Expert: J.M.J. West - 4/24/2008

Question
Dear Mr. West:
Thanks a lot for your answers.
I had read some place that Latin was replaced by English as a language of service.  Would you please make me understnd what the phrase "language of service" means?  Does it mean
only the Mass?  My understaning of the "languge of service" was that it is the languge in which preachings are done in the church.  
Thank again for your help.

Answer
To the best of my understanding, the homilies were always in the vernacular, and the readings were often too.  Just the different parts of the liturgy (i.e. the 'language of the service", like the words of consecration) were in Latin.  I'm open to correction on that part, but I'm pretty sure that's right.  

So the Preaching was done in the language of the people.  The formulas were done in a controlled language to ensure no improper theology slipped in in those places.

Does that help?

Pax Christi,

-J.M.J. West