Tradition is the democracy of the dead

G.K. Chesterton said that “tradition is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about.”

I remembered this quote when reading an article written by a Spanish priest discussing the occasional reemergence of Latin and Greek prayers during Mass. The priest notes that many faithful have complained to him about this, they do not like to say Kyrie eleison instead of Lord have mercy. They do not like to sing Angus Dei instead of Lamb of God. The priest does not like this reemergence either.

If the priest left the use of these prayers as a matter of preference for a particular priest or parish community, I would have respected his article. He would have expressed his dislike while affirming the value of certain traditions of the past which many today find fulfilling. No one can impose this reemergence of elements of the past on others, but all should recognize they are legitimate options along with the use of the vernacular.

The priest concludes writing, “I believe it is most reasonable and most ecclesial to be at par with the times. Above all, it is important to be in a reality that is common to all Christians.”

The first sentence is true, the Church must be at par with the times and must be relevant. Part of being at par with the times and relevant today is to recognize that many faithful Catholics enjoy the occasional Latin chant and other ancient elements of the liturgy. Some say only the old enjoy this, but I have plenty of personal evidence to show otherwise.

The second sentence goes against Chesterton’s words and I find them troubling. The priest writes it assuming the reality that is common to all Christians is what we do today. If we took a vote, most Christians who have lived throughout history would not be familiar with the present way of doing things. The priest is part of Chesterton’s small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about.

At a Papal Mass, what is common to all Christians present is praying Kyrie eleison and chanting the Gloria, Sanctus, Pater Noster and Angus Dei.

I find it puzzling when Catholics get fearful of the reemergence of these liturgical elements of the past within the Novus Ordo Mass. These are part of what it is to be the Catholic Church. To be the Catholic Church means to be the Latin Rite of the universal Church. To be the Catholic Church means to be grounded in our liturgical past, using elements that are applicable to today’s liturgy.

To be afraid of this reemergence as this priest is afraid, is to be afraid of our own past as the Catholic Church. We cannot be afraid of our past. We must embrace it. It’s part of who we are.