latin prayers

[foxsta]

quick question...how many say and/or know their prayers ie those of the rosary in latin? just interested in how many have been to taught/stuck with the old ways pre vatican 2

 

[GraceInHim]

I am... in Italian.. learned growing up.. reverted recently and still mostly remember the Italian prayers and say them in Italian..

 

[stray bullet]

quick question...how many say and/or know their prayers ie those of the rosary in latin? just interested in how many have been to taught/stuck with the old ways pre vatican 2

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Some of them. I go to a Traditional Latin Mass and pick up Latin here and there.

I don't see a particular reason for reciting prayers in Latin until I master the language.
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[foxsta]

i knew someone would say that and i was tempted to add to my post that "i know it doesnt matter what language" etc...i know its about meaning it. i was just interested in who was fluent and actually knew the language and used it. soz for the retaliation

 

[GraceInHim]

If anyone comes from other Countries (as I did) when we go to church here in the USA (New England) the Mass is spoken in different languages in many different churches.. like a Portuguese funeral was done in their language by the Priest and did not understand.. when I go to St. Francis Church, it is done in Italian.. and like it that way.. but of course do many other prayers and reading in English.

 

[GraceInHim]

Just a note: when I watch the Vatican on EWTN, the Mass, cannot hear the Italian with the interpreter speaking over it.. gets to me..

sorry back to topic

 

[foxsta]

tis cool

 

[wynd]

I taught myself the rosary and most of the Mass in Latin. I don't usually pray that way, but it definitely came in handy when I was in Rome and a lot of the public prayers, such as the Pope's Angelus and some public Masses, were in Latin.

 

[HappyMomof4]

Well I know the beginning of Ave Maria. I pick up a little here and there. I like to know a little especially the things I hear on EWTN often. In nomine Patri et Filie et Spiritus Sancte. (Probably spelled wrong )

 

[foxsta]

it is good to know esp when listening to international things yeah...also interesting to hear how our ancestors worshipped

 

[furkidsmom]

it is good to know esp when listening to international things yeah...also interesting to hear how our ancestors worshipped

Why does that make me feel REALLY OLD?

 

[Globalnomad]

Why does that make me feel REALLY OLD?

Yeah, me too... but then, we ARE old, furkidsmom, deal with it!!! (Naaahhh... )

I learned the Latin prayers in pre-Vat2 times, also did six years of Latin in school, I also speak Italian, so for me it's so easy that my opinion doesn't even count. I often pray in Latin, I enjoy the rhythm and the sound and the feeling of timelessness, but for me it's not much different from praying in English (or in Italian, which I also often do).

The big point, as Katomi wisely put it, is that it's not much good to pray if you have to concentrate on remembering the words and their meanings.

On the other hand, once you've thoroughly memorized the prayers AND the meaning of each word, even if you otherwise don't know Latin, then it will be no different from praying in English. It will take time and lots of repetitions, but if you feel like doing it, it's worth it. (Every bit of knowledge is worth the effort!!! - yes, Mum...) Memorizing the meaning of each word, and its exact form, which changes depending on its function in the sentence - e.g. Pater, Patrem, Patri, Patris - will also teach you a LOT of Latin "through the back door".

 

[SandCrab]

quick question...how many say and/or know their prayers ie those of the rosary in latin? just interested in how many have been to taught/stuck with the old ways pre vatican 2

ME!ME!ME! But for me it is by choice

 

[Pogue]

I don't know any prayers in Latin, but I still think they can be meaningful if you know the translation. That said, they only as meaningful as when you say them in your own language, so it doesn't really matter. I've been to Mass in France and Austria, too, and it didn't seem just like mindless repetition to me. I would like to learn some Latin prayers though, just out of interest

 

[Atomagenesis]

Latin is the official language of the Church, to not know prayers in Latin is sad to me. Praying in Latin can be especially beneficial when you are with someone who doesn't know your own language but you can pray with them in Latin, or even speak to them in Latin.

As regarding the meaningfulness of a prayer when you do not say it in your own language.: I heartily disagree. I think praying with the Church's official language, makes it even more meaningful even if it is not your first language because it is bound in heaven as the church's language.

I go to the Tridentine mass, pray the office in Latin and sometimes the rosary in latin too, and other prayers. I think it's just better, it is more unitive. You have the privelage of knowing what you are praying is very ancient and that many, many saints have prayer the exact same words as you for 2000 years, yes, in Latin. That is why I am not a big fan of vernacular liturgy.

Pray in Latin, it is good!!!

 

[wynd]

Latin is the official language of the Church, to not know prayers in Latin is sad to me.

Especially since the Pope asked us about a year ago to try to learn the "basic" prayers in Latin.

 

[AMDG]

taught/stuck with the old ways pre vatican 2

Oh no! There it is again! That superiority thing and that assuming! Just because Latin is the universal language of the Church (and STILL is) ...

(Oh well, ignore it and just answer the question.) I am from the pre-Vatican II era, but I have NEVER said my Rosary in Latin. I think I know the sign of the cross and the Our Father, but that's it. Learned it from the repetition during all the Masses I've been to over time. (And I dare say that you would have learned as much too--IF you had the opportunity.) And besides the English that I was TAUGHT, I believe I was also taught to say at least the sign of the cross and the Hail Mary in Polish since my Grandmother (God rest her soul) had learned her prayers in Polish and used THAT language not Latin or English :::I guess that puts a crimp in that assumption that pre-Vatican II people ALWAYS said their prayers in a language they couldn't understand:::.)

 

[Atomagenesis]

I don't think anyone ever said people always said their prayers in Latin before Vatican II. I just think more people did then than they do now. A lot more people took Latin seriously and had a love for it than now because it was used it in the liturgy exclusively. Academically it was the thing to do and everyone took it, unlike now, you can barely even find it at "Catholic" schools. The argument is not whether or not they said them in Latin or not, but why it is effacacious to do so, and why it is important that Latin rite Catholics know Latin. Since we are Roman Catholic Latin rite, to not know Latin at least a little is, in my opinion, sad and unfortunate because it is the language of the liturgy, the highet form of prayer in the Catholic Church. It is still the language of the liturgy, and the liturgy is suppose to be said in Latin in the Latin rites, the only reason we have such a great use of vernacular is because people got out of control. If you think Vatican II called for insane use of the vernacular, and the relative destruction of Latin then you are in dreamland.

Pax Christi,

Malcolm

 

[anawim]

quick question...how many say and/or know their prayers ie those of the rosary in latin? just interested in how many have been to taught/stuck with the old ways pre vatican 2

I used to. I don't remember much anymore. In fact the only hymn from Latin that I remember is Adeste Fidelis.

 

[pax]

I'll say I could probably fake my way through it if I'm in a group (I have most of the Pater, the Ave, Gloria Patri, and Salve Regina), but I'm not really fluent. My spanish has come in handy deciphering some of the stuff, but I prefer to pray in English during my own private prayer.