Pastor’s Blog

Welcoming the New Roman Missal

By this time, I believe most of us have already heard about the coming up of the third edition of the New Roman Missal. The first workshop organized for a group of those called leaders of our Church community has taken place and we are looking to a second session at the beginning of March. The Roman Missal (Missale Romanum in Latin) which we still refer to as Sacramentary, is a book that contains prayers used by the Priest and responses by the faithful during the celebration of the Holy Mass. This book has been revised. Some changes  to the texts are small, some are big and and will be noticeable.

In hearing about changes, many have expressed concerns and asked questions wondering why changes are being made now. Well, to those who are concerned by the changes, we want to give some clarification. First, it’s not question of going back to Latin Mass because the question regarding Mass in vernacular was resolved with Second Vatican Council.  There is no doubt that Catholic faithful throughout the world have experienced the benefits of the Mass being celebrated in their local languages. We are surely going forward not backward. Secondly, the way we celebrate the Mass and the Mass structure will remain the same.

Why the changes? Over centuries, the original Mass texts have been kept in Latin. Following up with the resolution of the Second Vatican Council allowing , the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the sacraments gave its approval to Catholic churches in different countries to translate the Roman Missal in their own local languages. So, the first translation in English came up in 1974 and the second arrived in 1985. The third edition new translation in the making is to be implemented this coming Advent 2011.       The reason behind the new translation is twofold. First, the words of the Mass reflect the words from scriptures. Therefore the new translation of the Roman Missal tries to bring to light those scripture references. Second, since the texts of the Mass are kept in Latin, the new translation will try to be as close to Latin as possible in order to preserve the depth, beauty and content of the words.

In conclusion let us say that the new English translation brings us an opportunity to renew ourselves and get a better understanding of the liturgy we celebrate. Let’s welcome these changes with enthusiasm and pray that, when implemented, they will help enhance our way of praying and worshiping God.