1. Since the beginning of western Christianity, Latin has become a sacred language, associated with the single exalted purpose of worshiping God. The use of Latin in this way should not surprise us, because sacred language is common to all the major world religions, for example, classical Arabic in Islam, Sanskrit in Hinduism and Hebrew in Judaism.
2. Latin is a stable language that has not nor will change over time. It’s deeper meaning conveys stability, historical connection and the non-alterable truths of our faith.
3. Latin helps us overcome limitations of time and place. It helps us to participate in the universal reality of the Catholic Church, linking us to the generations who have worshiped before us in the same way.
4. The use of Latin in all countries and across the centuries is a powerful symbol of the Church’s unity.
Orátio pro Missa Latíne Celebránda
O mundi Regnátor, qui te omni lingua hóminum angelorúmque laudári voluísti; tríbue, quǽsumus, ut étiam in diébus nostris, sacrifícium dilécti Fílii tui immaculátum assídue lingua Romána in oratóriis gentis nostrae omniúmque permúltis tibi offerátur a pópulo ad te toto corde convérso: per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
Prayer for the Celebration of the Mass in Latin
O Sovereign of the world, who have willed that you be praised in every language of men and of angels; grant, we beseech you, that now too, in our days, the unblemished sacrifice of your beloved Son, may be incessantly offered to you in the Roman language, in many churches of our land and of every land, by a people turned to you with all their heart, through Christ our Lord. Amen.