For those who watched Pope Francis offer the Mass in Edmonton, you may have noticed he said large parts of the Mass in Latin and did not mix Indigenous rituals with the Mass. Such liturgical practice follows authentically what the documents of Vatican II outlined about how the Mass should be offered. Vatican II said, “The use of the Latin language, with due respect to particular law, is to be preserved in the Latin rites. “ (SSC 36) It goes on to permit the use of the vernacular in some prayers. Vatican II additionally said, “steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.” (54) As you will see at St. Mary’s we occasionally offer parts of the Mass in Latin. It is the practice of my religious order to promote the reverent offering of the Mass including some parts in Latin, after people have been properly catechized, following the example of the Popes and what Vatican II actually said. Sadly, some will cite a mythological “spirit of Vatican II” to say Latin in the Mass is contrary to Vatican II. Some also say we should mix new fashions, or cultural practices, such as Indigenous rituals, into the liturgy. Vatican II taught, “No other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.” (SSC 23) Such ideas are contrary to the actual words of Vatican II and as such do not in anyway represent the authentic “spirit of Vatican II.” Pope Francis offered Mass with reverence living the teaching of Vatican II. We Catholics should follow his example in reverence.