The new Order of the Mass

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I think the new translation is great. I’m writing a two-volume series on it. The first volume should be out in September…
 
NCSue said:
TWO VOLUMES? Really? Is it that complex?
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Well, the first volume deals with the things the people say, the second deals with what the priest says. The first volume’s only about 150 pages. The second might end up nearly twice as long!

These two books are “mystagogical catechesis” on the liturgy, something that has been called for repeatedly since Vatican II (and before). It’s not just about the words that have changed, it’s also about the meaning of EVERYTHING we say and do and hear, and why we do these things. It’s something that’s been missing for quite some time. I present things in an accessible manner. Check out my blog for more details (click the link in my signature).

(Update: here’s a link to seven excerpts from my book.)
 
japhy said:
I think the new translation is great.
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Do you have a least-favorite or most-regrettable part(s) of the new translation? I’d ask about a most-favorite part, but I assume numerous parts where the translation is excellent would tie.
 
There is a bit of awkwardness in the Roman Canon:
Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N.
and all gathered here,
whose faith and devotion are known to you.
For them and all who are dear to them
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
or they offer it for themselves
and all who are dear to them,
for the redemption of their souls,
in hope of health and well-being,
and fulfilling their vows to you,
the eternal God, living and true.
That’s just a little funny-sounding. It’s trying to replicate the Latin structure in a way that will sound awkward the first couple of times through.

But there’s nothing really troublesome in the Order of the Mass.
 
The USCCB has published a website giving examples of the new proposed Missal and answering some FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions). Here’s the site:

usccb.org/romanmissal/

From the site’s FAQ:
When will this be implemented for liturgical use?
The text of the Order of Mass (confirmed by the Holy See in June, 2008) has been released as a text for study and formation, but is not intended for liturgical use; that is to say it cannot be used in the celebration of the Mass. The intention of the Congregation for Divine Worship and of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is to enable and encourage a process of preparation and catechesis for both priests and the faithful, as well as to make the texts available to composers of liturgical music who can begin to set the texts, especially the acclamations, to music in anticipation of the implementation of the texts for liturgical use. It is hoped that when the time comes to use the texts in the celebration of the Mass, priests will be properly trained, the faithful will have an understanding and appreciation of what is being prayed, and musical settings of the liturgical texts will be readily available. The revised translation of the Order of Mass will be permitted only when the complete text of the Roman Missal (third edition) is promulgated.
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NewEnglandPries said:
Apparently in South Africa the people weren’t too happy with it.

whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2009/03/and-with-your-fiasco-in-first-run-new.html

One line that made me lol was: “I hate you, hierarchy,” an infuriated Mass-goer wrote.
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Actually, the South African bishops jumped the gun and released it for use instead of for study. Needless to say, the CDWDS wasn’t too happy about it.

I, for one, believe that these new translations are just what we need. Rather than have ICEL give us a paraphrase of what they think the text should say, we are getting an authentic translation of the text. That is why we have a wonderful little document called Liturgiam Authenticam.

Our Adult Religious Ed director asked me to prepare a syllabus for Spring 2010 where we hope to educate the faithful about the new translations. Furthermore, he is open to using japhy’s book (I sent you a tweet on it, japhy–still waiting for your reply) as a supplemental text for the course. In fact, we are trying to get my parochial vicar to teach the course since he is the most faithful of the priests to the rubrics and is a huge supporter of the texts. 👍
 
benedictgal said:
Actually, the South African bishops jumped the gun and released it for use instead of for study. Needless to say, the CDWDS wasn’t too happy about it.

I, for one, believe that these new translations are just what we need. Rather than have ICEL give us a paraphrase of what they think the text should say, we are getting an authentic translation of the text. That is why we have a wonderful little document called Liturgiam Authenticam.

Our Adult Religious Ed director asked me to prepare a syllabus for Spring 2010 where we hope to educate the faithful about the new translations. Furthermore, he is open to using japhy’s book (I sent you a tweet on it, japhy–still waiting for your reply) as a supplemental text for the course. In fact, we are trying to get my parochial vicar to teach the course since he is the most faithful of the priests to the rubrics and is a huge supporter of the texts. 👍
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Just so you know, the bishops are in the process of developing complete catechetical packages that include power point presentations, bulletin inserts, study guides and everything you need to introduce the texts in a parish and to catechise them with regard to the texts. You might not have to reinvent the wheel. The packages are going to be presented in a number of workshops for those people in dioceses who will be responsible for introducing the texts. These along with materials that are expected to come from England might save the parish a lot of work since all the background materials will be there and it will all be downloadable.
 
benedictgal said:
Actually, the South African bishops jumped the gun and released it for use instead of for study. Needless to say, the CDWDS wasn’t too happy about it.
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Yes, they indeed jumped the gun but many on this board have been saying how welcome the average person will find the changes. At least in the small sample size available, that most certainly was not the case.
Its going to take time for people to adjust. Hopefully by the time they adjust there won’t be another retranslation.
 
NewEnglandPries said:
Yes, they indeed jumped the gun but many on this board have been saying how welcome the average person will find the changes. At least in the small sample size available, that most certainly was not the case.
Its going to take time for people to adjust. Hopefully by the time they adjust there won’t be another retranslation.
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Actually, the ones making the bigger issue out of the translation are some of the bishops because of the language. However, as Liturgiam Authenticam notes:
  1. Even if expressions should be avoided which hinder comprehension because of their excessively unusual or awkward nature, the liturgical texts should be considered as the voice of the Church at prayer, rather than of only particular congregations or individuals; thus, they should be free of an overly servile adherence to prevailing modes of expression. If indeed, in the liturgical texts, words or expressions are sometimes employed which differ somewhat from usual and everyday speech, it is often enough by virtue of this very fact that the texts become truly memorable and capable of expressing heavenly realities. Indeed, it will be seen that the observance of the principles set forth in this Instruction will contribute to the gradual development, in each vernacular, of a sacred style that will come to be recognized as proper to liturgical language. Thus it may happen that a certain manner of speech which has come to be considered somewhat obsolete in daily usage may continue to be maintained in the liturgical context. In translating biblical passages where seemingly inelegant words or expressions are used, a hasty tendency to sanitize this characteristic is likewise to be avoided. These principles, in fact, should free the Liturgy from the necessity of frequent revisions when modes of expression may have passed out of popular usage.
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This, I believe, is our insurance policy against the need for further translations.
 
Joannm said:
Just so you know, the bishops are in the process of developing complete catechetical packages that include power point presentations, bulletin inserts, study guides and everything you need to introduce the texts in a parish and to catechise them with regard to the texts. You might not have to reinvent the wheel. The packages are going to be presented in a number of workshops for those people in dioceses who will be responsible for introducing the texts. These along with materials that are expected to come from England might save the parish a lot of work since all the background materials will be there and it will all be downloadable.
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Yes, I know that. However, we would rather take on a more pro-active approach and get the ball rolling now. Furthermore, I think that japhy’s book will be an excellent resource.
 
benedictgal said:
Yes, I know that. However, we would rather take on a more pro-active approach and get the ball rolling now. Furthermore, I think that japhy’s book will be an excellent resource.
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I also suspect his book will be more rooted in the full richness of liturgical tradition than something published by the USCCB… though I could, of course be wrong…
 
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