Later this year a new translation of the Mass will be used throughout the English-speaking world. Over 700 Bishops have been involved in the process of the new translation in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, and the USA. Following their Spring meeting, the Bishops of England and Wales have written a National Pastoral Letter on the new translation of the Roman Missal, to be read out in parishes on the sixth Sunday of Easter, 29 May 2011.
The main points are:
“At the beginning of Advent this year, when we gather for Mass, we shall be using the new translation of the Roman Missal. This will be the case not only in England and Wales but throughout the English-speaking world.”
“The changes in the language now to be introduced, however, do not represent change for change’s sake, but are being made in order to ensure greater fidelity to the liturgical tradition of the Church.”
“So what does this new translation offer us? First of all, there is a fuller expression of the content of the original texts. Then, there is a closer connection with the Sacred Scriptures which inspire so much of our liturgy. Also, there is a recovery of a vocabulary that enriches our understanding of the mystery we celebrate.”
“The publication of the new translation of the Missal is a special moment of grace in the English-speaking world. It offers an opportunity to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the mystery we celebrate each week.”
“At the end of his visit last year, Pope Benedict asked us to use this moment for genuine renewal. He said: ‘I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist, and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration.’”
“The Liturgy of the Eucharist is a gift, something we receive from God through the Church. Saint Paul spoke of it as coming from the Lord Jesus himself.”
“Like Saint Paul, therefore, let us receive it with reverence and care, knowing that we are being faithful to what the Lord himself passed on to the Apostles, which has been handed on since, in faithfulness, by their successors to every generation of the Church. Let us welcome the new translation of the Roman Missal as a sign of our unity and a powerful instrument of God’s grace in our lives.”
Bishop Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds and chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Christian Life and Worship said:
“Over the last few years the bishops have studied and voted upon the text of the Roman Missal. Now that the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome has finalised the text we are able to share this new translation with our dioceses. In our pastoral letter we acknowledge the familiarity of our current texts, identify some of the aspects of the translation which we hope will deepen people’s faith and invite parishes and other communities to learn about the text and deepen their appreciation of the Mass.”
Martin Foster, Acting Secretary, Bishops’ Conference Department for Christian Life and Worship, said:
“The introduction of the new translation will be a significant moment in the life of the Church in our countries and the pastoral letter is a sign of the bishops’ desire that the parishes, communities and schools take the opportunity to learn about the translation, increase their understanding of the Mass and renew their liturgical practice.”
The Roman Missal in its new English translation will be published by the Catholic Truth Society in Autumn 2011. The full text of the Missal will be used at Mass from the First Sunday of Advent this year. The full use of the published Missal from the beginning of Advent will be preceded by the use of just the Order of Mass in the new translation from September 2011. For these three months from September to November, the Church in England and Wales will become familiar with those parts of the translations which are prayed at every Mass, and this will be accompanied by catechesis on the Mass and the new translation.
Photos of the new Missal:
flickr.com/photos/catholicism
Liturgy Office information about the new translation of the Roman Missal:
missal.org.uk
Catholic Truth Society information about the new translation of the Roman Missal:
missal2011.org
