Why Catholics at Latin Mass Believe Tradition is like Democracy for the Dead
Channel: DICE
Date: 2018-02-05

It was a pleasure to experience the first Catholic Latin Mass that I've ever been to, and discuss why this service is important to the people hosting and attending, like Father Zachary Akers from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

According to Father Paul D. Scalia, son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, community means being person-centered in Christ, in his truth, and his charity.  Father Scalia believes that the most authentic and deepest sense of community is in the Eucharist; those who are centered on Christ in the Eucharist and are united with one another by way of receiving Christ in Holy communion are living in the most profound community there is.  While the Catholic Church (Catholic means "universal") is open to absolutely everybody, Father Scalia believes conversion of heart is the greatest obstacle for anyone entering the church, which makes it the most difficult component for the Catholic Church hosting an inclusive community event, as while all are welcome to attend services, anyone entering the church is also required to make the conversion of heart, repent of sin, and profess the true faith in the way of the Catholic Church.

Several interviews were conducted with attendees of the Latin Tridentine Mass including Natalie Stroster, Ruth and Paul Almeter, Ricardo Kinch, and Anne Nyaga.  Anne says when you pray you are connected with countless generations of Christians who have prayed before you in the same language and in a similar cultural way, and you get a sense of being connected.  She mentions Orthodoxy, by Gilbert K. Chesterton, which references the statement of "Tradition is like Democracy for the Dead."  When she participates in traditional liturgy she feels like she's participating in a larger form of democracy through the Catholic Latin Tridentine Mass services.

Natalie Stroster mentions that she has a brother with down syndrome, which inspired her to get involved with being pro-life in second grade, and she believes it is important to stay grounded in your faith and in your morals. Her views are similar to the pro-life convictions expressed by Ruth and Paul Almeter, who seek to find common ground even with people who are pro-abortion, but do believe in standing convicted in their beliefs and values that correlate with their Catholic faith.