Article: Latin Masses are making a comeback

BRENTWOOD -- The faithful bowed quickly in the direction of the altar with its ruby-studded gold chalice, crossing themselves before scattering throughout the sparsely occupied pews.

Black lace mantillas mingled with capri pants and sandals. Small blond boys in their Sunday best sat across the aisle from Latina grandmothers. Here, there were teens; there, a man with a graying ponytail.

Suddenly the clear, high-pitched chime of a bell pierced the hush that cloaked the spacious sanctuary, signaling the start of an ancient ritual that four decades of change has largely eclipsed.

"Gloria in excelsis Deo," intoned the priest as congregation and choir stood to sing their response.

"Et in terra pax ...

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