Mass in Latin at St. Mary's

On Monday December 7^th, Fr. Gary Gurtler, S.J. offered a Latin Mass in the Ordinary Form in St. Mary’s chapel, in anticipation of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Servers Philip Micele, Mike Williams, and Nate Sanders assisted at the altar while Jon Tveit, Dan Burns, and Austin Travis provided Gregorian chant with approximately 30 students in attendance.

To most, the Mass was slightly different than what is customarily seen, yet still had much about it which was recognizable.  Maintaining this familiarity is a type of “bonus” to offering the Mass in the Ordinary Form, while still being able to add more traditional elements such as the Latin language, bells, incense, and Gregorian chant.  While not as elaborate or, as some would argue, sublime as the traditional Mass, it nonetheless seemed to inspire reverence among those in attendance, as the reactions of many were quite favorable.

While some, myself included, would argue in favor of the traditional Mass’s superiority over the new rite, an increase in liturgical reverence is certainly linkable to deeper love for the Catholic faith, regardless of the form of the Mass in which it occurs.  To continue the work of restoration while allowing students to maintain a stronger degree of familiarity with what is going on at the altar is, while not the ideal place to stop, certainly a step in the right direction, and one of many ways in which a more widespread love and devotion for Christ in the Eucharist may be intensified and restored at Boston College.