The New Translation of the Roman Missal - Questions and Answers

This edition of the Roman Missal was published in 2002 by Blessed Pope John Paul II who gave instructions that it should be translated for use throughout the Church.

While no changes have been made to the celebration of Mass itself, texts approved by the Holy See during the last thirty five years have been added, for example, the Prayers for the Saints canonized by Blessed John Paul II.

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Benefits of the new translation n the Church there are several ancient liturgical rites, East and West, each with their own hallowed character and style.

This diversity of custom and tradition shows that the unity of the faith can be expressed in a diversity of practice. Each Rite, therefore, has the duty to preserve its own heritage. Every effort has been made to preserve in translation the traditional character and style of the Roman Rite.

A new translation o provide guidelines for the work of translation, the Holy See published an Instruction entitled Liturgiam authenticam. The application of the principles in this document has brought about a style of liturgical language which is different from that to which we have been accustomed. The new text is more formal and less like the everyday speech we use in our homes, workplaces and schools.

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The translators have produced a text which has dignity, beauty and doctrinal precision in a style suitable for Divine Worship. It has been approved by the Bishops of almost all the English-speaking countries in the world.

Both those who proclaim the texts and those who listen to them will have to work at getting used to them, but the effort needed will help bring about a deeper understanding of the wonderful things God has done for us, above all in sending his Son.

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The Holy Father peaking to encourage this new translation, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his sympathy for those who may “find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly forty years of continuous use of the previous translation”.

The Holy Father, therefore, has asked that the new translation “be introduced with due sensitivity”.

Pope Benedict added that careful preparation and catechesis would ensure that “any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted and a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion will occur all over the English-speaking world”.

The faith content of the prayers is more exact as a result of the carefully crafted language and the richer vocabulary of the new translation.

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Starting the First Sunday of Advent 2011 he Church, not only in Britain but throughout the whole English-speaking world, is due to begin using a new translation of the Latin Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent 2011.

The Biblical character of the new translation aint Paul tells us that we do not know how to pray but the Spirit teaches us. The same Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures speaks to us through the prayers and readings in the celebration of the liturgy. For this reason the Fathers of the Church often spoke of the two sources from which the Christian community is nourished, the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist. The new translation ensures that the echo of the Biblical sources found in some of the prayers is clearly heard and recognisable. The following are only a few examples.

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The priest, holding the sacred host, now says “Behold the Lamb of God” a direct reference to the words of Saint John the Baptist.

The previous text “This is the Lamb of God” is restrictive in its meaning whereas the word “Behold” is both immediate and timeless. It was the role of John the Baptist to point out the Lord’s Anointed when He came, and John continues his mission until the Lord comes again at the end of time.

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The words of the Centurion “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof ” have been restored in the new translation. At this most sacred moment of Communion the Church puts on our lips, not the words of a great saint or mystic but those of a pagan soldier who showed great faith and trust in the Lord and took that vital first step of inviting him into his life.

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The biblical resonance in the people’s response that in recent years has been worded “And also with you” has been restored in accord with the directives in the Instruction on Liturgical Translations: “expressions that belong to the heritage of the whole or of a great part of the ancient Church, are to be respected by a translation that is as literal as possible, as for example the words of the people’s response Et cum spiritu tuo.” (n.56)

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This meant that the transition from the peoples response “It is right and just” to the first words of the Preface “It is truly right and just” was lost. For over 1500 years the priest began the Eucharistic Prayer by affirming the words of the people so that it could be said that this great prayer began with the words of the people and ended with their acclamation Amen. The new translation has restored the ancient original form.

Roman Missal Conclusion t now remains for every individual to read the new texts not only carefully but prayerfully.

No translation is ever perfect. Any limitations that might be found in the present text will not diminish the fact that this is a moment of grace for the Church which aims to enrich the liturgical life of God’s faithful people in the English speaking world.

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The liturgical character of the new translation n the Liturgy, prayer is normally addressed to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the first translation of the Roman Missal an attempt was made to underline this character of liturgical prayer. Consequently the Latin word for God, Deus, was frequently and unnecessarily rendered as “Father”. The original meaning has been restored.

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In order to emphasise that the Eucharist prayer is addressed to the Father and to underline that this prayer begins with the Preface and not after the Sanctus, the earlier translation began with the word Father.

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Another biblical echo has been restored to the opening of the third Eucharistic Prayer.

The phrase “from East to West ...” has been changed to resonate with the biblical text in the Book of the Prophet Malachi “from the rising of the sun to its setting ...”.

For a fuller examination of the new translation, read CTS booklets: • Companion to the Order of Mass - CTS, (LT01) and • Understanding the Roman Missal - The New Translation - CTS, (LT02)

Visit: www.cts-online.org.uk www.ctscatholiccompass.org A wide range of inexpensive publications is available from CTS to help nurture your faith and keep you informed about a wide range of issues. If you would like to receive further information please contact us: CTS, 40-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY Or visit www.cts-online.org.uk Tel: 020 7640 0042 Fax: 020 7640 0046

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All rights reserved. © 2011 Incorporated Catholic Truth Society. Cover image © Lorenzo Lees. All other images from the ‘Psautier d’Ingeburg de Danemark’, c.1210 (vellum) by French School, (13th century) Musée Condé, Chantilly, France/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library.

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Understanding the changes

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