I recently completed a historical article documenting a monthly Novus Ordo Mass celebrated largely in Latin at St. Mary's Parish in Akron, Ohio, from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Drawing on personal recollections, parish booklets, photographs, and choir memories, the article explores how Latin, sacred music, and congregational participation remained a living part of parish life for more than three decades.
Thanks Don! I frequently attended a Latin NO mass in the late 80s and early 90s. The choir sang the ordinary to many various settings (some from the great masters). The proper was full Gregorian. The Liturgy of the word was entirely in English, but chanted. The Responsorial was neo-Gregorian (Marier?). Sometimes at the Offertory and the Communion, the choir would sing a motet, and sometimes these were ***in English!*** The Eucharistic Prayer was mostly III, but always the Roman Canon for any occasion with proper inserts (Christmas, Epiphany, etc.). And, there was always a congregational hymn in English at the end of the mass. The priest and sanctuary party stayed in place, and processed out during the organ postlude (or in silence in Advent and Lent). This was a time of unfortunate turmoil in my life, so I found this mass a great anchor!
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