Implementation of the new Mass translations

[GwenL]

At a breakfast the other day, our Bishop gave a talk about the new Mass translations and the coming implementation. A few highlights: a date hasn’t been officially established, but “everything he’s heard” indicated implementation on the first Sunday of Advent, 2011. The reason for the long wait is to give bishops and priests time to introduce the translations and catechize. He cited the disruptive, unexplained, and often forceful way that the vernacular Mass was implemented post VII, and said that we want to avoid that. He said that the priests have a far bigger challenge than the laity. He talked about many passages and prayers that will change and cited the scriptural richness and meaning that the new translations will capture (or recapture). He noted a few of the prayers (I think it was Eucharistic prayer II that he specifically cited) that were nearly 2000 years old and that had been poorly translated; the new translation would recapture the tradition and beauty of the original. He noted that many of the laity would be happy with the translation, most would be neutral, and a few would be very very mad. He advised that we be charitable and patient with the latter, but that we did need to move on and make it happen. He really emphasized the importance of catechesis, and the need to explain to the laity the theology and scriptural references behind some of the words and changes (consubstantial, e.g.)

One very interesting rumor. This is based on the Church’s tolerance for many forms of the Mass (EF and OF, e.g.), many rites and many local cultural adaptations. Apparently there is a group of people who want the Church to consider the current Mass as an allowable form of Mass and retain the option to celbrate it and NOT transition to the new translation. Our Bishop thought that wouldn’t get very far.

 

[Monica4316]

I’ll personally be very happy if the new Mass translation gets implemented! that’s good to hear!

 

[momor]

Is there a final version online somewhere? I read a version about 6-9 months ago, I forget where it was now. I think it said the final response from the US Bishops on our translation (what I was reading) had not been approved by Rome at that time. Some of the words seemed really cumbersome to me and I think they would be very hard for young or poorly educated people to understand.

 

[Phemie]

He noted that many of the laity would be happy with the translation, most would be neutral, and a few would be very very mad.

If things run true to form, the ones who complain the loudest will also be the ones who couldn’t be bothered to attend a catechesis session, no matter how much we bent backwards to accommodate their schedule.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Our parochial vicar has been writing articles in our bulletin that address the changes. He has started with the Creed, and these articles are very informative, not only addressing changes in the wording, but the theology behind them. So we are not having the changes just implemented, but we are given the reasons for them and a gradual introduction. This should make for a smoother transition, although when the new translation actually goes into effect it may take a while to internalize it.

 

[GwenL]

Here is one place to see the new translation usccb.org/romanmissal/examples.shtml

My understanding is that Rome has indeed approved (given recognito) to the English translation. What is next is some final editing. I think that means final proofreading before printing, not major changes. And setting a date for implementation.

It will happen. The only questions are “when” and “how much will some people scream and make it unpleasant for themselves and others?”

By the way, I think the words that some may call “cumbersome” actually express the true meaning of the concepts at hand far better than today’s dumbed-down version. And I don’t think that poorly educated or young people are so stupid that, with proper catechesis, they are unable to understand these important concepts.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Still not a word from the pastor and the Archdiocese of Denver website has only a pointer to the USCCB page! It’s a good thing some of the laity is following the transition, doesn’t appear to be much interest in the local clergy.

 

[Bran_Stark]

One very interesting rumor. This is based on the Church’s tolerance for many forms of the Mass (EF and OF, e.g.), many rites and many local cultural adaptations. Apparently there is a group of people who want the Church to consider the current Mass as an allowable form of Mass and retain the option to celbrate it and NOT transition to the new translation. Our Bishop thought that wouldn’t get very far.

That would be very funny - a new schismatic group. The Society of Paul VI: fighting for the ancient 45-year-old tradition of the Mass!

 

[Corki]

Still not a word from the pastor and the Archdiocese of Denver website has only a pointer to the USCCB page! It’s a good thing some of the laity is following the transition, doesn’t appear to be much interest in the local clergy.

Not a peep out here either. There was even a convocation of all the diocisan priests recently. A summary of the presentations was posted on the diocisan website but no mention of the implementation of the new translation. There isn’t even anything drilling down on the liturgy and worship pages of the website.

 

[chaunceygardner]

That would be very funny - a new schismatic group. The Society of Paul VI: fighting for the ancient 45-year-old tradition of the Mass!

I’ll sign up.

I have read and compared the current and revised versions. In some places of the new translations, people will go: “Huh?” Or perhaps just say the old words under their breath.

Then I wonder how the changes will affect the “service music”, which uses the current wording? Churches could have a huge expense in replacing their sheet music and song books.

Note: The website for our diocese has links to the info and says that clergy and liturgy people will be introduced to the changes this year and the laity in 2011, with the new Mass being implemented for Advent of 2011. This matches what others have said here, so Advent of 2011 appears the general start date.

 

[Phemie]

Then I wonder how the changes will affect the “service music”, which uses the current wording? Churches could have a huge expense in replacing their sheet music and song books.

I’ve been told, by someone working on it, that for the time being Canada will simply be publishing a supplement to the Catholic Book of Worship III. It will contain at least 3 new settings of the Ordinary of Mass and about 40 new hymns.

