Letters

Letters to the Editor

Slower Mass

The perception that EF Masses can seem rushed when said in Latin, (letter MoA Summer) is not comparing like with like.

English and Latin do not share the same rhythms or delivery. Nor do other languages; French, for example, without the strong tonic accents of English sounds – and is – spoken more quickly.

The Missa Dialogata of the early 60s introduced congregational recitation and responses which of necessity slowed down how it was delivered. The problem does not arise with Sung Masses because the Propers, Common, Preface and other sung parts are set to music which dictates its own timing. This, I suggest is much of the problem.

The authentic form of the old rite is in its sung form. Low (said) Mass was introduced originally in monasteries to accommodate monks’ needs, not as the usual form of public worship, which it has become by default in many places.

In the fifty years I have been associated with the arranging of Latin Masses, I have never come across priests offering EF Masses in any manner either rushed or lacking in reverence. I agree in Fr Duddleworth’s day there was the odd ‘express train,’ but the one back-handed advantage of the attempted suppression of the old rite we have fought to restore all these years, has been that only priests who choose to celebrate the old liturgy do so, and with probably much greater devotion and care than before.

Jeremy Boot

(LMS Rep, Notts, Derby)

The fault in our ears…

I do sympathise with complaints that the Traditional Mass can seem very rushed, but the fault lies, I fear, with our ears and understanding rather than with the priestly delivery.

As a young man I can remember gradually getting to grips with French. I was sent to France as a teenager for six months to live with a French family and learn the language – my parents thought this a far better way than trying to learn through the medium of the printed page.

At first, I found that the family with whom I stayed were always speaking at an incredible pace and it was only as I came to be more fluent that I realised they were not speaking quickly at all!

So, all of us who love the Traditional Mass should try one of the excellent courses run by the LMS and learn a little more of the Latin language especially as it is spoken.

Donal Kelly

London

Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Mass of Ages, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH email editor@lms.org.uk Letters may be edited for reasons of space