Speaking a Common Language

In the 1960s and 1970s there was a wave of interest in adopting the comparatively young language Esperanto as a common form of international communication.  Conversely, around the same time the Catholic Church began celebrating the Mass in languages other than Latin. 

In recent years, the influx of non-English speakers (primarily, but not solely, Hispanic dialect Spanish-speakers) into United States parishes has prompted various responses, the most common being offering separate and/or bilingual Masses.  This blogger offers an analysis of the matter, with which we mostly agree.

This new perspective on a Latin Mass defense intrigues us.  Mass should be celebrated in the “peoples’ language,” but what happens when the “people” speak multiple, and not necessarily similar, languages?  Bilingual Masses happen.  Separate, language-specific Masses happen.  And because Masses are separate, so are the people. 

Is it time for a regular, consistent return to Latin in the Church?  Maybe.  It isn’t exactly the “peoples’ language”; however, it eventually could be … again.

A singular language – like Latin in the Church – brings humanity together in other ways, too.  Like a strong, diverse culture that might really form in a parish if everyone attended the same Mass, healthy cultures form in schools and organizations when we somehow achieve mutual respect, understanding, and in some cases even love.

We fly the Enneagram flag primarily for this reason:  to help individuals and leadership teams achieve, or at least strive to achieve, that feeling of community … that one-ness that comes from “speaking the same language.”  Sure, our Enneagram studies and workshops have resulted in varying levels of implementation, but most, if not all, have prompted colleagues to sincerely say to each other, “I understand.” 

And because it’s uttered in a common language, they really do.

Interested in learning more about how an Enneagram workshop might help you and your colleagues begin to speak a common language?  Contact CLS today at [email protected] for more information.