Week Four of the New Translation of the Mass - So How Are We Doing?

By Randy Sly
12/18/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

A Panel of Experts Weigh in Regarding Life on This Side of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal

We've heard about the new translation for a long time. Over the last several months, training classes, meetings, instructional Masses and other venues have been used to ready English-speaking Catholics for the New Translation. Now on the other side of this introduction, four experts pause and reflect on what the Church has just experienced and will continue to experience.The new translation has definitely re-focused the person in the pew with the Eucharistic mystery, even beyond the parts that we say. These are not just "new words" that have been inserted. Our language will now join those those of other tongues around the globe in sharing one liturgy and one theology expressed in the Mass.

These are not just 'new words' that have been inserted. Our language will now join those those of other tongues around the globe in sharing one liturgy and one theology expressed in the Mass.

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On Sunday, we'll celebrate Mass for the fourth week using the new translation. There was a lot of conjecture ahead of time and a lot of response after the historic launch of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal on November 27, 2011.

In talking with one priest in my diocese told me, "I am a big fan of the new translation and had been a champion of it for many months. But the first Sunday was probably the worst day of my priesthood!"

"I felt like a newly ordained priest celebrating my first Mass. Everything seemed new and foreign. I was glad to just get through it. Now, after many daily Masses and a few more Sundays, I am getting confortable with it.

My guess is that this may be a norm for most clergy.

Recently, I was able to participate in a roundtable discussion about the new translation with four experts in liturgy who each bring a unique and insightful perspective to the subject.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington D.C., is known nationally for his catechetical teaching ministry and dedication to Catholic education. He is the co-author with Mike Aquilina of the book, "The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition" published by Doubleday.

Father Daniel Barron, a priest of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, is the director of spiritual formation at John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego California and editor of "MagnifiKid" the weekly worship aid for children published by "Magnificat."

Dr. Edward Sri is Chancellor and Professor of Theology and Scripture at the Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado and founding leader, with Curtis Martin, of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). He is the author of the bestselling book, "A Biblical Walk Through the Mass" published by Ascension Press.

Mr. Matt Maher is a Grammy nominated and Dove Gospel Music association award-winning musician who has been writing music for the Church for more than a decade. His composition for the Litany of the Saints was part of the Papal vigil at the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto Canada.

During the discussion a lot of time was focused on the issues of adjustment - both by clergy and the laity. While the new translation has been viewed by some as a serious distraction from the Mass or - to those more upset, an major upheaval of the norm - this introductory time can also be viewed as an opportunity to re-visit a mystery with which we've all grown too familiar. For a lot Catholics, going to Mass may have been done on automatic pilot.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl explained, "But really, what this translation provides us is a time to reflect on what actually is happening on the Altar. What great mystery is unfolding on the Altar as the priests celebrate.

"And I think sometimes we can be maybe just so familiar or so used to, not that we take it for granted but we are just so comfortable with it that it helps to step back and say what is actually happening."

Having a similar experience with the new translation, Fr. Barron said, "For myself, I have been a Priest for 15 years; I find myself drawn more into prayer and contemplation in the midst of the Liturgy than ever before. I guess as a young priest you are focused on doing it right. But now, in this new edition of the Missal, the 'wanting to do it right' has also just increased my own awareness and my own intentionality in praying the Mass."

Matt Maher agreed, stating that the new liturgy had a real impact on him.

"I could not shake the very first statement of the presider saying, you know, 'The Lord be with you' and we said, 'And with your spirit.' I could not shake it. In fact, you know, an hour or so later when I walked out of Mass, my heart was still kind of burning.

"We live a very tumultuous time of change - societal change, cultural change. In those times, the church always has the wisdom to reaffirm what is true and important. And to simply engage in the language of the soul at a time where body and soul have been separated so much I think is a beautiful statement.

"So, for me it is those kinds of subtle changes that I look forward to seeing continue to kind of manifest themselves in the language of the praying church."

For Fr. Barron, one particular aspect of this introduction involved the effect it had on young people.

"At the University, I have been amazed that 18- and 19-year-old students are talking to one another about the Liturgy. They are asking the question, 'What do you think of the new addition of the Missal?' And I do not know what brilliant youth minister in the world could actually get young people talking about the Mass the way the Bishops and our Holy Father have invited us into this moment, and it is working."

The new translation has definitely re-focused the person in the pew with the ...

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1 - 10 of 15 Comments

Deborah Sbarra
1 year ago
I find the new changes distrubing, uninspiring, and too progressive. I refuse to attend masses that use the new world mass.....sounds too much like "new world order". It does not lift me up and the music is to pedistrian. I feel worse after mass than before I went. I will look for a church that follows tradtional mass. You can keep your changes...they don't work for me.
Br mel
1 year ago
2 Tim Chap 2 14:26

