The Healing Power of the Catholic Latin Mass: A Survivor’s Reflection on the Extraordinary Form

+JMJ+ As someone who has survived the trauma of clerical abuse, my journey toward healing has been long and filled with challenges. Yet, amidst the darkness, I have found solace and peace in many places. One of those places is the Latin Mass, also known as the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. While many people are quick to dismiss it as a relic of the past, I have discovered that it offers more than just an aesthetic experience. It has also been a profound tool for spiritual healing for me.

For those unfamiliar, the Latin Mass is the traditional form of the Roman Catholic Mass. It is celebrated in Latin and tends to be more solemn and contemplative in comparison to the Ordinary Form of the Mass (also known as the Novus Ordo). After Vatican II, the Ordinary Form became more commonly used. However, the Latin Mass remains a treasure of the Church, and it offers a unique and sacred experience of worship.

Before continuing, let me be clear: I’m not here to spark debates about Vatican II, the validity of the Ordinary Form, or the merits of either form of the Mass. Both forms are valid. Jesus is truly present in both. Period.

Why Aesthetics Matter

Some critics argue that the Latin Mass is all about aesthetics, but I would argue that the aesthetic elements aren’t just for show. Actually, they serve a deeper purpose. God gave us our senses to honor and glorify Him, and the Latin Mass engages all of them in a way that draws us closer to His presence. Whether it's the rich scents of incense, the sound of the Latin prayers, the visual beauty of the altar and vestments, or the reverent gestures of the priests and faithful, the Latin Mass elevates our hearts and minds. It invites us to transcend the world’s distractions and focus solely on Our Lord.

There is something profoundly meaningful about offering God our best—not merely the bare minimum, but everything we have. Over the years, I have predominantly attended the Ordinary Form of the Mass, as that is the form celebrated at my parish. While I have never felt that my presence there is unimportant (after all, I am there for Jesus), I have sometimes sensed that the atmosphere of the Mass is less solemn and more "casual." As I’ve mentioned, Jesus is truly present in both forms of the Mass. I am not trying to criticize my parish. I love my church, the priests, and the parishioners, and my family feels blessed to have such good, holy priests. God bless them! However, speaking about Catholic churches in general, in my experience, between certain music, the behavior of some parishioners—people waving to each other, talking loudly before and even during Mass, chewing gum, dressing immodestly—it can be difficult to maintain a sense of reverence. In contrast, I find that the Latin Mass, with its deep reverence and dignity, serves as a powerful reminder that I am approaching the King of the Universe.

A Safe Space for Healing

Attending the Ordinary Form of the Mass as a survivor of abuse often carries with it a sense of unease and often causes anxiety for me. My rapist, the priest who embodied a figure of power over me, still haunts my mind, even though I know I am in the presence of Jesus. During those years of abuse, I could never escape the unsettling gaze of this priest. My family always sat close to the front and, even during Holy Mass, his eyes seemed to follow me. He watched me with an intensity that made me feel powerless. It was as though he “owned” me, and his dark stare was a constant reminder of my vulnerability. He used the sacrament of Confession to cause me further pain, and the confessionals are also triggering for me. Even now, when I attend Mass, those old wounds can sometimes resurface.

But there’s something different about the Latin Mass. For me, it’s a place where I find peace despite the triggers of my past. The reverent silence, the beauty of the liturgy, and the focus on the Eucharist help me to transcend the trauma I experienced. I’m not distracted by the personalities in the room or the "informality" that sometimes characterizes the Ordinary Form. The Latin Mass is quiet, solemn, and contemplative. It draws my heart closer to God. There it is far easier to surrender my pain and find healing in His presence.

The Uniqueness of Latin

Some might dismiss Latin as a "dead" language, but for me, there is something profoundly unifying about it. Because Latin is no longer commonly spoken, when we pray in this language, we are united with Catholics worldwide, regardless of their native tongue, offering the same prayers in the same sacred language. Latin also serves as a reminder of the rich, timeless tradition of the Church one that transcends both time and place. We often encourage people to hold on to traditions. Just think of how we celebrate Christmas or other special occasions, keeping age-old customs alive. Similarly, it’s special when a grandmother, for example, passes down traditions from her culture, including the language, to her grandchildren. Why not do the same with the most important part of our lives—our faith?

I’ve heard it said that demons particularly dislike Latin, and while that might sound strange to some, there is an undeniable power in the language. It’s sacred. When you understand the prayers and the beauty of the liturgy, it’s as though one's soul is lifted to something higher. Why not embrace this treasure of our faith, especially when so much of our world seems intent on discarding the sacred for the mundane?

On Rigidity and Freedom

One of the critiques often levied against the Latin Mass is that it’s rigid or too formal, that it’s an expression of fear or control. I see it differently. The Latin Mass is an invitation to reverence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with encouraging reverence! Reverence should be encouraged and there is no such thing as showing our Creator too much reverence. Such a thing would be impossible. The Latin Mass (when properly celebrated) doesn’t deny the validity of the Ordinary Form. It simply offers a different way of encountering God. Just as some people prefer a more formal setting for a wedding or a special occasion, the Latin Mass offers a sacred space that speaks of dignity and respect for the Divine.

I will not engage in arguments over the validity of the Novus Ordo Mass. Rather, I wish more people would recognize that there’s more than one way to approach God. Both forms of the Mass are valid, and both have their place in the life of the Church. Why pit them against each other? Why assume that one way is the only right way? Our Church, in her wisdom, has embraced diverse expressions of worship, each reflecting the depth and breadth of our faith.

A Sense of Belonging

In my experience, the Latin Mass offers a unique sense of respect for the sacredness of the human person. I have attended many reverent Novus Ordo masses, but in my own experience I have seen more irreverent and rushed masses when compared with the Latin Mass. More often than not, the priest honors the Eucharist and the faithful approach to receive Communion with reverence, often kneeling to receive. For me, this outward respect mirrors the inner reverence that I feel.

When I attend the Latin Mass, I also feel as though I am surrounded by people who understand the sacredness of the moment, who are focused on something greater than themselves. For some reason, there is more modesty and more respect for one another. It’s a place where I can feel safe, not because of the people, but because of the deep reverence and the focus on God. For someone who has known the pain of abuse, such an environment is deeply healing.

A Gift of Healing

The Latin Mass, for me, has been a profound gift. It has helped me draw closer to God and find healing in ways I never imagined. It offers a witness to the sacred, a sense of reverence, and a focus on God that helps me leave behind the pain of my past. When my family is able to attend a Latin Mass, we don’t attend because of the aesthetics. We attend because it helps us feel closer to God. In the beauty of the liturgy, I can find peace and healing.

If you’ve never attended a Latin Mass, I encourage you to give it a try. You might find, as I have, that there’s something truly extraordinary about it—a beauty that speaks to the soul and elevates the heart to Heaven. Whether or not it’s the right fit for you, I believe the reverence it embodies can help us all draw closer to the healing presence of Jesus Christ.

God meets us where we are. For me, I have found Him in a special way in the Extraordinary Form. It's just one of the many gifts He’s given me on my journey of healing.