Celebrating Mass with a new English translation

Dear Friends in Christ,

Next year at this time we will be celebrating Mass with a new English translation. The new translation is more poetic, more faithful to the original Latin, and more Biblical than the current translation. I think we will all find the new translation a joy and a challenge. A joy because of the beauty of the new words, a challenge because we will have to be more attentive in making our responses at Mass.

To help us prepare for the new translation over the next year we will conduct instructional sessions in our parish meetings, on our website and in the bulletin. These will include catechesis on the parts of the Mass, information on how the new texts came about, and comparisons of the current texts with the new texts. It will be an interesting and engaging time for us to deepen our understanding of the Mass.

Here is a quote from the U.S. Bishops’ website (usccb.org) regarding the new translation:

The Roman Missal, Third Edition, the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass, has been approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. First use of the new text of the new Roman Missal will be on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

Pope John Paul II announced a revised version of the Missale Romanum (Roman Missal) during the Jubilee Year 2000. Among other things, the revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well–known responses and acclamations of the people.

May the implementation of the revised Roman Missal be a time of deepening, nurturing, and celebrating our faith through the renewal of our worship and the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy.

A joyous Advent 2010 to all of you.

Fr. Hildebrand