworld),theofficial
Churchlanguage,thelanguageofcommunicationbetweenthePopeandtheBishops,the
languageoftheCouncilsandoftheologicalscience.Becauseofsuchadvantagesitiseminently
fittedtobeusedtheworldoverasthelanguageoftheCatholicChurchinthecelebrationofher
divineworship.
Latinsurvivesnolongerintheconverseofthecommonpeople,butinthesanctuaryofthe
Church.Asasocalleddead(12)language,itisunchangeable,whilethelanguagesofthepeople
undergoconstantimprovementandremodeling,andareeverliabletogoonprogressingand
altering.Whatwouldbecomeofliturgicalbooks,if,withtimeandthechangesofthe
vernacular,theyweresubjectedtoperpetualchangeandreconstruction?Bysuchnecessary,
incessantremodelingandalterationoftheliturgicalformulasofprayer,theoriginaltextand
contextwouldlosenotonlymuchoftheirincomparableforceandbeauty,butoften
notwithstandingstrictsurveillanceonthepartoftheChurchwouldbedisfiguredand
spoiledbycircumlocutions,interpolations,omissions,incorrectness,errorsand
misrepresentations.Henceitwouldbeimpossibletopreserveandmaintainuniformityof
divineworshipatdifferenttimesamongevenoneandthesamepeople,muchlessthroughout
theworld.
Alltheseinconveniencesareobviatedbytheuseofanunchangeablelanguagefordivineworship.
IntheunchangeablenessoftheLatinfordivineworshiptheRomanMissalappearsasan

intangibleandinviolablesanctuary,deservingofadmirationandprofoundrespect.Sincethe
Latinlanguagehasbeenwithdrawnfromdailylife,fromtheordinaryintercourseofmankind,
sinceitisnotheardonthestreetorinthemarketplace,itpossessesintheeyesofthefaithfula
holy,venerable,mysticcharacter.Underthisaspectalsoitiseminentlysuitedforthecelebration
oftheHolySacrificeoftheMass,whichinitselfcomprisesmanymysteries.Thecelebrationof
thismysticSacrificefittinglycallsforalanguageelevated,majestic,dignifiedandconsecrated;
religiousstentimentdemandsthis,andtheLatintongueanswersthisrequirement.Justasthe
silentsayingoftheCanon,soalsotheuseofasanctifiedcultlanguage,differentfromthatof
profaneintercourse,pointstotheunfathomableandunspeakabledepthofthemysteryofthealtar,
andprotetsitagainstcontemptanddesecration.Themajestyofthedivineworshipdepends,
indeed,chieflyonthedevout,dignifiedandreverentialdemeanorofthecelebrant;butthe
liturgicallanguagecontributesalsoitssharethereunto,andaforeignlanguageissuitable,ina
measure,toveilthedefectsandrepulsiveroutineofmanyapriest,andtopreventthemfrom
appearingsoglaring.ThustheLatinlanguageelevatedabovethetimeandplaceofeveryday
life,isamysticveilfortheAdorablemysteriesoftheHolySacrifice,whichherebelowwe
acknowledgeonlyintheclearobscurityoffaith,butwhoseclearvisionshallbeourportionin
heavenasarecompenseforourhumblefaith.
TheuseoftheLatinlanguageinnowisepreventsthefaithfulfromparticipatinginthefruitsofthe
Sacrifice,notwithstandingassertionstothecontrary.ThedemandthattheMassshould
everywherebecelebratedinthevernacular,isbasedforthemostpartonignorance,oronan
entiremisconceptionoftherealnatureandobjectoftheEucharisticSacrifice.Theliturgyofthe
HolySacrificecontains"muchthatisinstructive"(magnameruditionemTrident.),but
instructionisbynomeansitsprincipalobject.Thealtarisnotapulpit,theHolyMassisnot
primarilyadoctrinallectureoraninstructiontothepeople.TheSacrificeisessentiallya
liturgicalactionperformedbythepriestforpropitiatingandglorifyingGod,aswellasforthe
salvationofthefaithful.InthissacrificetheChristianpeopleshouldtakealivelypart,fullof
profittothemselves,andtheyshouldinspiritualunionwiththecelebratingpriestplusmedullis
cordisquamlabiisvocismorewiththeheartthanwiththelipsjoininprayerandsacrifice.
Andthisisnotpossibleforthemtodowithoutsomeunderstandingoftheliturgicalcelebration;
for"althoughdevotionconsistsprincipallyinanabundanceofdevoutsentimentsand,
consequently,belongsmoretotheheartthantotheunderstanding,thereis,however,noperfect
devotionwithouttheenlightenmentoftheunderstanding.
Butinordertoacquiretherequisiteknowledgetojoinindevoutunionwiththepriestcelebrating
theMass,variousmeansareatthedisposalofCatholics;thecelebrationoftheChurchservicein
thevernacularisnotatallrequisitetherefore,andwouldoftentimesproveoflittleornoavail.By
meansoforalteaching,withtheaidofbooksofinstructionanddevotion,everyChristianmay
obtainasufficientknowledgeoftheliturgyoftheHolySacrifice,oftheprayerswhichthepriest
recitesatthealtar.Forthispurposethemererecitalofformulasofprayerinthevernacularbythe
celebrantwouldnotsuffice:forinmanycases,forexample,inlargechurches,atHighMass,or
whenseveralpriestscelebrateatthesametime,itwouldbeimpossible,oratleastdisedifying,to
praysoloudatthealtarthatallpresentcoulddistinctlyhearandunderstandthewordsofthe
officiatingpriest.Eveniftheydidunderstandthewordswhichthepriestsingsorrecitesatthe
altar,butlittlewouldbeattainedfortherealunderstandingofthesense;fortheformulasofthe
Mass,takenprincipallyfromHolyScripture,areoftenmysticalanddifficulttocomprehend;the
mererenderingofthemintothevernacularwouldnotalwaysdisclosethehiddenmeaning,and
thetranslationmightoftenbetheoccasionofmisconceptions,ofmisunderstandings,itmight

arousethedesirefordisputationanddangeroushypercriticism.
WhenmansubjectsscienceandanyperfectionwhatevertotallytoGod,hisdevotionisthereby
increased(13);therefore,aclear,profound,comprehensiveknowledgeoftheHolySacrificeand
itsprayersiswithoutdoubtveryusefulandgreatlytoberecommended.Theprayersofthe
Churcharetobepreferredtoallprivateprayers;theyarethesweetestmanna,themostsolid
nourishmentofthesoul.Therefore,itisverydesirablethatthefaithfulshouldassiduouslystrive
toincreasemoreandmoretheirknowledgeoftheprecioustreasureoftheliturgicalprayers,to
theendthattheymayjointheirvoicesinprayerthemoreintimatelyandperfectlywiththevoice
oftheChurchatthealtar.Themereunderstandingoftheprayerswhichthepriestuttersorsings
doesnotassuredlysufficetoenableustoshareabundantlyintheadvantagesandthefruitsofthe
SacrificeoftheMass.Themostperfectdispositionforthisisalivelyfaith,ferventlove,sincere
compunction,profoundreverenceanddevotion,humilityofheart,alongingformercyandhelp.
SuchdevoutsentimentsmayexistindependentlyoftheknowledgeoftheparticularMassprayers,
andareproducedbytheworthy,holyandmysteriousSacrifice,which,havingavaried
symbolicalcharacter,possesses,therefore,apeculiar,significantandeloquentlanguageofits
own.Thislanguagecanbeperfectlyunderstoodonlybyhimwho,bypreviousinstruction,has
learnedthepurposeandmeaningoftheceremoniesoftheChurch.Latinis,therefore,no
hindrancetotheCatholicChristian,preventinghimfromderivingfromthesourceoftheliturgy
oftheHolySacrificelife,lightandwarmth,inordertonourishhispietyanddevotion.Itserves
rathertoawakenaholyaweandreverenceinhisheartinthepresenceoftheobscuremysteriesof
theDivineSacrifice.
(c)Asauniversallanguageofworship,Latinisanadmirablemeansnotonlyofpresenting,
butalsoofpreservingandpromotingtheunityandharmonyoftheChurchindivineworship,
indivinefaith,andinconduct.
(a)Theunityoftheliturgyforalltimeandplacecanbeperfectlymaintainedonlyinasmuchas
itisalwaysandeverywherecelebratedinthesamelanguage.Bytheintroductionofthevarious
nationallanguages,theuniformityandharmonyofCatholicworshipwouldbeimperiledand,
inameasure,renderedimpossible.Howbeautifulandsublimeisthatuniformcelebrationofthe
HolySacrificeintheCatholicChurchfromtherisingtothesettingofthesun!Thuseverypriest
isenabledtocelebrateMass,overthewholeworld,nomatterwhatcountryhevisits.And"how
consolingisitnotforadevoutCatholic,whilstdwellinginaforeignlandinthemidstof
strangers,hearingnosoundsbutthoseofanunknowntongue,tobeableatleastwhenassistingat
thecelebrationofdivineservice,tohearagainthewordsofalanguagewhich,astheaccentsofa
secondmothertonguehehaslistenedtofromchildhoodinhisnativecountry?Hefeelsthenas
thoughhewereinaspiritualhome,inauniversalfatherlandofthefaith,andforthemomenthe
forgetsthatheisdwellinginastrangeplace(14)."Thustravelonouraltarsthesameprayersin
thesamelanguageallaroundtheglobe.Whenthesunrisesandthemorningflushshowsitselfon
themountaintops,weawaken,andthecelebrationofMassbeginswiththesesameprayersand
continuesuntilnoon.Thenothercountrieshavetheirmorning,andtakeupthesameSacrifice
withthesameprayers.Andwhenintheeveningthesunsinksbeneaththehorizon,itrisesin
anotherpartoftheglobe,andthesameSacrificeisthererepeatedwithitsidenticalprayers(15)."
(b)TheunityoftheliturgicallanguageandofthedivineworshipintheChurchis,therefore,a
veryefficientmeansforpreservingtheintegrityoffaith(16).Theliturgyis,indeed,themain
channelbywhichdogmatictraditionistransmitted(17);dogmaistherootofallecclesiastical

life,ofdisciplineandofworship.Worshipisdevelopedoutofthedoctrineoffaith;inthe
liturgicalprayers,intheritesandceremoniesoftheChurchthetruthsofCatholicfaithfindtheir
expression,andcanbeestablishedandprovedtherefrom(18).Butthemorefixed,unchangeable
andinviolabletheliturgicalformulaofprayeris,thebetteritisadaptedtopreserveintactandto
transmitunimpairedtheoriginaldepositoffaith.Therefore,alltheprimitiveliturgiesproclaim
andprovethatourfaithisinperfectharmonywiththatofthefirstagesoftheChurch.
(c)Unityofliturgicallanguageandtheconsequentuniformityofdivineworshipform,finally,a
strongbondforunitingindissolublythechurchesdispersedallovertheworld,amongthemselves
andwiththeircommoncentretheRomanChurch,thechiefandMotherChurchofthemall.
Thebondofauniversallanguageofworship,whichembracestheheadandthemembersofthe
Church,supportsandpromoteseverywheretheunityandthecommonlifeandoperationofthe
Church.Historyconfirmsthis;foritprovesthatadifferenceofliturgies,thatis,theintroduction
ofnationallanguagesintotheliturgy,frequentlygaveorthreatenedtogiverisetoheresyand
schism.Weneedonlyrecalltomindtheeasternnations,which,forthemostpart,havearitualof
theirownandintheliturgymakeuseofalanguagedifferentfromtheLatin.
While,therefore,theuseofthevariousnationallanguagesfordivineserviceispeculiartothe
sectsandtonationalchurches,theuseoftheLatinasthecommonlanguagefordivine
worshipharmonizesperfectlywiththeessence,theobjectandtheworkingsoftheCatholic
Church.InherbosomwebeholdhowtheHolyGhosthas"gatheredallthenationsfromout
ofthebabeloftongues,intotheunityoffaith."Beingformedof"allnationsandtribesand
peoplesandtongues,"sheconstitutesbutonefamilyofGod,onekingdomofChrist,akingdom
notofthisworld,butexaltedaboveeverynationoftheearth.Therefore,itisproperthatthe
Church,whencelebratingdivineworship,whenofferingthedivineSacrifice,shouldmakeuse
notofthelanguageofsomeonesinglecountryornation,butofalanguagethatisuniversal,
consecratedandsanctified.ThusatthealtaritisafigureoftheheavenlyJerusalem,whereallthe
angelsandsaintsinunison(unavoce)singtheir"Holy,holy,holy"andAlleluja.

