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

12/18/2011

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Eucharistic mystery, even beyond the parts that we say. We have heard about all the changes for many months, but something happens when we actually participate. Dr. Sri used an example to support this idea.

"It reminds me of something I do each year," he stated. "I take a group of Pilgrims to Rome. And in anticipation of our trip to Rome, I will give the Pilgrims some readings about St. Peter's Basilica, I will give them some pictures to look at about St. Peter's Basilica, they will learn about the archeological history behind St. Peter's Basilica so they are studying it in the abstract.

"But all of that is nothing like actually walking into St. Peter's Basilica for the first time. That is my favorite thing to do is to watch the Pilgrims walk into this beautiful church and they are stunned, they are taken over by the beauty of this Basilica as they experience it for the first time.

"And then they begin asking many questions. Now that they're in it they say, 'Oh what does this mean?' 'What does it say up there, Dr. Sri?' 'What's - who's this saint over here?'

"And I think that's the experience many lay Catholics are going to be having here in the next several weeks and months as we experience the new translation for the first time."

In thinking of the young, one concern raised by many involved the impact the new Mass would have on younger children. As editor of "Magnifikid," Fr. Barron was able to add some interesting insight.

"As far as children go, we know that they are the least resistant to change among us. And they are the quickest to learn new things. So, for children, I do not really expect there to be much of an issue.

"I'm sure they are going to get these responses down in a matter of weeks and with joy. It is an occasion to teach them and they are hungry to understand their traditions that are so much larger than them and their family and their parish...

"To realize that they are united with Christians throughout the entire world, praying the same prayers in words that are very similar in each language from coast to coast and from the rising of the sun to its setting."

All of the presenters concurred that the Third Edition of the Roman Missal will have a great impact on the new evangelization - which not only involves bringing people into the Church but bringing Catholic to a deeper and more profound embrace of the faith.

"And when we talk about the new evangelization going on in the church," Cardinal Wuerl explained, "the introduction of this new translation is tailor-made to helping people get a deeper grasp of their faith so that confident in that faith, they begin to share it."

As Dr. Sri stated, "This is a great opportunity to teach not just about the new translation but about all of the beautiful prayers, from the opening sign of the cross to the closing thanks be to God, to the Gloria, to the Holy, Holy what does - what are we really saying and doing in the liturgy?

"What's the meaning, the significance of all these beautiful prayers? That's certainly something that I do in the Biblical Walk Through the Mass book walking through all the prayers in light of the Biblical background.

"So we should know what we should be thinking about, praying about in these moments of the Mass. And I also agree with that Cardinal Wuerl had said about this time of the new evangelization, which is really being emphasized by our Holy Father."

"I'm excited about the generations to come," Matt Maher said. "I think, echoing what everyone has said as part of this panel, the re-evangelization primarily of the faithful of the church that, you know, there is this treasure in the Mass, particularly just in the language of it that is kind of been forgotten."

Several months from now the spotlight will no longer be on this subject. "And with your spirit" will become our normal response, "consubstantial" along with other terms will sound familiar.

Fortunately for the Church, the Third Edition of the Missal does not come with a sign attached, "For a Limited Time Only." This is not a trial liturgy, but the expression of worship from this point on for Catholics in the English-speaking world.

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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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.
- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: new translation, third edition, Roman Missal, english

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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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