Young Catholics Rediscover Latin Liturgy During St Thérèse Relic Visit in Chennai

Chennai, September 11, 2026: Hundreds of young Catholics gathered at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Chrompet, Chennai, on September 9 for a Novus Ordo Mass enriched by Latin responses and Gregorian chant during the veneration of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

The celebration, for many young participants their first experience of a Mass incorporating Latin and Gregorian chant, reflected a growing interest among younger Catholics in the Church’s liturgical heritage.

The relics of St Thérèse, popularly known as the Little Flower, drew nearly a thousand faithful to the church. Six Masses were celebrated throughout the day for pilgrims and parishioners who came to venerate the relics.

The Latin-enhanced Mass was celebrated by Fr Donald, a professor at Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee. While the Liturgy of the Word was proclaimed in English and the homily delivered in Tamil, the congregation responded in Latin and joined in Gregorian chant. Printed sheets containing the Mass responses and hymns enabled the faithful to participate more easily.

The experience left a strong impression on several young participants. One Gen Z participant said the repeated singing of the “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” was particularly moving.

Although the celebration was a Novus Ordo Mass rather than the pre-Vatican II Traditional Latin Mass, the use of Latin and Gregorian chant provided an opportunity for many participants to encounter an important dimension of the Church’s liturgical tradition.

Parish priest Fr Backiya Regis has been encouraging the revival of Latin and Gregorian chant at the parish. The initiative has also extended to English-language celebrations, where Gregorian chant has been introduced with the support of Chrome Charisma, the parish choir. The choir leads the chants and prepares printed materials to help the congregation participate, particularly at the Sunday 9:30 a.m. English Mass.

The parish had previously celebrated Latin Masses during last year’s 1,500 Relics Festival and on All Souls’ Day. Following the St Thérèse celebrations, interest continued on social media, with Catholics expressing a desire to see at least one Latin Mass offered regularly in their own parishes.

The strong participation of young Catholics suggests renewed curiosity about Latin, Gregorian chant and the beauty of the Church’s liturgical heritage. For a generation accustomed to contemporary forms of worship and digital culture, the response in Chrompet indicates that the Church’s ancient musical and liturgical traditions can still speak powerfully to younger Catholics.

By Catholic Connect Reporter