Editing Mass of Paul VI (section)

===Vernacular language===
In his 1962 apostolic constitution {{lang|la|[[Veterum sapientia]]}} on the teaching of [[Latin]], Pope John XXIII spoke of that language as the one the church uses: "The Catholic Church has a dignity far surpassing that of every merely human society, for it was founded by Christ the Lord. It is altogether fitting, therefore, that the language it uses should be noble, majestic, and non-vernacular." However, the only mention of the liturgy in that document was in relation to the study of [[Greek language|Greek]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adoremus.org/VeterumSapientia.html |title=Apostolic Constitution ''Veterum sapientia'' |date=31 December 2007 |publisher=Adoremus.org |access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref>

The Second Vatican Council stated in {{lang|la|Sacrosanctum Concilium}}, 36:<ref name="vatican1"/>

{{blockquote|
# Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
# But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.
# These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, to decide whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used; their decrees are to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. And, whenever it seems to be called for, this authority is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.}}

At the same time, {{lang|la|Sacrosanctum Concilium}} 54 makes clear that, though the vernacular is permitted, "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."<ref name="vatican1"/>