Comments for Lingua Franca at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 19 out of 19 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Fri, 24 May 2013 13:25:58 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1696 The church is undergoing incredibile damage because theology especially does not have a common language. An English priest was defending his thesis written in say Italian. But the board was comprised of a german and indian priest. It was determined that they all new French so they conducted the defense in French. Persummably, many of the quotes were from latin theologians, and the greek Fathers. I can imagine that many theological errors could have been made without any one noticing. - Fr. Orlowski Thu, 07 May 2009 18:51:58 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1578 At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transcended the lack of a lingua franca among believers. And Jesus conducted his ministry in the vernacular (ie, Aramaic). So while Latin has a central place in the church's history and liturgy, let's not put God in a Latin box. As for me, I am a card-carrying, Novus Ordo, vernacular worshipping, orthodox Catholic who prefers the priest to face the community. Has anyone seen my guitar and tambourine? - Catholic Joe Six Pack Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:14:44 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1565 I think you underrate Esperanto's potential. It's also unfortunate that only a few people know that Esperanto has become a living language. During a short period of 121 years Esperanto is now in the top 100 languages, out of 6,800 worldwide, according to the CIA World factbook. It is the 17th most used language in Wikipedia, and in use by Skype, Firefox and Facebook. - Brian Barker Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:26:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1564 Is it solemnity or relationship with God and the people of God that is important? I love some of the Latin hymns and liturgical rites but I also love being able to fully participate in the celebration of Mass. Maybe sign language is the answer to universality. - Eileen Kovatch Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:25:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1561 Dr. McInerny is absolutely right Reverence is gone, along with the Latin---and silence.It's impossible to talk to God when others are loitering in the aisles between Masses and engaging in noisy conversations with friends and neighbors. Then there are those who haul in a bottle of water to quench their thirsts during Mass. That never happened before Vatican II. - Bill Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:04:32 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1559 For Lacy and Mark--the Missal always had the English translation by the Latin in the old rite, so if you could read, you knew what you were saying or what was being said when the Latin was recited. I am what is gently known as an "inactive" Catholic. I hope that access to a Latin Mass might be the path of my return to "active" status. - Pam Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:03:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1560 Esperanto is much easier than other languages, even English, and can facilitate communication between people of different languages. However, few Esperantists think it will tear down all barriers, let alone usher in world peace. Communication is a necessary first step, but much more is required. Even so, about 2,000,000 mostly down-to-earth people use Esperanto today. Curious? Check out http://www.esperanto.net/info/index_en.html for info, or http://en.lernu.net to learn it for free, - Michjo Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:12:15 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1558 I love the latin Mass and enjoy hearing about retaining latin usuage. I am out of work and looking for a way to make a difference in the world. I have a Master's degree from Ave Maria University in Theology. Do you know of any theology or faith related work I could do? I appreciate your assistance. God love you as Archbishop Sheen used to say. - Kathy Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:35:58 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1552 Growing up protestant i met boat loads of Catholics who knew some latin but no Scripture. Not one single time was"why do you do that/what does this mean?" answered.Even their parents had no "real" answers. This is not to trash beautiful Latin or the Baltimore Cat. But when hearts are on fire w/love for Him, longing increases in the soul for more of Him. The Truths in Vat2 need to be implemented & this wound in His Body healed. Better Faith Formation leads to deeper worship for all. - debby Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:59:05 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1557 As Father Walter Ong argued years ago, even during the adolescence of the Church, you had to STUDY Latin to have it. That is, you went to books, or a teacher. By and large, one did not learn Latin by hearing it exchanged by parents or pals.Thus the Latin of the Church never approached -- could not approach -- the richness of vernacular languages. It was indeed a common system of communication, more subtle than Morse Code, but far short of the nuances of your own vernacular. - upstate Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:20:27 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1556 ...cont....I agree thought that we need to a return of respect during the mass, and certainly we need more Catholics and especially priests with knowledge of the language of the Church - Lacey Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:42:38 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1555 I agree with Mark as another 20-something Catholic. I would love to have access to a Latin mass at my parish. However without education in Latin, all it will be is foreign words...which is an artificial way to increase reverence. Sure I and others like myself in the U.S. and other developed countries could easily educate ourselves or take classes in Latin, but as I have said on here before, what about our brothers and sisters who hardly have access to education at all let along Latin? - Lacey Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:39:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1554 Esperanto is alive and well, and being used for all kinds of people for all sorts of purposes. I have used it on my travels in a dozen countries. Take a look at www.esperanto.net - Bill Chapman Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:21:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1551 I believe Waugh wrote a short story in which a time traveller goes far into the future and is completely disoriented, until he stumbles into a hut and hears--the Latin mass. Does anyone remember the name of it? - Roger Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:44:45 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1550 As a language nerd, I enjoy when we sing the Agnus Dei. However, if I did not already know what it means in English, so much would be lost on me. Having a sense of reverence doesn't go very far when you have no idea what's actually being said. You get caught up in a vague sense of importance rather than being able to dive into the meaning of the liturgy. As a 20-something Catholic, I say "pump the brakes" before you throw my generation into a world we've never known and therefore do not miss. - Mark Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:32:27 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1549 Latin was never the lingua franca for the entire Roman Empire. Koine Greek was the common language in all of the Eastern provinces. Only the Roman military and administration were in Latin (although even the latter was sometimes in Greek in the East). Of course Latin was dominant in Italy, Gaul, Ilyria, Spain, Africa and Britain (even if it left no mark there). Latin has become the Church's lingua franca because it later was the common language of Catholics and it should remain so today. - Lepanto Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:31:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1548 The use of Latin alone does not an authentic Latin Mass make. The old saying about lipstick on a pig applies here. Stop fooling yourselves and return to the pre-1962 form. - James the Least Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:28:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1547 It must have been sad for a previous generation used to the Tridentine Mass to suddenly see theiir altars turned around, altar rails removed,no more Latin and then to be entertained by songs like "We Gather Together" and "Lord When You Come to the Seashore."  Did you have to study the classics to know what "Hoc est enim corpus meum" meant?  Yes. The solemnity is gone. Benedict XVI is well aware of this. The sacrifice of the mass is now just a eucharistic gathering.  Something went wrong.  What? - William Dennis Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:28:13 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/lingua-franca.html#comment-1546 A beautiful column, Dr. McInerny, and it couldn't come at a more opportune time for me, as I find myself delving ever more deeply into both the Novus Ordo and Extraordinary Forms of the Latin Mass, something I never grew up with as a post-conciliar Catholic baby. Moreover, rediscovering the Latin hymns used both in the Mass as part of chant, as well as those used in devotions like Benediction has brought me great joy and a sense of the universality of our Catholic faith and Holy Mother Church! - Kevin in Texas Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:14:28 +0100