POMETTO: Resting in the word in a universal Church

Masses are said in at least 14 different languages in the Archdiocese. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). 

This famous opening to the Gospel of John refers to Christ as the eternal Word of God. But how can we rest in this word within a universal Church that literally speaks every language? 

This summer, I was blessed to lead 70 young adults to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Young People. Our group included two priests and one bishop, who celebrated Masses for us in English with several readings proclaimed in Spanish — familiar languages for all our pilgrims.  

After the young adult trip ended, I stayed in Italy for another week with my sister-in-law. Since the priests and bishop also left with the young adults, this meant that during that last leg of the trip, I participated in several Masses in Italian.  

Yes, I know that the Mass is the same no matter the language. There is beauty in the familiarity of the Liturgy that extends beyond language. Even though I didn’t understand what the Italian priests were saying, I recognized the vestments, the candles at the altar, the bread and wine that were held up at consecration. In that regard, I was able to rest in the “Word made flesh” (Jn 1:14) even while traveling abroad.  

However, after the trip ended and I returned to Mass in English at my parish, I remember feeling slightly relieved to be back to what I considered “normal.” I breathed a sigh of relief, which made me ask myself, “What is that about?” 

When attending Mass in Italian, it was slightly more difficult for me to enter fully into the mystery. Using the iBreviary app, I tried to follow along with the Mass parts and read the readings in English as they were proclaimed. I had to work a little harder to participate in those Masses. When I returned home, I felt comfortable resting in the English word that was familiar to me. The discomfort I experienced when attending Mass in Italian has made me pause and consider several things.  

First, I thought about my Hispanic brothers and sisters here in Houston who sometimes arrive without knowing any English. It must be so challenging for them to feel out of place in their surroundings. It made me proud to know that our Archdiocese has so many offerings of Mass in Spanish — a place where the Hispanic community can come and rest in the Spanish word that is familiar to them.  

Second, I thought about Pope Leo XIV. At the papal audience, we witnessed him deliver his address in Italian, Spanish, English, and Portuguese. It has been noted that our new pontiff will sometimes slip into English, especially when he goes off script at various moments. It must also be so challenging for him to be responsible for teaching and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to the whole world with all its many languages. He has taught himself to rest in the Italian word after spending most of his life with English and Spanish.  

Third, I thought of my mom and her insistence that my siblings and I learn our prayers in Latin when we were growing up. The papal audience ends with the pope leading the people in praying the Our Father in Latin. 

For me, I was able to rest in the Latin word since it felt as familiar to me as English. This was not true for many of the young adults on the trip with me.  

If we are called to rest in the word in this universal Church, I believe all of us have a call to be a little more universal. So, let us all follow Pope Leo’s example and challenge ourselves to learn our prayers in another language.  

And for heaven’s sake, learn the Our Father in Latin! 
  
Angela E. Pometto is the director for the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry.