Holy Rosary Parish is fortunate to celebrate Mass according to both the 1962 and the 2002 editions of the Roman Missal. The 1962 edition is also known as the “Tridentine Mass” or “Traditional Latin Mass.” The 2002 edition is known as the “Novus Ordo Missæ” (“New Order of Mass”) or in our country as simply "the English Mass" (even though it can be said in many different languages), and is the form of Mass typically celebrated in most Roman Catholic parishes today. The Tridentine Mass, which was promulgated in 1570 by Pope St. Pius V after the Council of Trent (“Tridentine” means “pertaining to Trent”), underwent a number of minor revisions through the years. As celebrated today, the Tridentine Mass follows the edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope St. John XXIII in 1962. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), a much more thorough revision of the Roman Missal was completed in 1970. This revision implemented many changes in the way Mass was celebrated.
While many Catholics embraced these changes enthusiastically, not all did, and those who were uncomfortable at the new rite of Mass longed for what they saw as the beauty, reverence, formality and profound expressions of holy truths of the old. Out of pastoral concern for the faithful who preferred the older form of the liturgy, Pope St. John Paul II gave permission in 1984 — and widened this permission in 1988 — for it to be celebrated in those dioceses whose bishop permitted it.
The Most Rev. Edward O'Meara, archbishop of Indianapolis, was among the bishops in 1988 who graciously gave permission for the 1962 Latin Mass to be celebrated in their diocese. At first, the Mass was said every other month and then monthly by retired diocesan priests or visiting priests at St. John the Evangelist Church downtown and, later, at St. Patrick Church in Fountain Square.
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., established the Tridentine Mass Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 1997, and a priest from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (F.S.S.P.) was invited to minister daily to the faithful desiring to worship and receive the Sacraments according to the 1962 Latin liturgy at St. Patrick Church. About a year later, the Mass was moved to nearby Holy Rosary Parish and the “Latin Mass community” was integrated into the entire parish community. Today, active priests from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis are responsible for saying both the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo (English Mass). More than 300 people attend the Traditional Latin High Mass every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Low Masses are offered on some weekdays, with occasional High (or Sung) Masses offered on holy days of obligation and other popular feast days throughout the year.
When the apostles first carried Christ’s Good News to the world, they traveled throughout the Roman Empire, which governed most of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and in western Europe. Since the Romans spoke Latin, this language was one used by many people at that time, much as today many people in the world know English because it is economically and socially advantageous to do so. As the Roman Empire disintegrated in the 4th and 5th centuries, the emerging Church, led by the Bishop of Rome, stepped in to provide a stabilizing cultural force, and through the centuries has retained the use of Latin in official communications as a means to unity.
The Latin language is the national property of no one people, yet, through learning, can be common to all. This feature makes it especially appropriate for a universal Church. The use of Latin by the Church started as a happenstance of history and geography, but has enabled the Church to maintain unity amidst the disciples she has made of all nations.
Over twenty approved rites of Catholic liturgy are in use worldwide. Many of these have never used Latin but have always been in the native language of the local people. The retention of Latin for the liturgy was a particular feature of west European liturgical development, and extended likewise to areas of the world evangelized by west European missionaries.
Most of the faithful who attend the Latin Mass do not know Latin. So why do some still prefer the Latin Mass? They choose the Latin Mass not because of an attachment to the language, but because they believe it enhances their spiritual lives:
They find the Latin Mass beautiful. The magnificence and solemnity of the Latin Mass are the Church’s way of giving back to God grateful worship for all that He has given us. Those devoted to it believe beautiful liturgy reverently offered illuminates the mystery of God’s very Presence among us. The rich sensory experience of a Traditional Latin Mass reminds them that the Mass is a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy we will celebrate in the New Jerusalem at the end of time.
They are uplifted by a quiet reverence that is displayed before, during and after Mass. They pray quietly before Mass begins (or remain quiet so as not to disturb others at prayer), and offer prayers of thanksgiving once Mass is over. They find the dignity and formality of the Latin Mass conducive to an encounter with the Divine.
They appreciate that Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is central in the sanctuary. They show Him reverence in traditional ways of posture and quiet demeanor.
The Gregorian Chant sung in the Latin Mass enriches them. The Church has used this manner of singing her public prayers for many centuries. They find chant to be “poetry which sings on earth the mysteries of heaven and prepares us for the canticles of eternity.”
You can feel confused at a Latin Mass if you do not know what to expect and why some things are done as they are. Here are some guidelines to help you better appreciate this treasure of your Catholic heritage.
Holy Rosary offers Latin instruction to teens and adults. However, due to the cumulative nature of language acquisition, it has a progression and is not a class anyone can jump into at any time. A new course opens up about every three years. The course is not open to join at this time, but please email the instructor, Rebecca Reneau for more information and to place your name on an interest list to be contacted when the next course is open for enrollment.