Vatican OK's 1st Section of New Missal Translation

Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the congregation, explained "time [is allotted] for the pastoral preparation of priests, deacons and for appropriate catechesis of the lay faithful."

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Zenit) - The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments approved the first section of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

The U.S. episcopal conference reported today that it received the "recognitio" from the Holy See for the Order of the Mass, the main section of the missal.

The approval includes phrases such as "et cum spiritu tuo" (previously translated "and also with you") now to be rendered as "And with your spirit." In the Confiteor, the text "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault" has been added.

The Gloria's translation and structure is different, and the first line of the Sanctus now reads "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts."

The response of the people at the Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) is "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

This is the first of 12 sections of the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal.

The translations of each section of the Roman Missal are being prepared by the International Commission for English in the Liturgy. The commission submits the drafts to the 11 episcopal conferences of English-speaking countries. Once the bishops have given their OK, it falls to the Vatican to give final approval.

The Proper of Seasons, the second section, failed to get the approval of the U.S. bishops at their June assembly nor in a successive mail-in vote. They are set to reconsider this second section in November.

The Vatican congregation, in its letter granting approval for the Order of the Mass, pointed out that while the texts are binding, the approval "does not intend that these texts are to be put into use immediately."

Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the congregation, explained that in providing the approved text at this time, "time [is allotted] for the pastoral preparation of priests, deacons and for appropriate catechesis of the lay faithful. It will likewise facilitate the devising of musical settings for parts of the Mass."