Must a person understand Latin to be a Catholic?

No. While Latin is the historical language of the Roman Catholic Church in the Western world, and it is helpful to know a little Latin, it’s by no means required. While the Church has always retained its celebration of the ancient Latin liturgy (Usus Antiquior or the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite), it has in recent decades translated all of its liturgies into many vernacular languages. Today, people should have no problem finding a Catholic liturgy celebrated in their own spoken tongue.

That being said, even the Latin liturgies make accommodations for people who don’t know Latin. If one should happen to find oneself at a Latin liturgy, booklets are provided to easily follow along. Scripture passages are read, or re-read, in the vernacular language, and the homily (sermon) is always given in the vernacular language as well.

Was this short article helpful? If so, consider getting the book: Catholic by Choice by Shane Schaetzel. This short article is an excerpt from the book Catholic by Choice which has been used by clergy and catechists throughout North America in OCIA (RCIA) and other Catholic education programs. You can get the whole thing, in one short book, by clicking here.