Littleton parish out front with old Latin Mass

On cutting edge, church celebrates old Latin Mass

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 11, 2007 at midnight

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A Littleton parish which has been celebrating a 1,500-year-old form of the Mass suddenly finds itself on the cutting edge of Catholicism.

Last week Pope Benedict XVI gave the go-ahead to go back to a wider use of the so-called Tridentine Mass, or the old Latin Mass. Until 1970 it was the only Mass Catholics had known for more than a millennium.

"This is a legitimate affirmation from Rome about the Latin Mass - that it's not taboo or frowned upon or suspicious," said the Rev. Joseph Hearty, associate pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Latin Mass Community in Littleton.

Latin fell out of wide use when the central worship ritual of the Catholic Church was modernized to follow the dictates of the Second Vatican Council, which sought to make the church more accessible to people in the contemporary world.

But the modern updates - using the local language, simplifying the rituals - frustrated restive conservatives who felt the sacredness had been leached away.

Some Catholics even broke away from Rome. One example is St. Isidore the Farmer parish in Watkins where worshippers built a cathedral-style church and, without permission, celebrate the Latin Mass.

Spokesman Grider Lee said the pope's action was "a great first step" but disagreements with the Vatican remain.

Already, Denver is among some Catholic dioceses which have an OK for a parish devoted to the Tridentine Mass. (The Colorado Springs diocese also has a Tridentine parish. Pueblo does not.)

Littleton's Our Lady of Mount Carmel, founded in 2001, has fielded a steady increase of inquiries in the past year, Hearty said.

He's in an order of priests, the Fraternity of St. Peter, which was founded in 1988 with Rome's permission to celebrate the old Tridentine Mass.

Now the question is whether more parishes - and priests - will want to learn how to celebrate the old Mass.

The pope's directive, which takes effect in September, allows parishioners to ask for the Latin Mass to be implemented.

"They may approach their pastor, who is to support their petition willingly. No permissions are required," according to guidelines set out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In the Denver Archdiocese, a council of priests will discuss how best to offer priests Latin Mass training, said spokeswoman Jeanette DeMelo.

Hearty said more priests are taking classes at a seminary in Nebraska to learn the Latin Mass.

Getting a good grasp of the traditional form takes about six months, Hearty said.

His advice for would-be Latin Mass learners: "Don't give up - and don't bring your guitar."

Mass at a glance

• Tridentine Mass: In 1570, this form of the Mass was declared by Pope Pius V to be the standard throughout the church. His decree followed the Council of Trent (where the word Tridentine comes from). That Mass form had basically been in use from about 500 AD until 1970. Last week, Pope Benedict approved its wider use.

• Novus Ordo Mass: In 1970, this Mass form (literally, "the new order") was authorized by Pope Paul VI. It followed the modernizing influences of the Second Vatican Council. The Novus Ordo Mass could be said in Latin or the local language (for example, English) and simplified the sacred language and rituals. Priests were directed to face the congregation to foster a more approachable message.

Latin Masses in Colorado

The following were authorized by the Catholic Church:

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Latin Mass Community, 5612 Hickory St., Littleton, Tridentine Masses offered Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Immaculate Conception Latin Mass Community, 62 Aspen Drive, Security (Colorado Springs Diocese). Tridentine Mass at 9 a.m. Sundays.

• Holy Ghost Parish, 1900 California St., Denver: 10 a.m. Sundays, offers a Novus Ordo Mass in Latin.

Consecration of the Host

Taken from the St. Andrew Daily Missal, the Latin translated into English:

• Qui pr'die quam paterétur, accépit panem in sanctas, ac venerábiles manus suas: et elevátis oculis in caelum ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipoténtem, tibi grátias agens, bene d'xit, fregit, ded'tque discipulis suis, dicens: Acc'pite, et manducáte ex hoc omnes. Hoc EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM.

• Who the day before he suffered took bread into his holy and venerable hands, and with his eyes lifted up to heaven, unto thee, God, his almighty Father, giving thanks to thee, he blessed, broke and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat ye all of this, FOR THIS IS MY BODY.

torkelsonj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5055

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