Why is Latin so Important to the Church?

Sadly, the use of Latin in the Church has been declining and has even been derided by some as unnecessary and hard to understand, which is why the use of the vernacular language in the liturgy was promoted. However, even Vatican II, in the document Sacrosanctum Concilium, while promoting the vernacular for the readings, directives, and some prayers and chants, said that Latin was to be preserved in the Mass and the people were to be taught how to sing or chant together in Latin, particularly the Profession of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer, along with the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. But why is Latin so important to the Church and why should it be preserved?

Latin has been used in the Church for centuries because it was born in the Roman Empire and was kept as a way to unify Catholics even after the empire fell. Since it is not tied to any culture or nation, Catholics from all over can participate in the liturgy when it is in Latin, either entirely or partly. When you put the Mass in the vernacular, there are restrictions placed on those who may be visiting from another country who may not know the language. Hearing Latin over and over allows people to learn the responses and chants and be able to apply it wherever they go. Latin also never changes and so the consistency helps to avoid confusion and ambiguous language.

One of the more important aspects of Latin is that it is considered a very dignified language of high esteem and so it fits the sacredness of the liturgy. It gives a sense of the sublime and makes one feel as though there is indeed something holy and elevated taking place. It is not just an everyday occurrence, as using the vernacular can sometimes make it seem to be. This causes us to raise our minds and hearts to God in an even deeper way and enhances our participation. The use of Latin matches the dignity of the sacrifice of the Mass and pulls us out of our everyday lives and directs our attention toward heaven.

Latin is a beautiful and sophisticated language that enhances our worship and provides the stability that is needed for people of all cultures and languages to understand the liturgy. Instead of being taken out of the Mass, it should be added back in more and more and taught once again to the faithful and in seminaries. Doing so will once again give the liturgy the dignity and reverence that it deserves as the celebration of Our Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross for us.