Benedict XVI and Latin in the liturgy

Those who regularly follow the Holy Father's programme are convinced that both John Paul II and his successor, Benedict XVI, will be remembered for their constant spiritual determination and paternal example to lead priests and laity to pray and work hard towards restoring respect for the Eucharist and rediscovering the numinous mystery of the Sacrament of the Altar.

It is appropriate to take note in one of his reflections during the Angelus, at Castel Gandolfo, in September 2005, Pope Benedict said: "It was our beloved John Paul II who desired this special year dedicated to the Mystery of the Eucharist in order to reawaken in the Christian people faith, wonder and love for this great Sacrament, which constitutes the true treasure of the Church. How deep was the devotion with which he celebrated Holy Mass, the centre of every one of his days! And how much time he used to spend in silent, adoring prayer before the Tabernacle!"

Pope Benedict went on: "From the very beginning of my service which the Lord asked of me, I therefore joyfully reaffirm the centrality of the Sacrament of the Real Presence of Christ in the Church's life and in every Christian's life".

The Pope very frequently called the attention of all the faithful to reflect on the theme of the Bishops' Synod 2006, "The Eucharist, source and summit of the life and mission of the Church". Throughout this Synod, the bishops emphasised that in the Church today we need to recapture devotion to the real and abiding presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

No wonder these very days Pope Benedict, after examining thoroughly the final document of the Synodal Bishops, has strongly recommended the use of the liturgy, more use of Gregorian chant, and explaining clearly that there's no place in liturgy for profane music and of musical instruments that are not suitable for sacred use, in the dignity of the temple and the edification of the faithful.

Priests and laity have to keep in mind what Pope John Paul II has written in his Apostolic Letter Spiritus et Sponsa (The Spirit and the Bride) on the 40th anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II: "Liturgy in the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed and the fount from which all the power flows".

Pope Benedict has repeatedly reminded the faithful that "spirituality seems to have been put aside by a broadly secularised society; but it is certain that despite secularisation, a renewed need for it is remerging in different ways in our day".

As so many seem to be under the impression that Vatican II has not encouraged the use of Latin in the liturgy, it is most appropriate to quote what the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says on the use of Latin: "Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, may frequently be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This extension will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter" by ecclesiastical authorities in the dioceses.

No doubt our two new bishops will keep in regular contact with the parish priests, and their collaborators, on the directives received from the Congregation of the Holy See, approved by Pope Benedict, who not only has the liturgy at heart, but is also a specialist in liturgy.