Weekly messages from our Pastor

As many of you have heard by now, a new edition of the Roman Missal, the book of prayers, readings and rules for the celebration of the Mass, has been revised. On the First Sunday of Advent 2011, the third edition of the Missale Romanum will be issued and all of the English speaking countries of the world will be required to use the new translation. The third edition for the other languages of the world will soon follow. The Church is issuing the new translation for a number of reasons.

These include:

• Pope John Paul II canonized many saints long after the current edition was published. The third edition will include the specific Mass prayers for these feast days.
• A desire for a more formal and literal translation of the original Latin texts. In this way we are able to use the beauty of language to raise us up to God as we pray, worship and adore.
• An opportunity to reflect more deeply on the Mass.

Most of the changes affect the prayers proclaimed by the priest. The English used will be more formal and dignified and, in many cases, poetic. A number of the communal prayers will also change. For example, as we pray the creed together we will change we believe to I believe as this is a more literal translation of the Latin. In the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) we will pray: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts which is the correct translation of the Hebrew word sabaoth of the original prayer. We will answer the greetings of the Mass: The Lord be with you with the response: And with your Spirit. This is not only the translation of the Latin: Et cum spiritu tuo, but is also a way for us to remember that what happens at the Mass is the result of the workings of the Holy Spirit. There will be other translation changes as well, but the important thing to remember is that whatever words are used, these are not new prayers. All of the prayers, however they are translated, must reflect accurately the original prayers of the Church.

During a meeting for the priests of the Diocese we were given the opportunity to view some of the new prayers. They are really beautiful and should, if we really listen to them and pray with them, help us to raise our minds and hearts to God at Mass. This Sunday, Catechetical Sunday, we will begin inserting information in the bulletin pertaining to the new translation of the Roman Missal. It is my hope that by the First Sunday of Advent, 2011 we will not only be prepared for the new translation, but will also be looking forward to its implementation.

May God bless you.

Fr. John Murray, C.Ss.R.