Footnotes:
(1)WhethertheApostlescelebratedtheHolySacrificeinthelanguageofeachindividualnation
oronlyintheAramean(SyroChaldaic),GreekandLatinlanguagescannotbedeterminedwith
certainty.Inanycase,fromthefirstfourcenturiesnoliturgycanbeshowncomposedinanyother
thanthethreelanguagesoftheinscriptionoftheCross.IntheWest,forexample,inItaly,in
Germany,inSpain,inFrance,inEngland,Latinwasatalltimestheliturgicallanguage.Toward
theendoftheninthcenturyPopeJohnVIII.(872882)permittedtheMoravianSlavs,converted
bySts.CyrilandMethodius,tocelebratetheliturgyintheir(SlavonicorGlagolitic)native
language,andthatprobablyinordertopreventtheirapostasytotheGreekSchism.IntheEast
alsotheChurchlateronpermittedsomeschismaticsandheretics,whohadreturnedtotheunity
oftheChurch(forinstance,theCopts,Armenians,Ethiopians),toretaintheirnativelanguagein
theliturgy.AtpresenttherearetwelvelanguagesusedintheCatholicliturgy;namely,1.Latin,2.
Greek,3.Syriac,4.Chaldaic,5.Arabian,6.Ethiopian,7.Glagolitic,8.Ruthenian,9.Bulgarian,

10.Armenian,11.Coptic,12.Roumanian.WiththeexceptionofRoumanian,alltheselanguages
usedintheliturgyhaveforaconsiderabletimenolongerbeenthelivinglanguagesofthepeople,
butonlydeadlanguages.TheunitedRoumaniansalonemakeuseofthelivingmothertonguein
theliturgy;thisisnotexpresslypermittedbyRome,butismerelytolerated.(Cf.Bartak,Versuch,
dieliturgischeSprachederKirchevomdogmatischen,historischenundpastorellenStandpunkte
zubeleuchten.Koniggratz,1875.).
(2)OpponentsoftheLatinlanguageofworshipwere,asarule,heretics,schismaticsand
rationalisticCatholics;forexample,theAlbigensians,thesocalledReformers,theJansenists,the
Gallicans,theJosephites,thesocalledGermanandtheOldCatholics.
(3)Concludendum,constantemfirmamquedisciplinamesse,neMissaeidiomamutetur,etsi
mutetlinguavernacula:sedeosermoneMissacelebretur,quocelebrataestabinitio,etiamsiea
linguaexoleveritapudvulgus,ejusqueperitiamviridoctidumtaxathabeant.Estautem
ApostolicaeSedisinrecentipopulorumconversioneadfidemprovariiscircumstantiisvel
permitterevernaculaelinguaeusumindivinisofficiiscelebrandis,sedvereaffirmaripotest,S.
Sedempropensiorumesseinillampartem,utexrecensconversisadfidem,habiliorequisint
ingenio,seliganturetlatinispotiusUteriserudiantur,quamutfacultasconcedatur,adhibendiin
Missaecelebrationevulgaremlinguam.(Benedict.XIV.DeMissasacrific,1.2,c.2,n.14.)
(4)Tridentsess.22,can.9.
(5)Bulla"Auctoremfidei"1794.prop.33.66.
(6)QuoduniversafrequentatEcclesia,quinitafaciendumsit,disputare,insolentissimaeinsaniae
est.(S.Aug.Epist.54adJanuar.)
(7)InthingsrelatingtodivineworshipSt.Thomasmakesuseoftheprescriptionandcustomof
theChurchasaconclusiveargument,torefutevariousobjections.Contraest,quodeaquaeper
Ecclesiamstatuuntur,abipsoChristoordinantur.IncontrariumestEcclesiaeconsuetudo,quae
errarenonpotest,utpoteaSpiritusanctoinstructa.(3,q.83,a.3et5.)
(8)QuisquevestrumexpositionemSymbolietOrationisdominicaejuxtaorthodoxorumPatrum
traditionispenessehabeateasqueatqueOrationesMissarumetEpistolas,EvangeliaetCanonem
beneintelligat,exquibuspraedicandopopulumsibicommissumseduloinstruatetmaximenon
benecredentem.(Pontif.Roman.OrdoadSynodum.)