We can expect a new edition of the Catholic Book of Worship (CBW IV?) in about 5 years. Considering that the original CBW dates back to 1972; the CBW II to 1980 and the CBW III to 1994, we were due for a new edition anyway.

 

[japhy]

He talked about many passages and prayers that will change and cited the scriptural richness and meaning that the new translations will capture (or recapture). He noted a few of the prayers (I think it was Eucharistic prayer II that he specifically cited) that were nearly 2000 years old and that had been poorly translated; the new translation would recapture the tradition and beauty of the original.

Yes, the clearer references to Scripture and doctrines in these prayers is a major improvement!

Apparently there is a group of people who want the Church to consider the current Mass as an allowable form of Mass and retain the option to celbrate it and NOT transition to the new translation.

I don’t think that is analogous to having the EF and the OF side-by-side. This new English translation is simply the third edition of the OF Missal, not an entirely new Missal.

 

[japhy]

I have read and compared the current and revised versions. In some places of the new translations, people will go: “Huh?” Or perhaps just say the old words under their breath.

People don’t say “huh?” to the new translation? If they don’t, that doesn’t mean they understand it; it could mean they assume they understand it since it uses words that seem familiar to them already. What does “one in being with the Father” mean? Why do we say Jesus is “Light from Light”?

 

[Andrewcarey]

I can’t wait to use to new translation of the English Mass…I dunno about my home parish St. Agnes though…my parish is pretty liberal though.

Here is one place to see the new translation usccb.org/romanmissal/examples.shtml

My understanding is that Rome has indeed approved (given recognito) to the English translation. What is next is some final editing. I think that means final proofreading before printing, not major changes. And setting a date for implementation.

It will happen. The only questions are “when” and “how much will some people scream and make it unpleasant for themselves and others?”

By the way, I think the words that some may call “cumbersome” actually express the true meaning of the concepts at hand far better than today’s dumbed-down version. And I don’t think that poorly educated or young people are so stupid that, with proper catechesis, they are unable to understand these important concepts.

 

[benedictgal]

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is having the new translations as the topic for this year’s Gateway Liturgical Conference. If I can save up enough money, I really want to attend this.

Of course, I am very happy that the new translations have been approved. I just wish that we could use them this Advent. Sometimes, I think that we are making too much of the whole thing. The translation simply brings us into conformity with Liturgiam Authenticam. We will finally be praying the real words of the Latin texts instead of a group’s interpretation of what they think the words should say.

My best friend is attending the Scott Hahn conference for priests, deacons and seminarians in Pittsburgh this week. I asked him to ask his brother priests about the new translations. My friend is already ecstatic about the new ICEL settings!

 

[bexdad]

Interesting stuff…I look at all the changes and I’m amazed at how many of the priests just leave out the Nicene Creed completely on Sunday and the Lord have Mercy as well…so what difference does it make what translation is used?

I’ll be glad when the new translations are implemented to say them as they’re written…but I really wish they’d make some of these priests stop changing things and leaving stuff out according to their mood on a particular day.

 

[benedictgal]

Interesting stuff…I look at all the changes and I’m amazed at how many of the priests just leave out the Nicene Creed completely on Sunday and the Lord have Mercy as well…so what difference does it make what translation is used?

I’ll be glad when the new translations are implemented to say them as they’re written…but I really wish they’d make some of these priests stop changing things and leaving stuff out according to their mood on a particular day.

The Holy See has been trying to do that for quite some time. Just read Redemptionis Sacramentum.

 

[Phemie]

The Holy See has been trying to do that for quite some time. Just read Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Redemptionis Sacramentum didn’t come up with many ‘new’ rules.

The problem is really that those priests who didn’t follow the rules that already existed in various documents aren’t anymore likely to follow them now that they’ve been reissued under one single document.

 

[Canto]

I’ll sign up.

I have read and compared the current and revised versions. In some places of the new translations, people will go: “Huh?” Or perhaps just say the old words under their breath.

I noticed a woman at Mass the other day saying ‘and my soul shall be healed.’ If they go ‘Huh’ perhaps they should then do some research as to what it means In some cases it may mean what it currently means, just different words, in other cases it may bring out a greater fuller meaning, like quoting the Roman Centurion or replying ‘and with your spirit,’ which is no mere ‘right back at ya pops!’

Then I wonder how the changes will affect the “service music”, which uses the current wording? Churches could have a huge expense in replacing their sheet music and song books.

The ordinaries have been online for ages for composers to do settings and get them aproved. ICEL has an English setting of the Missa Simplex and one can always use the tradtional Latin settings

If they are worried about expenses just print Pope Paul VIs Jubilate Deo which has the dialogue and other ordinaries set to Music. You can download a copy from the UK/Wales Bishops web site. That will never need to be replaced. The parish would then be fulfilling Vat IIs Latin and chant requirement and fulfulling the first musical preferences, the last being the four hymn sandwhich.

 

[japhy]

… just print Pope Paul VIs Jubilate Deo which has the dialogue and other ordinaries set to Music.

Shhh! Jubilate Deo is Pope Paul VI’s best kept secret, thanks to our bishops. Don’t spoil their fun!