Why aren't all liturgical translations the same?

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Gem

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I asked this question on another thread concerning this part of the Mass, but I didn’t get an answer. So let’s try again.

Right before communion, we say “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” I understand why we say this and and that it paraphrases the centurion in the Gospel.

However, why did the quotation of the centurion change to a paraphrase between the Tridentine liturgy to the present one? We used to say the actual quote from Scripture saying, “I am not worthy to receive you into my home”, but now we say “I am not worthy to receive you”. I know that in the present Spanish liturgy the complete quote has been retained while in English it has not. Don’t all translations of the Roman rite used throughout the world have to agree?

I think it matters to us as American Catholics, because to omit the phrase “into my home” leaves us saying, “I am not worthy to receive you.” Period. And although it IS true, I think it contributes to the American perception that Catholics are too focused on people’s guilt, and it gives one more small reason for people to feel pushed away from the Church.

Although you could easily argue that Americans need to confront their guilt more, not less, this change in the liturgy just seems to be an avoidable “stumbling block” to me.

Any enlightenment you could give me would be appreciated.
 
It has never been changed in the original Latin. If you go to a “post-Vatican II” Mass in Latin, the same phrase is used.

I cannot give you a reason why the English translators of the Mass did not translate the Latin correctly back in the heady days after Vatican II, when everyone seemed to fall off their rocker…

The good news is – there is a new ICEL (International Committee on English in the Liturgy) translation that will hopefully be finalized in the fall and implemented within the next couple of years that does translate the Latin correctly – the draft version of this new translation of the Order of Mass reads:
Priest - “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are they who have been called to the supper of the Lamb.”

People - “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”
This is pretty close to an exact translation from the Latin Order of Mass, and a vast improvement in my opinion.

+veritas+
 
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