Changes in the Mass and the New Roman Missal

CHANGES IN THE MASS

As you may already know, the words we use in the Mass are scheduled to change near the end of this year, when we begin the new Liturgical Year of Grace 2012 with the First Sunday of Advent.

The 2001 Vatican Document Liturgiam Authenticam, (On the Use of Vernacular Language in the Publication of the Books of the Roman Liturgy) outlined new rules and principles for translation, requiring that English and other vernacular versions of the Roman Missal match the original Latin texts more closely (or literally).

Since then the USCCB has been working with the Holy See and various other organizations to revise and approve the new English Translation of the Roman Missal…or more commonly referred to as the Sacramentary.

The following is a means to help you understand in a simple way, why these changes are happening and how each of us may experience the true blessedness of these changes within our prayer and our worship within the universal Catholic Church.

  

HISTORY OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

While the truths of our faith are ageless liturgical books continually evolve to serve God’s people for all time.

The Sacramentary is the bound book of official presider’s prayers we most commonly see held by an altar server or placed on the altar.

The Sacramentary or Roman Missal that we currently use is the English translation of the Latin Missale Romanum

Latin is the preferred language, not only of the Church but also in scholarship, politics, philosophy, science and the arts.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) maintained the Church’s preference for Latin but also allowed for a “more extended use of the vernacular,” or common language of the people, to be used.

The use of the vernacular has been favorable among the faithful and has helped them to pray with more understanding and to deepen spiritual connections between the liturgy and everyday life.

When the vernacular was allowed there was an initial translation, directly and literally from the Latin.  The English-language Sacramentary was published in 1974.

The 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal has now been approved by the Holy See for its use in the dioceses of the United States of America as of the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011

“Holy Mother Church desires that all the faithful be led to the full and active participation of the liturgy for the sake of the beauty, reform and promotion of the liturgy in the life of the faithful before all else.” 

 (CSL #14 – Dec. 4, 1963)

How should we speak to God / of God?

How we speak to God must show our profound reverence for the One who made us and saves us.

How we speak of God should reflect our reverence and belief and in fact be given greater care than a more casual or informal way of communicating with others.

Changes to the wording and responses we use at Mass may be uncomfortable at first since the current words are so automatic and comfortable to us.

With use, we will become more accustomed and familiar with the new translation that seeks to be more accurate and literal to the Latin.

In this way we find ourselves in greater unity with the whole Church, who in their own vernacular, have a translation that reflects that same accuracy.

We will come to a deeper appreciation of what the Church intends to say by these words, a language unique to our faith, and we will come to a fuller universal participation in the mystery we celebrate.

Examples of Changes to Come

P.  The Lord be with you

C.  And with your Spirit

Priest:

Behold the Lamb of God behold him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All:  Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

(See Mt. 8:8   /  Lk. 7:6)

The words we use tell the story of our faith and speak a truth about our love.  They are unique to our faith experience of God.

These words are sacred and true and must significantly express our faith and accompany our worship in word, sung prayer and gesture especially among the ministers of the Eucharistic Banquet!

Words that distinguish our life of faith;

that call us to holiness and reverence;

that speak to us of God;

that are unique to us;

this is the beauty for which we prepare and for which we wait in joyful hope;

these are the words we shall use, commemorating the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, in the sacred Liturgy of the Mass, until He comes in glory!