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

Question
Dear Mr. West:
Thanks a lot for your answer on English as a language of service.  Is there any difference between a language of service and a language of Mass?  Is there any difference between a language of service and a language of sermon in a church?
Thanks again
Farooq  

Answer
I don't know fully what you mean.  I'll make an educated guess, but let me know if I miss it.

The Mass is unique to Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, as they are the only two with validly ordained priests able to consecrate the bread and wine to make the Eucharist (the literal body and blood of Christ).  Catholics don't have "services" per se, this is generally a more Protestant notion.  Protestants usually meet, sing, pray, listen to a sermon and fellowship, and this they call a "worship service".  For Catholics, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and so we go to Mass at least once a week (though mass is said daily everywhere).

Usually a Protestant service will be entirely in the local language.  So too will a Catholic Mass.  However, when the Mass is said in Latin or Latin parts are used, the Homily is usually in English.

Does that help?

Pax Christi,

-J.M.J. West