The Official Language of the Mass Is Still Latin
It remains desirable by the Church that at least some of the Mass (i.e. Mass parts: Sanctus, Angus Dei, etc.) be chanted in Latin.
36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.
2. 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.
3. 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.
54. In Masses which are celebrated with the people, a suitable place may be allotted to their mother tongue. This is to apply in the first place to the readings and "the common prayer," but also, as local conditions may warrant, to those parts which pertain to the people, according to tho norm laid down in Art. 36 of this Constitution.
Nevertheless 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.
And wherever a more extended use of the mother tongue within the Mass appears desirable, the regulation laid down in Art. 40 of this Constitution is to be observed.
Priests, therefore, are not prohibited from saying the Mass in Latin, although the Readings should be in the vernacular (Vatican Masses are an exception since many of them are entirely in Latin). Public Masses said in the verncaular should always be in the common language of the faithful. I cannot imagine any bishop tolerating Masses being said in a non-Latin language that is not in the vernacular of the people (i.e. a Mass said in French in Colorado Springs) because of the very few, if any, who would understand it. Certain permissions are granted for parished who wish to have a special Mass in a language that is not the vernacular (i.e. Vietnamese and Korean) for those parishes which consist primarily of that ethnic group.
