Latin Mass comes to the south end of the diocese of Palm Beach, FL
LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR
Posted: 08.19.09
LANTANA | If you attend the early afternoon Sunday Mass at Holy Spirit Parish here next month, you’ll notice a difference in the language in which the priest celebrates the liturgy.
“We will have our first Latin Mass the first Sunday in September,” said Father Kevin Nelson, pastor.
The parish’s first Tridentine Mass is planned for 2 p.m. Sept. 6, and Father Nelson will be main celebrant. Whether the parish continues to have Mass in Latin every Sunday will depend on response and attendance, he said.
Often attended by those Catholics who have a great love for the “old Mass,” the Tridentine Mass was the only Mass used in Catholic parishes from the Council of Trent in the 16th century to 1963. Reforms to the Mass came after the Second Vatican Council was held 1962-1965. They brought a newer rite celebrated in the local language, with the priest facing the congregation. The old, Tridentine rite differs also in ceremony and certain liturgical practices from the current, ordinary form of the Mass.
The resurgence of the Tridentine celebration accelerated when Pope Benedict XVI authorized a broader return of the “extraordinary form of the Roman rite.”
In the Diocese of Palm Beach, there is one scheduled Latin Mass in the north end of the diocese: St. Martin de Porres in Jensen Beach features the Mass 12:30 p.m. Sundays.
“The Mass is rich in the traditions of the Church. It is so beautiful,” said Father Marco De Leon, St. Martin de Porres parochial vicar.
Holy Spirit Parish is at 1000 W. Lantana Road, Lantana. For information, call 561-585-5970.