The New Words are Awkward to Me

[chelaluna55]

This was the second or third time I’ve been to church since the new translation. I just feel that the words are foreign and awkward. I know, I know; if I went more, they would seem less strange. But I don’t know if that would be true. I don’t think the new translation represents an improvement. Instead of enhancing my spiritual experience at Mass, it distracts from it. If they want to go to latin, that would be fine; it’s beautiful. The new translation just isn’t working for me.

 

[teachccd]

This was the second or third time I’ve been to church since the new translation. I just feel that the words are foreign and awkward. I know, I know; if I went more, they would seem less strange. But I don’t know if that would be true. I don’t think the new translation represents an improvement. Instead of enhancing my spiritual experience at Mass, it distracts from it. If they want to go to latin, that would be fine; it’s beautiful. The new translation just isn’t working for me.

Most people found it awkward for the first couple of weeks and that is about where you are at. If you do not attend Mass regularly then it will take even longer since it isn’t natural for you. The new translation is not new and it enhances the scripture basis and latin texts that were always there. Try going to Mass for a few consecutive weeks and then see what happens. Yes, I go to Mass every Sunday and the first couple of weeks took some getting used to. Give it more time and if you want a better spiritual experience try and attend weekly. There is nothing else here on earth like the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass… teachccd

 

[Regina_Love]

The new translation was changed because it is a more accurate translation of the original text. While we are allowed to each worship in our own language, our unity still needs to be that we pray the same prayer, with the same meaning. I hope that helps.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

I can definitely relate to your sentiment and have really been annoyed by the new translation, however it has finally taken hold of me, so to speak, and I am enjoying it very much now. I should also add that I have struggled with the new translation as my Mom has alzheimer’s and she cannot remember that there is a new translation and does remember the “old” way. It makes me very sad as she says the old way and then hears everyone say something different and this leaves her confused and likely hurt. (terrible disease) Sorta building on this theme, the other day she said that, “at least we’ll be able to eat after Mass”. So soon she’ll be left with only pre-Vatican II services.

 

[chelaluna55]

I had never heard the word “consubstantial” before and I have no idea what it means or why it should be used instead of “one in being”, which is clear, concise and easily understandable.
We have a card in our pew that highlights the revisions in bold type. I noticed the added the word “O” to one of the prayers. I’m not convinced that helps anything at all.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

This was the second or third time I’ve been to church since the new translation. I just feel that the words are foreign and awkward. I know, I know; if I went more, they would seem less strange. But I don’t know if that would be true. I don’t think the new translation represents an improvement. Instead of enhancing my spiritual experience at Mass, it distracts from it. If they want to go to latin, that would be fine; it’s beautiful. The new translation just isn’t working for me.

I am going to agree with the others, you need to attend consecutively and then it will become easier for you. It is more accurate of a translation and very beautiful.

If I may offer another suggestion. Use a missal during mass. Not everyone does this but following along with a missal is a way of praying the prayers throughout the whole of mass and can enhance your spiritual experience.

 

[Timothysis]

I had never heard the word “consubstantial” before and I have no idea what it means or why it should be used instead of “one in being”,.

Why don’t you look it up in a dictionary or encyclopedia to see what it means and maybe you will understand why the Church felt that the change was advantageous?

Honestly, the answer is only a couple of keystrokes away…

 

[maryjk]

This was the second or third time I’ve been to church since the new translation. I just feel that the words are foreign and awkward. I know, I know; if I went more, they would seem less strange. But I don’t know if that would be true. I don’t think the new translation represents an improvement. Instead of enhancing my spiritual experience at Mass, it distracts from it. If they want to go to latin, that would be fine; it’s beautiful. The new translation just isn’t working for me.

I am going with many others here and say, once you start attending on a regular basis, you will get used to it.

Maybe looking into why the changes happened would help, maybe not. But give it a chance. Twice/thrice isn’t a chance.

 

[chelaluna55]

Why don’t you look it up in a dictionary or encyclopedia to see what it means and maybe you will understand why the Church felt that the change was advantageous?

Honestly, the answer is only a couple of keystrokes away…

Perhaps you could help me with your interpretation. What makes “consubstantial” more liturgically valid than “one in being”? Is there something in the definition of “consubstantial” that imparts more meaning than “of the same substance” or “one in being”?

 

[IesumPerMariam]

Perhaps you could help me with your interpretation. What makes “consubstantial” more liturgically valid than “one in being”? Is there something in the definition of “consubstantial” that imparts more meaning than “of the same substance” or “one in being”?

From the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Q: In the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, why has “one in being with the Father” been changed to “consubstantial with the Father?”

A: The new translation is more in keeping with the ancient Latin text of the Creed and a more accurate translation.

The bishops at the Council of Nicea (AD 325), in order to ensure that Jesus was professed as the eternal Son of God, equal to the Father, stated that he is “the Son of God, begotten from the Father, the only-begotten, that is from the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, the same substance (homoousion) with the Father…” The Creed of the Council of Constantinople (381), which is professed at all Sunday Masses and Solemnities within the Catholic Church, similarly stated: “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of the same substance (homoousion) with the Father.”

