PODCAzT 177: Latin of the Last Rites in the Traditional Form

We’ll explore this time the Latin of the Last Rites in the Traditional form.

There is enough evidence that Latin is more effective in our Rite than the vernacular, that the use of Latin, often, is warranted. It would be warranted in any event because it is the official language of the sacred liturgical worship of the Roman Catholic Church. From time to time I have lamented the blatant disobedience in regard to can. 249?

I remind the readership, especially those readers who are diocesan bishops, that the Code of Canon Law, can. 249, requires – it doesn’t suggest or recommend or propose, but requires – that seminarians be “very well skilled” in the Latin language:

I recently had the opportunity to administer the last sacraments to a man deeply committed to the traditional practice of the faith. He wanted the traditional rites and he wanted them in Latin. When I was in his presence, I queried again, and he affirmed that he wanted everything in Latin, even parts that could be done in English. Hence, I absolved him in Latin, anointed him in Latin, and gave him Viaticum in Latin.

On the drive home it occurred that some priests out there might benefit from a recording of the Latin of these rites, just I have made recordings of the Latin of other rites, such as parts of Holy Mass, the Blessing of Water, forms of absolution in both forms, the obligatory Latin parts in a traditional baptism, and so forth. So, why not these rites as well? I’ve done the forms of absolution for the sacrament of penance in the pre-conciliar and post conciliar forms in another podcast, but I’ll say them again here.

The book I will use is the Parish Ritual of 1962, recently reprinted.  US HERE – UK HERE

I toss in some helpful pointers for young guys, such as anointing the backs of the hands of priests, rather than the palms, as you do for lay people. I make distinctions about the sacraments of the living and sacraments of the dead.  Anointing is a sacrament of the living. Therefore it is to be received in the state of grace, except in the case wherein it is impossible to hear the confession of and absolve a person.

I read the Latin deliberately, without trying to be fluid or natural. This is intended as an instructional recording, to help young priests and seminarians with Latin.

Note the pattern of the rite.  The first thing that always happens is the expulsion of the Devil.  Then the sanctification part can begin.  This is the constant pattern of our rites, whether it is the cleansing of the priest’s lips before reading the Gospel or the exorcism of salt and water or of a church building before consecration.

The hymn you hear, if you are interested, is from the New English Hymnal – so it’s Anglican and perhaps used in the Ordinariate – ? – “Thou To Whom The Sick And Dying” sung by the Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir.  There is a series from great choirs around the UK to record all the hymns of that hymnal.  I have some of them, thanks to the kindness of readers in the past who checked my wish list.  I am still missing some of the series.

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