14 Remind people of these things and charge them before God* to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
16 Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,
17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth by saying that [the] resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his”; and, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.”
20 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use.
21 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord* with purity of heart.
23 Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels
24 A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant,
25 correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they may return to their senses out of the devil’s snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
Bob
1 year ago
Penny, your daughter is 100% right in her assessment. The changes do not invite deeper prayer or deepr understanding. They are off-putting. While I find them anything but "minor,"
I am otherwise totally in agreement with Karl. I continue to say the responses I always have, but loudly and boldly. May all of us who feel the same do likewise. And may we be blessed with priests and bishops who return to the language we have been using. Language that was beautiful in its simplicity, beautiful in its inclusiveness, and beautiful in bringing people closer to God. The Jesus I worship used a cup, a simple cup that was and is accessible to all, not just to many. Perhaps we will get a new pope soon. One with a brain that works.
Robert Burford
1 year ago
When the Mass changed from Latin to English over 40 years ago my father who was a convert to Catholocism made the comment that it lost some of Its " dignity". He was a man of simple faith. As a young person at the time I made transfer to the changes more easily. Father Robert Barron's comment in the video brought back my dad's observation at the time of the change. I can now appreciate the new changes as more dignified and more theologicaly acurate translation of the Latin, The young will accept the changes. Now I see more clearly why they were made and have a new respect for them. Yes I make mistakes in reverting to the older English translation and even though I am much older now I can still learn and more importantly appreciate the changes as richer in dignity and meaning.
ADAM HORDOS
1 year ago
mikem, there is an old proverb people who live in glass houses don"t through stones.It is well documented about the abuse throughout the world. But remember there are seven sacraments , Holy Orders is just one, Holy Matrimony is another one out of two catholic marriages are breaking up many after twenty five years. No wear in Church documents does it say which of the seven sacraments are the greatest.Judas was their when Jesus instituted the first Holy Mass, Judas made a choice. After one reads and studies the even Sacraments then study the ten commandments. Today i believe that the third and sixth are broken the most. However Jesus said, if you break one you break them all. Abortions and the abuse of the children will only stop when the Holy Father together with all the Bishops of the world go's to Fatima and fufil's her( the Blessed Mother's) request made in 1917. The other thing that must be done immediately is to put the Tabernacle back on the Alter where our Divine Lord should be. Take a hard look at what has transpired since 1917 and what should have before 1960 till now. It seems that there was an argument among Vatican authorities that we could not have withstood what was in that document.(THIRD SECRET). Well if someone had told me in that there was abuse going on in the church I would not have believed. Did we have to adjust, oh yes and much more. The stones have cried out. Godbless.
Karl
1 year ago
We live in a time of great change and the stress that often accompanies it. Our economy is in shambles; our society is becoming more selfish and sinful; and our elected officials seek easy solutions that will only prolong and worsen our problems. In that context, each Sunday I looked forward to attending Mass as a refuge from these worldly matters. Church was a place anchored in traditions where I could worship and think about how I was living my life, and whether I was faithful to God's teaching. Now, with the new translation, even Mass is a place of disruption and stress. Instead of thinking about the gospel and its message, I am expected to read a laminated cue card with changes that are so minor in nature they seem silly and unworthy of all the effort exerted to create them. Interestingly, our pastor praises the new translation as "a much more beautiful version of the Latin." Personally, I don't see that. What could be more beautiful than "one in being with the Father." Certainly not "consubstantial." My attorney wouldn't use that word in court, let alone a church! At my job, I lead change. When I see purpose and benefit in doing something differently, I help people realize those benefits and adopt new ways. I cannot say I've seen any benefit in the new translation. So, instead of holding my cue card, I will continue to quietely whipsper the Mass I've known and loved all my life (and which was approved by the church). Right now, it's the only way I can preserve my refuge.
Frank
1 year ago
The whole discussion is more than the event. One would think that there has never been a change before. Vatican II was a change, This is not much of anything except in the minds of some clergy and some congregants. The faith is not words, people, it is action. Over 50% of "Catholic faithful" in the US support or are ambivalent to tax funded abortion. "Catholic" politicians arrogantly challenge Catholic teaching (that "conscience thing"), the Irish and American episcopy tolerate child abuse and its coverup yet the English translation of Latin is the story!?! Folks, Catholic educators hardly ever teach Latin, they are more concerned with currying favor with politically correct politicians than with even heeding their own bishops (e.g. Notre Dame University). How are we doing? Poorly. Even the clergy is now seeking to distract us from the real issues by keeping this translation story alive in Catholic media. Unbelieveable and unacceptable!
abey
1 year ago
The present liturgy confines more with eastern Catholic & Christianity, for there is more faith seen there where as the belief in the west is fading away & is the general guidance & believed to be in the right direction.. The irony is that America being a Christian country instead of turning, like the Catholic Church does to the eastern form , have chosen Eastern Paganism - Hinduism & its philosophies in particular, under the leadership of Obama & his administration members through advisers of the likes of Hillary & Leon Panetta. The very beliefs that are abominations unto GOD, clearly understood from the O.T. apostasy of Israel. By so doing they have taken America into the "war zone" of GOD which He has kept for the last called "The terrible day of the Lord".. Obama does carry certain lucky charms of a Hindu monkey god, what the Bible in Daniel calls a strange god, a god of forces. It seems the lessons of ancient "Egypt" has not been learnt, the prize of unbelief. However the Church, the Catholic is moving the right way, guided by none else than its Master Himself-The Christ, who never lets His faithful down.
B
1 year ago
@ Penny: Your daughter said, do they think GOD cares what words we use or is it more important that we are here and worshiping? God cares that we are here and worshiping AND using the best language--limited as it is--to worship Him and only Him. Many of the sayings of Jesus were direct quotes from the Old Testament, that is, they were in accordance with the Scriptures. If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend Fr. Barron's Catholicism series. Last night we watched Episode 3, which focused on the Ineffable Mystery of God. There's a lot to take in, but I think you'll see why getting the language right is so important. What we believe affects how we worship. When you look at the people's parts of the Mass, very little has actually changed. Please be patient, and take the time to reflect on the changes--not just at Church, but at home as well. God bless.
martino nicola
1 year ago
The new translation gives opportunity to enter more into the mystery of salvation.
Mass is not " a prayer service"; the centre is not the assembly or the priest, or even our prayer. The centre is
the sacrifice of self-giving love of Jesus; the good sheperd gives his life for his sheep.The best participation is to join our sacrifices of love
to the sacrifice of Jesus .
If we participate in his sacrifice we surely will participate in his resurrection and new life.
If there is no "death" there will be no "resurrection".

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