When these two ancient creeds were translated into Latin, the term “homoousion” was rendered as “consubstantialem,” that is, “the same substance of the Father.” Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Latin “consubstantialem” was rendered as “consubstantial” within the English translation of the Creed. Many theologians and the Holy See thought that the term “consubstantial” was more in keeping with the Latin tradition and a more literal and accurate translation than the more recent “one in being.”

This is in keeping with the mind of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which published an Instruction, entitled Liturgiam Authenticam. It stated: “Certain expressions that belong to the heritage of the whole or of a great part of the ancient Church, as well as others that have become part of the general human patrimony, are to be respected by a translation that is as literal as possible” (no. 56).

 

[George_Stegmeir]

This was the second or third time I’ve been to church since the new translation. I just feel that the words are foreign and awkward. I know, I know; if I went more, they would seem less strange. But I don’t know if that would be true. I don’t think the new translation represents an improvement. Instead of enhancing my spiritual experience at Mass, it distracts from it. If they want to go to latin, that would be fine; it’s beautiful. The new translation just isn’t working for me.

I don’t wish to be uncharitable, but how do you think many of us felt when we were denied the Mass in Latin for almost 40 years? However, we obeyed the authorities of Holy Mother The Church and observed what we all know to be a less than accurate English translation of the Mass. The old translation was closer to what one found in the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer than it was to the original Latin.
If and when you attend the new Mass on a regular basis, you will soon get used to it. Just open your heart and offer your misgivings up to the Lord.

 

[ProVobis]

The old translation was closer to what one found in the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer than it was to the original Latin.

Tough to say for some of the prayers. More like 50 years ago, no one was really concerned with the wording of any translations because the Mass was said in Latin. The English in their missals was merely a guide. But it did differ from missal to missal.

For example:

Before the Minor Elevation:

Interlinear:* Per quem hæc omnia, Domine, semper bona creas*,
By Whom these all, Lord, always good things you create,

sanctificas, vivificas, benedicis, et præstas nobis.
You sanctify, You give life to, You bless, and you give to us

EC Missal: By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and bestow upon us all these good things. (also Fr. Lasance)

St Joseph: Through Whom, O Lord, You always create, sanctify, fill with life, bless, and bestow upon us all good things.

My Sunday Missal: Through whom, O Lord, Thou dost ever create, hallow, fill with life, bless and bestow upon us all good things.

St. Andrew: Through whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and bestow upon us all these Thy gifts.

ICEL 1: (1967) Through him you give us all these gifts. You fill them with life and goodness, you bless them and make them holy.

ICEL 2: (2011) Through whom you continue to create all these good things, O Lord; you make them holy, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

 

[PacoG]

Tough to say for some of the prayers. More like 50 years ago, no one was really concerned with the wording of any translations because the Mass was said in Latin. The English in their missals was merely a guide. But it did differ from missal to missal.

For example:

Before the Minor Elevation:

Interlinear:* Per quem hæc omnia, Domine, semper bona creas*,
By Whom these all, Lord, always good things you create,

sanctificas, vivificas, benedicis, et præstas nobis.
You sanctify, You give life to, You bless, and you give to us

EC Missal: By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and bestow upon us all these good things. (also Fr. Lasance)

St Joseph: Through Whom, O Lord, You always create, sanctify, fill with life, bless, and bestow upon us all good things.

My Sunday Missal: Through whom, O Lord, Thou dost ever create, hallow, fill with life, bless and bestow upon us all good things.

St. Andrew: Through whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify, quicken, bless, and bestow upon us all these Thy gifts.

ICEL 1: (1967) Through him you give us all these gifts. You fill them with life and goodness, you bless them and make them holy.

ICEL 2: (2011) Through whom you continue to create all these good things, O Lord; you make them holy, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

What was the proposed 1996(?) ICEL wording?

In fact, weren’t the wordings of the 1996 proposed but rejected missal’s collects, prayers over the gifts and post-communion prayers an improvement over the 1969 wordings?

 

[ProVobis]

What was the proposed 1996(?) ICEL wording?

In fact, weren’t the wordings of the 1996 proposed but rejected missal’s collects, prayers over the gifts and post-communion prayers an improvement over the 1969 wordings?

I would guess there were several versions and the 2011 won out.

 

[PacoG]

I would guess there were several versions and the 2011 won out.

The CDWDS rejected the 1998 proposed missal outright.

 

[chelaluna55]

May I respectfully ask, does this revision signify the first steps to return the Mass back to Latin? I know that in other forums, there are more people that feel as I do, that the new words are awkward, confusing and distracting. I personally would prefer the Mass in Latin. It is a beautiful, deeply spiritual, meditative experience. I thought that when the Mass was in Latin, it delineated the Mass as a completely different experience from our everyday life. It was not supposed to be entertaining or conform to popular social standards. It was and should be unlike any other experience in our lives.

 

[ProVobis]

May I respectfully ask, does this revision signify the first steps to return the Mass back to Latin?

It is a very small step if at all. The percentage of English Masses celebrated throughout the Latin Rite is very small, compared with Spanish Masses, for example. Replacing at least a small amount of vernacular with the Latin is something I hear the Pope wants to have happen but it will require everyone’s cooperation in order to accomplish this.

I share your sentiments, though.

 

[chelaluna55]

I love the “Agnus Dei” in Latin. We’ve done that at a few Masses. Beautiful prayer.