Information on the New Translation of Roman Missal
The Arundel & Brighton Roman Missal Working Group has has now finished its work on the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal. There are, however, still talks, resources and information available, listed below, which will be of interest.
The translation of the Roman Missal came into mandatory use on the first weekend of Advent 2011 - 26/27 November.
* Listen to Bishop Kieran's talk on the New Translation here
* Download Fr Paul Turner's talk on the New Translation here
* Download Canon Alan Griffiths presentation on the New Translation here
* For resources and order form from the Diocesan Bookshop click here
More information can be found on the following websites:
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has launched a new website dedicated to the New Translation of the Roman Missal www.missal.org.uk
www.nccbuscc.org/romanmissal/ - This is the website of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America. This site contains a study text for the common parts of the Mass and Eucharistic Prayers 1-4. Please be aware there may be some minor differences in the rubrics for UK.
www.becomeonebodyonespiritinchrist.org/ - Contains the information on the new Catechetical DVD 'Become One Body One Spirit in Christ' which is now available there or from the Diocesan Bookshop here.
www.icelweb.org/ - This is the website of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy which was responsible for leading the translation work.
Frequently Asked Questions with their Replies:
Q. What opportunities does the new translation of the Missal offer the Church?
A. Implementing the new translation of the Missal will give the Church an opportunity to take a fresh look at its liturgical practice and to renew its celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, which is the "source and summit" of Christian life (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium], no. 11). The faithful, encountering the Liturgy anew in the new text, can deepen their sharing in Christ's sacrifice, offering their lives to the Father as they worship "in Spirit and in truth" (Jn 4:23). This renewal will be carried through to the work of the Diocese in its preparation for its Golden Jubilee in 2015 and as part of the Year of Faith 2012-2013.
Q. Do these changes mean that the old translation was not valid and orthodox?
A. The current translation was approved by the Conferences of bishops and confirmed by the Holy See. It was always intended that a new translation would be prepared but until the new text becomes effective, it remains the valid ordinary English language form of the Liturgy in the Roman Rite. The revised translation attempts to address some inadequacies in the present translation by introducing a more elevated style of language and by retaining many poetic texts and scriptural allusions. The current translation fostered the faith of two generations of Catholics and retains a valid place in church history.
Q. If my parish likes the old translation better, can we continue using that one?
A. Bishop Kieran together with the other Bishops of England and Wales have established a date for first use and a date for mandatory use. No parish may continue to use the current translation after the mandatory use date (27th November 2011). Parishes will need to use the period before the mandatory use date to help parishioners renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the revised translation. For that reason an Introductory Missal which contains the Order of Mass should be used from the first weekend in September (3rd/4th). This is currently available to order from the Diocesan Bookshop. The complete Missal will be available from October but can be pre-ordered now from the Diocesan Bookshop and its use is mandated from the First Sunday of Advent, 27th November 2011.
Q. What's new or different about the revised translation?
A. The style of the translation of the Third Edition is different. In accord with the rules for translation established by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the style of the original Latin texts more closely, including concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm. The English used in the Mass texts is more formal and dignified in style. Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images.
In addition, the Third Edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints such as Padre Pio, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (or instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.
Q. Why is there a need for a new translation?
A. Pope John Paul II issued the third edition of the Missale Romanum (the Latin Text of the Roman Missal) during the Jubilee Year in 2000. This new edition included many new texts requiring translation. In addition, it was always envisaged that there would be a new translation of the Latin text as the old translation was done hurriedly 40 years ago resulting in some poor translation. There was also an insistence from the Vatican that any new translation adopt more formal and literal translations of the original Latin texts. It will provide an opportunity to reflect ever more deeply on the Eucharistic celebration that lies at the heart of the Church's life.
Q. What does this mean?
A. Importantly the structure of the celebration of the Mass does not change, the hymns we currently sing will not change, and there are currently no changes that affect the readings proclaimed at Mass. The prayers and responses we use at Mass will be changing (to some degree) from what we have been using for the past 40 years. The change is to help bring out the deep scriptural imagery and meaning found in the Latin original. Sometime in the still unknown future the revised Roman Missal will be printed and available for sale in England and Wales and on a date yet to be established by the all parishes and dioceses will will begin to use the revised Mass texts.
Q. What changes will we be seeing?
A. For the people, changes to: the greeting "The Lord be with you" we soon will respond "and with your spirit". The Gloria text is modified, the Holy, Holy and Mystery of Faith texts and some other texts of the people are changing. For the priest: the structure and language of all the Mass prayers change. We will hear more scripture in the prayers used at Mass, the language is heightened to reflect in a different way the mystery we celebrate.
