AMEN: EXCELLENT EXTRAORDINARY LATIN MASS FOR ALL SOUL'S DAY

Some people believe that languages like Latin, Olde English and ancient Greek are dead. If that were really true, attorneys, archaeologists, medical people, writers, universities and seminarians of many religions would be out of business. Ancient Hebrew is still used to this day as young people make their bar and bas mitzvahs.

There is something about these so-called dead languages that inspire respect and solemnity. THAT was proven yesterday at  The St. Hugo Stone Chapel, in Bloomfield Hills, hosted by the Oakland County Latin Mass Association, a magnum on its own and tirelessly created by a few individuals for the benefit of many. Excellent work. The place was packed with folks seeking this extraordinary devotion.

This Latin Mass form was used for 1,500 centuries until Vatican 2 when everything changed in the early 1960s, and also, sadly, when many stopped attending and contributing to the coffers.  Pope Benedict realized that people want the Extraordinary form of the mass and gave us his blessing of approval.  Each of the congregants received a Latin-English Booklet Missal to follow along.

The High Mass yesterday was solemn and respectful, which one could hear in the congregation as there was minimal fidgeting and talking, except for the occasional cry of an infant. Some women wore the traditional mantillas, men wore suits. Almost all were respectfully dressed.

Two priests and a deacon officiated at the Sacrifice, a pre-Vatican 2 mass complete with the appropriate lit candles, vestments, altar boys, music, altar, language and there was even a casket to symbolize the departed.

Perhaps I go to these masses for all the wrong reasons, the tradition of the mass itself along with the music, incense, taking communion while kneeling at the altar, and again, the extreme solemnity that automatically commands deep respect. One could not avoid feeling the deep presence of the Divine within the soul. I loved every minute of it as I felt the balm wax over my being bringing calmness and an incredible level of sublime peace.  Yes, that lightness of being, to steal a phrase.

The youthful men behind us, probably teenagers but maybe not as everyone looks so young to me, totally knew their Latin and what it meant as it was obvious by their responses. So did many in the congregation. A lot of young people were present.

I learned that the number of Traditional Latin Masses in America has steadily increases to over 400+ in over 120 U.S. Dioceses according to May 2011 stats.  Even the Pope tweets daily in Latin and has thousands of followers. Guess the age of the tweeters!

Of course, the musical undertaking was beautiful. Mr. Sarweh's concert direction was awe inspiring as he took on this gigantic work created by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was so young when he wrote this masterpiece, which shows his deep respect for the Catholic church. The singers were excellent. Mr. Sarweh did an outstanding job. Kudos.

I left feeling at peace and cleansed. In fact, this Latin Mass gives me even more respect for the "regular" Catholic mass celebrated by my parish priest and the Jesuits when I attend their masses.  Many, many thanks to the Oakland County Latin Mass Association for their tireless efforts to bring this experience to fruition.

Just to wrap up, Latin was the common denominator then and it still holds the Catholic Church together. For this I say, Amen - an ancient Hebrew word adopted by the Catholic Church as the concluding prayer. Hmm.