You know, Caesar, there was something that just occurred to me today. I came to the realization that the downturn of seminarians in the US may actually be a blessing in disguise for more traditional Catholicism. We are already starting to see the fruits of the Pope John Paul II generation with more conservative priests joining the church. If it is true that parishes with a reverent NO and the TLM have the highest numbers of seminarians (which makes sense because you have to be fairly serious about your faith to join a seminary), then the long term future of the American Catholic Church will be just fine. Since there are very few priests coming from the more liberal parishes, it stands to reason that the next generation of priests will be MOSTLY conservative and traditional. And then, of course, the future priests will eventually become future bishops. Therefore, when they start to reach 35 years old (the minimum age to become a bishop), we should start to see these people get into power positions in the US, and they will finally have some influence. Sure, we might have to wait another 20 years, but it will be interesting to see what happens…My Spiritual Director mentioned to me that the Holy Father is releasing an encyclical on the Eucharist soon that will be addressing issues with both the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo Mass, encouraging an increased usage of the TLM and pushing for changes in the NO.
I believe the correct term is Apostolic Exhortation, not encyclical. It was supposed to be the final result of the last Synod of Bishops in Fall 2005. The subject was Liturgy. Yes that is 2005, not 2006. The Vatican is already planning for the next Synod of Bishops, in 2008 I believe. The subject of the 2008 meeting is the Word of God. At the rate we are going, it is a distinct possibility that we may have the next Synod before the results of the last one are published. The rumors of the Moto Proprio on the freeing of the Traditional Latin Mass have turned out to be nothing more than that, just rumors. Lastly, there has been little or no news about the new English translation of the Novus Ordo Mass since last summer when the USCCB supposedly “approved” it. From what I have read, it may be several more years before that gets implemented, if it ever does. I’m only 46, but I am beginning to feel like I’ll never live to see any substantial change from the banal, trite, Novus Ordo liturgies that permeate most Catholic parishes these days.My Spiritual Director mentioned to me that the Holy Father is releasing an encyclical on the Eucharist soon that will be addressing issues with both the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo Mass, encouraging an increased usage of the TLM and pushing for changes in the NO.
There has been some news on the new translation. The Vox Clara Commission is responsible for this, and you’ve got to realize that they only ever put out about two press releases per year. All they’ve announced so far is the completion of the ordinary of the Mass. Before anything can be released, they now have to go through all of the PROPERS too. The USCCB voted on the first group of propers (for Advent, but minus the Psalms) just back in November. You may also be interested to know that the USCCB also worked on a new directory for music and the liturgy. Primarily, they first want to try to gradually eliminate hymns and songs with doctrinally problematic lyrics. So… things are moving forward. The latest rumor is that the new English translation MIGHT be ready to debut on World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008, but personally, I think that’s about a year early myself.I believe the correct term is Apostolic Exhortation, not encyclical. It was supposed to be the final result of the last Synod of Bishops in Fall 2005. The subject was Liturgy. Yes that is 2005, not 2006. The Vatican is already planning for the next Synod of Bishops, in 2008 I believe. The subject of the 2008 meeting is the Word of God. At the rate we are going, it is a distinct possibility that we may have the next Synod before the results of the last one are published. The rumors of the Moto Proprio on the freeing of the Traditional Latin Mass have turned out to be nothing more than that, just rumors. Lastly, there has been little or no news about the new English translation of the Novus Ordo Mass since last summer when the USCCB supposedly “approved” it. From what I have read, it may be several more years before that gets implemented, if it ever does. I’m only 46, but I am beginning to feel like I’ll never live to see any substantial change from the banal, trite, Novus Ordo liturgies that permeate most Catholic parishes these days.
Hi KIrk, the line in question came directly from scripture, as spoken by the Centurian. To mistranslate scripture I feel is wrong period. no matter how nice or even proper the saying may sound to our ears. I’m sure that the original intent of having the line used was a valid one and had no need of changing to suit our tastes and styles.Pardon me for a moment if I just make one observation that I’ve been thinking about regarding this for a long time (I’m not one of these people who favor inclusive language or a diddling about linguistically with the Mass to “keep pace” with contemporary times, indeed, I wish we used “thee” and “thou,” etc.): What really IS the problem with “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you?” That’s what we’re actually DOING at that point. We’re not receiving Him under our “roof.” He isn’t coming to our house, as He had started out toward the centurion’s in the NT (from which we take the words, I grant you that), He’s coming into US. I don’t see why this is such a big problem.
The language of the Church is Latin. The mass is translated from Latin to the vernacular, here English. Our translation at the moment is so far from the Latin it is not at all what was intended by those who included the prayer, especially, as palmas said, since this line comes from the Gospels.Pardon me for a moment if I just make one observation that I’ve been thinking about regarding this for a long time (I’m not one of these people who favor inclusive language or a diddling about linguistically with the Mass to “keep pace” with contemporary times, indeed, I wish we used “thee” and “thou,” etc.): What really IS the problem with “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you?” That’s what we’re actually DOING at that point. We’re not receiving Him under our “roof.” He isn’t coming to our house, as He had started out toward the centurion’s in the NT (from which we take the words, I grant you that), He’s coming into US. I don’t see why this is such a big problem.
A survey of the Holy Father’s earlier writings indicate that this is very near and dear to his heart. You may have a point here.In our diocesan paper there was an article that promoted the priest and congregation facing the same way. I wondered if we were being prepared for this welcome change.
Yes, I’m quite aware of all of these facts that you brought out. But, it still makes me wonder if we will ever really see any changes. Take for example, the recent decision to render the translation of “pro multis” from “for all” to “for many”. Why couldn’t that have been directed to start immediately instead of at the next translation release? It’s only one word. It wouldn’t make the whole missalette obsolete. All you would need is a letter to be read at all Masses indicating the reason for the change.There has been some news on the new translation. The Vox Clara Commission is responsible for this, and you’ve got to realize that they only ever put out about two press releases per year. All they’ve announced so far is the completion of the ordinary of the Mass. Before anything can be released, they now have to go through all of the PROPERS too. The USCCB voted on the first group of propers (for Advent, but minus the Psalms) just back in November. You may also be interested to know that the USCCB also worked on a new directory for music and the liturgy. Primarily, they first want to try to gradually eliminate hymns and songs with doctrinally problematic lyrics. So… things are moving forward. The latest rumor is that the new English translation MIGHT be ready to debut on World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008, but personally, I think that’s about a year early myself.
As far as the Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, on October 26, the Vatican said that the report would be ready around January or February of 2007, which is about now. HOWEVER… they also surmised that it would likely be pushed back if the Moto Propio was imminent, so that they could be released simultaneously. The Apostolic Exhortation document MUST be released at some point, and so the fact that it isn’t out might suggest that Pope Benedict is trying to work some diplomacy with French bishops and SSPX and make sure that the Moto Propio is acceptable on all fronts, and that that is causing the delay.
You might be interested in Adoremus, the Society for the Renewal of Sacred Liturgy. They have lots of information on the Vox Clara commission. Here’s the link:
adoremus.org/index.html