Note: Throughout the month of October, leading up to the 500th anniversary of the legendary date of the outbreak of the Reformation on October 31, 1517, Pray Tell is publishing writings of Martin Luther reflecting his beliefs on liturgy and sacraments at various points in his life.
Pray Tell reader Max Johnson writes in that readers may find the following quotes of interest.
“Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. Actually, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence. Almost all the customary ceremonies are also retained, except that German hymns are interspersed here and there among those parts sung in Latin.” (Article XXIV, The Mass, Augsburg Confession, 1530)
“It is not now my intention to abrogate or to change this service [the Latin Formula Missae of 1523]. It shall not be affected in the form which we have followed so far; but we shall continue to use it when or where we are pleased or prompted to do so. For in no wise would I want to discontinue the service in the Latin language because the young are my chief concern. And if I could bring it to pass, and Greek and Hebrew were as familiar to us as the Latin and had as many melodies and songs, we would hold Mass, sing, and read on successive Sundays in all four languages, German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. I do not at all agree with those who cling to one language and despise all others.” (Martin Luther, The German Mass, 1526)
Johnson writes, “Luther was not quite the hero of the vernacular in liturgy that many have made him out to be.”
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