Is using Universalis okay in the United States?

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Prodigal1984

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I really love this app, however in time I realized that their texts are only approved in the United Kingdom and some other English speaking countries, as they use the Jerusalem Bible as the source. From what I have read, this translation has not been approved by the USCCB as of now. Does this mean in the U.S. we really aren’t supposed to be using this?
I would be disappointed if that were the case, this app has been a blessing.
 
If you are lay and praying it at home, you will be fine.

Just make sure you select the correct local calendar. Universalis has the following Calendars for the United States:
  • United States << general one
  • United States - Boston << should be for Province of Boston which is all of Mass, Maine, VT & NH
  • United States - California << all of CA
  • United States - Hartford << should be for entire Province of Hartford (aka CT and Rhode Island)
  • United States - Newark << should be for entire Province of Newark (aka New Jersey)
  • United States - New York archdiocese << at least Archdiocese of New York if not whole state
  • United States - Omaha << should be for entire Province of Omaha (aka Nebraska)
  • United States - Ordinariate << Anglican Use Parishes
  • United States - Ordinariate - Ascension on Thursday << Anglican Use Parishes
  • United States - Philadelphia << should be for entire Province of Philadelphia (aka Pennsylvania)
  • United States - Ascension on Thursday << general for religious orders that celebrate teh Ascension on Thursday
 
If you subscribe (or purchase), you get the correct texts for the US with the proper settings selected.
 
I once had a class from one of the writers of the Jerome Biblical Commentary (Joseph Fitzmeyer) who said that the problem with the Jerusalem bible is that it is just fine for reading and prayer but for serious bible study it doesn’t work that well. It is because of the translation of some pronouns. Some are translated as “with” instead of “in” or “through”. This does not make a difference in prayer or reading but can be a serious misinterpretation in theological understanding.

I was also told that the Jerusalem bible in English is a translation from the French Jerusalem bible which is a good translation and better than the English translation.
 
You cannot use it in place of the altar Missal for saying Mass. You cannot use it in place of the Breviary if you are required to say the daily Office. A lay person is free to use it for any purpose.
 
The thing is the translation of the Hours is different than that of my four volume set. It is the same readings etc but the translation differs. Only for the LoH. Mass they use the NAB but for the Hours they use the Jerusalem’s Bible which is approved in the UK and some other countries but not the U.S. And yes I have my settings set correct.
 
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Are you using their app or website? Their app has the approved US texts for LOTH.

ETA: FAQ
Read the paragraph about Grail translations.
 
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Exactly, only the Mass Readings are available in the New American Bible setting. However, notice this is not provided for the LOTH. If you own the four volume set and compare the translation to the one on Universalis you will notice the translations are different, for that exact reason. In the United States, both the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours authorized translation currently is the NAB. Universalis offers the NAB for Mass readings but not for the LOTH, so technically the translation of that is not authorized for use in the United States as it is the Jerusalem Bible. I have no issue with the translation , I was just curious if it was okay technically to use this one. The Jerusalem Bible is an authorized version in the UK and some other English speaking countries, but not in the U.S.A.
 
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OK… so you have one tiny portion of your office that’s not the correct translation. My apologies for misunderstanding, and thank you for the correction. Nonetheless, in private recitation, anyone is still free to use it.
 
One of my favorites. Praying for them to overcome their obstacles to reopening this to all.
 
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