KOCHI: Decades after being replaced by Malayalam, Latin became part of the services at Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Fort Kochi, from Sunday, when the event of ‘Corpus Christi’ was organised.Latin made its re-entry with the basilica using the language for the Holy Mass on Sunday. Henceforth, the Holy Mass will be held in Latin on the last Sunday of every month, church sources said.Latin had vanished from the basilica in the early 70s after a decree in this regard from Rome as part of giving more importance to the local language. Latin is used for Gregorian chant, which is the central tradition of Western plain chant, a form of monophonic liturgical music in western Christianity that accompanies the Mass and other ritual services. The event assumes significance as it is being held weeks after Easter. The news of reintroduction of Latin has been widely welcomed by believers, sources said.The decision is a harbinger to the Pope’s decision to do away with the practice of seeking permission from the Bishop for the use of Latin in the cathedral, they said. The decree of 2007 has helped in the injection a natural flavour in preaching at the cathedral, the sources said.A letter in this regard was issued by the cathedral last Sunday. The basilica organises classes in Latin for the benefit of the priests. Expressing concern over Latin losing its importance in churches, International Forum for Cultural Heritage Tradition (IFCHAT) president Austin Paul said the move was welcome. He also said he had sent a letter to the Pope a few years ago seeking reintroduction of Latin in churches.
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