St. Thomas More Catholic Community

The New Translation

Liturgy is the place where the Church herself is uniquely evangelized and becomes the community of believers whose faith is strong, whose hope is lively and whose charity is ardent. Liturgy is the place where the Church is called together again and empowered by the Holy Spirit. On the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011, all English-speaking Roman Catholics began to pray using a newly revised English translation of many of the words of the Mass. This means we are all using the exact same words for the prayers we hear and pray together at Liturgy. These new texts have been retranslated from the original Latin edition of the Missal. The texts are a most privileged means for the Church to express the faith, to embrace the faith, and to pass on the faith. Will the new text be perfect? Translation is always an art, not a perfect science. The very fact that English is a living language means that this art evolves from one generation to the next.

HISTORY

The first true liturgical books which could be called “missals” were found in monasteries beginning around the 12th and 13th Centuries. A missale contained not only the prayers but the biblical readings, the chants, and the rubrics for the celebration of Mass. It is difficult to trace exact origins of the first missal. The first book bearing the name Missale Romanum appeared in 1474, perhaps not coincidentally in the same century as the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg (1440). But it was not until after the Council of Trent that Pope Pius V, in 1570, promulgated an edition of the Missale Romanum that was to be in obligatory use throughout the Latin Church (except in cases where another rite had been in place for at least 200 years). This marked the first official attempt at uniformity in the celebration of the Mass in the history of the Church.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why make all these changes now?
A. Changed texts are a more or less regular event in the history of the Church. When a new liturgical book is published, there is what amounts to a trial period of a few years during which things are tested out and refined. Our new edition will be the third edition of the book. The first English version was published in 1970, exactly 400 years from 1570, the year when the first version of what we call the Missal of Pius V or the Tridentine Missal (named after the council of Trent) was published. And just like the 1570 Missal, there were changes made after it was first issued. There was an amended version published in 1971, and then a second edition published in 1975, and then the third edition from 2001. That is the edition that is at the base of the new Roman Missal that we will soon see. (Glenn CJ Byer)

Q. Is the new translation going to be more rigorous?
A. Yes, in a way. The translation was mandated by a Vatican “instruction,” Liturgiam Authenticam, issued in 2001. It said that, “the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses. Any adaptation to the characteristics or the nature of the various vernacular languages is to be sober and discreet.” (Fr. John Foley, S. J.)

Q. How can I prepare for the change?
A. There are many ways in which you can prepare for the changes in the Mass:
✠ Make a conscious effort to participate more fully in the Mass each Sunday and holy day.
✠ Take advantage of any special catechetical sessions offered by your parish.
✠ Visit the Roman Missal Web site (www.usccb.org/romanmissal) to study the new texts and to learn more about the changes.
✠ Read the new texts of the people’s parts at Mass. Begin to study them so that you will be able to pray them well when the new Roman Missal is implemented.
✠ Pray for a renewal of love for the Liturgy in your parish and in the Church.

Q. How can I explain this to my children?
A. Gathering for Mass is different from gathering for a party or for a sports event. When we gather for Mass with the priest we come together to pray and to worship God. We come together in a holy place and at a holy time. The words we pray and the gestures we do are very different from the words and gestures we use at other gatherings. They remind us that it is God who calls us together for this gathering. Some of the words we say and hear at every Mass are about the change. Mass will remain the same but some of the words and prayers we say and in the prayers the priest says will be different. … The words that are changing now ...l give us an opportunity to understand better the meaning of our prayers and our relationship with God. The experts who did the translation wanted to help us pray and understand our faith better. (Maureen A. Kelly) One suggestion to help your child pay closer attention at Mass and to learn the new words is to choose a particular word or phrase from the new translations (such as, “And with your spirit.”) and have your child keep track of how many times he/she hears that phrase. At the end of Mass, compare answers and give a small prize to the child who is correct. (Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S)

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Here are some scriptural references found in the prayers of the
newest translation of the Roman Missal:

“…from the rising of the sun to its setting…”
Malachi 1:11 Eucharistic Prayer III

“…not worthy that you should enter under my roof…”
Luke 7:6-10 Prayer before receiving Communion

“…with your Spirit…”
2 Corinthians 13:13 2 Timothy 4:22 Philippians 4:23
Response of the assembly to the priest or bishop’s greeting

“…as we await the blessed hope…”
Titus 2:13 Embolism (after the Lord’s prayer)

“Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
Revelation 19:9 Invitation to Communion

“…grace to you and peace…”
Galations 1:3 Introductory Rites

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19 Introductory Rites

“…have mercy on us who have sinned against you…”
Baruch 3:2 Penitential Act

“Let us see, O Lord, your mercy…”
Psalm 85:8 Penitential Act

“For in him all things were created…the visible and the invisible.”
Colossians 1:16 Nicene Creed

Some web references for more information:
www.usccb.org/roman-missal
www.becomeonebodyonespiritinchrist.org