(9)Vehementercupimus,utanimarummoderatorescommissossibigregessaepeacdiligenter
doceantdivinihujussacrificiidignitatemacpraestantiamuberrimosquefructus,quiinpieac
devotesacrisadstantesderiventur.(Coll.Lac.Ill,496.)
(10)Tridentsess.22,cap.8.
(11)Illautilitasetincertaestetmultispericulisexpositaetaliosecuriorietsufficientemodo
suppleripotest.(Suarez,disp.83,sect.I,n.21.)
(12)TheOrientalchurchesalsorejecttheprinciple,thatthevernacularlanguageofacountryor
peopleshouldbeusedinthecelebrationofHolyMass.Thisisprovedbythemostdecisivefacts.

TheunitedandtheschismaticalGreekscelebratetheHolySacrificeintheancientGreek,which
thepeopledonotunderstand.TheAbyssiniansandArmenianscelebrateHolyMassrespectively
intheancientEthiopianandtheancientArmenian,understoodonlybythelearned.Thesame
holdsgoodwithregardtotheSyriansandEgyptians,whocelebrateHolyMassintheancient
Syrian,andalsowithregardtotheMelchitesandGeorgians(Caucasianprovince)whoatHoly
MassmakeuseoftheancientGreek.ThesameisobservedbytheRussians,althoughGreekis
notthelanguageofthepeople,whospeakonlyaSloveniandialect.Herewemayalsorefertothe
practiceoftheChurchintheOldLaw.UptothetimeofChristandtheApostles,theancient
HebrewwasthelanguageofthePatriarchs,thecultlanguage,althoughnolongerunderstoodby
theJewishnation,whoaftertheBabylonianCaptivitymadeuseoftheSyroChaldaicidiom.It
wasthisdivineworshipintheancientHebrewthatourLordandHisdisciplesattended,thus
actuallyapprovingalanguagefordivineworshipthatwasnotthelanguageofthepeople.Neither
theLordnorHisApostlesdesignatedorcensuredthisasanabuse.Theuseofaparticularcult
language,differingfromtheordinarycurrentandspokenlanguage,was,therefore,practicedfora
longtimeintheChurchoftheOldTestament,andwasunequivocallyapprovedofbytheconduct
ofourSaviorandofHisApostles.(Cf.Augsburg.Pastoralblatt,Jahrg.1877,S.166.)
(13)S.Thom.2,2,qu.82,a.3ad.
(14)Martin,DaschristlicheLeben,S.286.
(15)Eberhard,KanzelvortrageI,372.
(16)Cumlegemcredendistatuatlexsupplicandi,proindequelibriliturgicinonminusdoctrinae
fontessintquampietatis,summopereoptandumest,ut,quemadmodumperfideiunitatemmiro
splendorelucetEcclesia,itaperritusetprecumuniformitatemomniumoculiseffulgeat.Ideoque
eamdemacEcclesiaRomana,omniumEcclesiarummagistramaterque,fidemhabentes,eamdem
disciplinameteundemofficiidivinimodumhabeamus.(Concil.prov.Aquens.a.1850,tit.XI,
cap.2.Collect.Lacens.IV,p.1004.)
(17)Cfr.Zaccaria,BibliothecaritualisI,diss.2.Deusulibrorumliturgicoruminrebus
theologicis.Lapini,LaLiturgia,p.2,lezion.1518.
(18)Hencethetheologicalaxiom:Legemcredendilexstatuitsupplicandi,regardingwhichDela
Hogue(Tract.deEccles.c.5,q.1)writes:Meritoquidemurgeturadpermultadogmata
confirmanda.Sicexexorcismissuprabaptizandos,confirmaturpeccatioriginalisdogma;ex
doxologia,quaterminanturomnespsalmi,doctrinamysteriiTrinitatis;exrituexternoadorationis
EucharistiaeexhibitorealisChristipraesentia;exomnibusorationibusnecessitategratiaead
bonumoperandum;exprecibus,quaeabantiquioribussaeculisprodefunctisfunduntur,dogma
purgatorii.Inhisetsimilibuscausis,ubiexmenteEcclesiaeetpublicoomniumfideliumsensu,
tamnotoriaestarctissima,quaeinteruniversalempraximEcclesiaeetdogmareperiturconnexio,
nonminusverequamenergiesdicitur:Lexorandi,lexcredendi.

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