Why do Catholics pray in Latin? Why do Mormons pray in old English?

Question

I'm sure God speaks regular English, right?

My wife is Catholic, I am a jack-Mormon.

In prayers, Mormons will say, "God we love thy ..... and we ask thee....."

Why is this?

Lilmiss, you are obviously wrong, since I am living proff that a mormon can marry a catholic. If you throw money at the right religions they will give you their thumbs up. (No lie)

DOH, I meant to say "proof"

Answer 1

I always found that to be absurd. Of course, it's even worse that people in mainstream Christianity somehow feel that they must pray and make any other references to God in Olde English (likely because the KJV is written that way).

In my personal opinion, that just shows a lack of thinking. God created language and is able to read our thoughts. Why would it matter if we prayed in a certain language???

Answer 2

Not all Catholics pray in Latin. I just LOVE the Latin.

Both the current and former popes encourage us to know our basic prayers in Latin. Because then we can go anywhere and pray with other Catholics. Making us a truly universal church.

With the current pope about to send along a Motu Proprio giving free use to the Tridentine Mass, I think more and more Catholics will use the Latin.

From a psychological standpoint - praying outside what is "normal" for us builds a better connection to that which is beyond our "normal" vision.

That is we pray in an ancient language because God is ancient.

That's one of the theories as to why Islam is gaining popularity. Because they are required to learn their prayers in Arabic. Something beyond the norm.

I do use my Old English when praying in English. Thee and Thou. The formality of the Old English is more honorable to God.

Answer 3

The Catholic Bible is based on the Vulgate which was written in Latin. I guess Latin became the common tongue for Catholics of different nations. Today, though, much of the Mass and the prayers have been translated into the common language for each area (isn't that what Vulgate means anyways?).

Mormons pray in whatever language they're comfortable with. Latinos pray in Spanish; Brasileiros in Portuguese; Finns in Finnish, etc.

Answer 4

All religions will do that to a point. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It just reminds us that the Lords court room is very formal as he is a great and Almighty being and this formal speech is good I think. If we had more of it then I think people wouldn't show up at Church with halter tops and shorts on.

Very few Catholics actually pray in Latin anymore but, they are starting to key up the Latin Masses again so we will see.

Answer 5

Latin is still the official language of the Roman Catholic Church and all official documents are printed in Latin.

The origins of latin as the official language of the Catholic Church dates back to Constantine. Constantine ended the persecution of the Catholic Church and his sucessor made it the religion of the Roman Empire. The language of the Roman Empire was Latin, so the language of the Catholic Church became Latin. When the Roman Empire conquered distant lands, they brought their religion and language with them.

So, Latin was used in Catholic prayers because Latin was the language of most people. Well, that was 1000s of years ago and the language of the people is now English in America, Spanish in Spain, French in France, etc, NOT Latin. To go back to the tradition of the prayers being in the language of the people, teh Vatican allowed the venacular language to be used in liturgies.

Answer 6

Catholics pray in Latin because Latin is traditionally the most universal language in the world and the Church is universal. The cool part about knowing how to pray at participate in Mass in Latin is that you can go anywhere in the world and still be "at home" in Church.

Previous posters are right in that Latin has fallen out of vogue with modern Catholics, esp. in the U.S., but it's starting to come back in style. The recently published Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church includes the most common prayers in Latin as well as in the native language of the nation where it's published (eg. English in the U.S.), and the Pope encourages us to learn these Latin prayers and teach them to our kids. (My husband is currently teaching our nearly 8-yr-old the Sign of the Cross in Latin, and he's finding it easier to learn than I am!)

Old English --and actually, it's Middle English, but old to us! -- is a charming formality that gives some folks a verbal cue that they really are talking to God.

Answer 7

Its actually a tradition in many religions to have special language set aside for prayer, thus making that language sacred. For instance, Jews use Hebrew, which no one outside of Israel uses for normal conversation. Latin was used in Catholic worship until the last Vatican council in the 60s. Many people miss it badly.

Answer 8

When I pray I use Thee, Thou, Thy, Thine, etc because it is the most respectful way I have of talking. In a conversation with diety, I want to be as respectful as possible.

Edit: I have no idea what Daniel F. is saying, but if he knows Latin, that is pretty darn cool

Answer 9

Most modern Catholics do not pray in Latin, and only a few words/songs in the mass are in Latin these days.

Answer 10

The use of thee, thy, thine and thou is a sign of respect for deity. In English, the formal and very personal pronouns are reserved for deity as a sign of reverence. We do not speak to God or refer to Him in common language.