Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus

The words of the Latin Mass are understood by few, but for the dwindling number of Catholics who do prefer the ancient liturgy no modern substitutes will do. [bold added]

the old Latin Mass, also known as the Tridentine Rite, follows an ancient pattern that was codified in the 16th century. It is celebrated only in Latin, with greater formality and ceremony, and its words and symbolism emphasize Christ’s redemptive sacrifice on the cross as reproduced through the actions of the priest.

Devotees of the old Mass say that they treasure the beauty of the ritual, its links to the church’s past, and what they say is an atmosphere of greater mystery, solemnity and reverence than they find in the new Mass.

As an Episcopalian who's visited Catholic churches for 50 years, I remember the "folk masses" that startled church goers in the 1970's. The music was different, the words were different, even the bread and wine were different. Eventually they were accepted.

Catholics were forced to think about their faith from top to bottom; yet it was clear that other forms of worship were just that--alternatives that one could use from time to time to enhance understanding of the essentials of faith. We're not taking off anything from the menu, just adding a few dishes.

To this non-Catholic Christian banning the Latin Mass ("In July, Pope Francis issued a decree permitting local bishops to ban the Latin Mass in their dioceses and instructing them to do so in parish churches") seems like a betrayal. Advocates of change were given the opportunity by traditionalists and over decades won over the majority. Now they want to remove one of the former-majority-now-minority's cherished ceremonies. A little fair play, not to mention Christian charity, is called for.

Besides, why the insistence on removing something so beautiful?