| |
The Roman Missal
(Third Edition)
From the Pastor
Some changes are coming in the English language mass
The Mass itself remains unchanged. The English version of the Roman Missal has received a new translation.
Some familiar phrases and prayers have been given a new form.
These changes go into effect on Thanksgiving weekend, November 26/27. (Sung versions will be introduced in November.)
Sometime this Fall, we will be sending to all parishioners a pamphlet that will explain the reasons for the changes. Below are some helpful links to the catecheses on the Roman Missal.
Fr. Boehning
August 15, 2011
Why a new Roman Missal?
What is the Roman Missal? The Roman Missal is the book containing the prayers of the Mass: the prayers prayed by the celebrant and deacon as well as the prayers prayed by the people. Formerly called the Sacramentary, it is used by the priest at the altar and the chair and by the deacon in celebrations which he leads. In the Roman Missal may be found:
- the Order of Mass, those prayers which, apart from some options such as the choice among several Eucharistic Prayers or among the three forms of the Penitential Rite, remain the same in every Mass;
- the Proper of the Seasons, the prayers proper to (hence the name) the Seasons of the Lord in the Liturgical Year, for example the prayers for the Season of Lent, the Sacred Triduum, the Easter Season, Ordinary Time, etc.;
- the Proper of the Saints, the prayers for the celebrations of the Blessed Mother, the saints and certain events commemorated by the Church, arranged by date according to the liturgical calendar;
- the Common of the Saints, prayers which may be used for a particular category of celebration, for example, for the celebration of an apostle or martyr, or the anniversary of a dedication of a church. The existence of Commons prevents having to repeat a given prayer text many times in different celebrations which belong to the same category;
- Ritual Masses, prayers used for the celebration of the sacraments when they are joined with Mass, for example, for the baptism of infants, or for marriage;
- a wide variety of prayers which may be used in Masses for special needs or occasions, for example, in Masses of thanksgiving; in Masses for peace and justice; in times of war, for refugees and exiles, and many more.
- sung settings for the Eucharistic Prayers.
Why a new Roman Missal? There are two principal answers to this question: Benefiting from Experience The Latin edition of the Roman Missal was published in 1970 and a second, slightly revised edition in 1985. The preparation for the 1985 edition involved world-wide consultation with bishops, diocesan personnel and local parishes in order that the work of revision might benefit from experience with the1970 edition. In the end, the 1985 revision was much less extensive than
originally planned, largely because it became clear that the revision required was more complex than originally anticipated and a great deal of work needed to be done on translation before a satisfactory comprehensive version could be completed. The preparation of the new Roman Missal has benefited both from the work done in preparation for the 1985 edition, and the experience of the almost twenty years since that edition was promulgated.
New Saints in the Liturgical Calendar: Another reason which motivates the preparation of the new Roman Missal involves changes in the liturgical calendar. Since the first revised Roman Calendar was issued in 1970 and updated in 1985 second edition of the Missal, many new saints have been added to the liturgical calendar. While some of the prayers for the celebrations of these saints can be taken from the Commons, all have at least an Opening Prayer which is reflective of their life and call to holiness. The prayers for these saints, having been presented in Latin, must also be translated into the vernacular and those on the Universal Calendar incorporated into the new Roman Missal. This whole process enriches the Church with many new models in the faith, but it also takes time and effort, and is one of the reasons that the preparation of the Missal has taken so long.
(Source: Archdiocese of New York)
What’s New in the People’s Parts?
Why the People’s Parts? One of the most significant and far-reaching reforms enacted by the Second Vatican Council was the emphasis placed on the full, conscious, active participation of the people in the celebration of Mass, born of renewed awareness that in Baptism all receive a share in the priesthood of Christ. While differing from the priesthood of the ordained, the priesthood of the baptized makes it possible, indeed both a right and a duty, for the one who has been baptized to participate in the worship of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.
The Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, tells us that the Mass lies at the heart of that worship, and is an action of Christ the priest and his body the Church. Hence we who have been baptized are called to participate in the Mass. Our participation is internal and external. Along with attentive listening to God’s Word; joining heart and mind with the prayers of the priest; offering to the Father Christ and ourselves in union with Christ; taking part in the common song and postures of the gathered assembly, the People’s Parts of the Mass are a vital aspect of the full, conscious and active participation to which the baptized are called.
What are the People’s Parts of the Mass? The Mass is ordered in such a way that there are parts that are designated to be prayed by the people, just as there are parts to be prayed or proclaimed by the priest-celebrant, the deacon and others. Specifically, the People’s parts include the responses to the priest, the deacon,
and other ministers at various points throughout the Mass: to the readings in the Liturgy of the Word, to certain acclamations such as the Alleluia before the Gospel and the Prayer of the Faithful in which our response in prayer for the
whole Church constitutes a special exercise of our baptismal priesthood.
The Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen proclaim our thanksgiving and praise in the Eucharistic Prayer. The Creed is the affirmation of faith prayed by all present following the readings and the homily. The Our Father and the doxology which concludes its additional prayer for deliverance from evil also are specifically People’s Parts of the Mass, as is the response to the Lamb of God. The Lord, I am not worthy, the act of humility before the reception of Holy Communion is a prayer that belongs to all the faithful as is our response to the invocations the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ at the reception of Communion.
What’s New in the People’s Parts of the Mass? The parts of the Mass prayed by the people remain essentially the same in structure, apart from the option of using the Apostle’s Creed in place of the Nicene Creed, particularly during the Lenten and Easter Seasons. Some changes have been made in the language used in the responses, acclamations and prayers of the people. It is important to realize, however, that such changes have been kept to a minimum and made only when necessary to insure that the translation follows the Latin original more closely than the former version. While these changes will require an initial adjustment and close attention to the new texts, past experience has shown that people quickly grow used to new language and adapt readily to it. Subsequent bulletin inserts will address changes to specific texts in greater detail.
(Source: Archdiocese of New York)
Why a new translation?
Initial Translations of the Liturgy Into the Vernacular: The Second Vatican Council allowed bishops to request the use of the vernacular in their regional territories. Accordingly, many conferences of bishop petitioned the Holy See for permission to use their own regional languages in liturgical celebrations. Once permissions were granted, efforts were made in many parts of the world to translate the Latin texts into the vernacular language of a given country. While the work was undertaken responsibly, there was also great pressure on those translating to finish them quickly so that they could undergo the necessary reviews and be put into the hands of the people.
Quality of Initial Translations: Because of the haste with which some of these translations were made, they did not always capture the proper nuances of the Latin original. In addition, there were some differences of opinion among translators about whether the translations should give the “sense” of the Latin, while using terms more familiar in the vernacular, or should adhere very closely to the Latin. As a result, the initial translations were of varying quality. Some were excellent, however, there were instances in which the Latin original was inaccurately translated, or translated in a manner that was not clear; other translations offered vernacular versions that were translated accurately, but in a style that was not worthy of the language of the Sacred Liturgy. The recognition of the shortcomings of the initial translations developed slowly. As the Holy See and Bishops’ Conferences with their scholars and profesional assistants examined these translations more closely, it became evident that the process of translation had to be reviewed and that, in light of past experience, clearer guidelines for translating had to be developed.
New Norms for the Translation of Liturgical Texts: In May of 2001, the Holy See issued a new Instruction on the vernacular translation of the liturgy called Liturgiam Authenticam, whose title is taken from the first two words of the Instruction in Latin. this documents is further known as The Fifth Instruction for the Right Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council.
The fact that Liturgiam Authenticam is the fifth Instruction on the correct implementation of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council makes it clear that this is one among a number of Instructions issued by the Holy See to guide the Church, her bishops and people, as they seek to carry out the Council’s mandates.
Liturgiam Authenticam was initiated as the result of an initiative by Pope John Paul II on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The Holy Father saw this milestone as an opportune moment to take stock of the liturgical reform after twenty-five years of experience and to make adjustments where necessary. Part of that “stock-taking” was an examination of translations of the liturgy to insure that they convey in the fullest posible sense the meaning of the original Latin texts. In Liturgiam Authenticum the efforts are directed toward insuring that translations made from Latin into the vernacular are doctrinally correct, exactly worded, free from the influence of particular ideologies, and marked by qualities which will effectively and worthily transmit the sacred mysteries of salvation and the faith of the Church into prayer, thus giving worthy worship to God the Most High. cf. [LA n.3]
Quality of Language: In addition to concerns motivated by doctrinal accuracy, the Church is also calling for the use of language which, while safeguarding accuracy, is beautiful, majestic and compelling, reflecting the best quality of language a given vernacular can provide.
(Source: Archdiocese of New York)
Helpful Links from the Archdiocese of New York
Greetings and Beginnings
And With Your Spirit
Acts of Penitence
The Gloria
Acclamations from the Liturgy of the Word
Scripture-Seasons and the Readings at Mass
The Homily
The Nicene Creed
The Apostles Creed
The Prayer of the Faithful
The Preparation of the Gifts
The Prayers of Deposition
May the Lord Accept at Your Hands
The Eucharistic Prayer Part One - Action of Christ and Church
The Eucharistic Prayer Part Two - The Preface
The Eucharistic Prayer Part Three - The Holy Holy Holy
Eucharistic Prayer-Epiclesis-Institution Narrative–Consecration
Eucharistic Prayer-Memorial Acclamation-Anamnesis and Offering
Eucharistic Prayer-Petition and Doxology
Eucharistic Prayer One-The Roman Canon-Structure and Meaning
The Other Eucharistic Prayers
Taught by Our Saviors Command-The Lords Prayer
The Exchange of Peace
The Breaking of the Bread and the Lamb of God
The Orations and the Prayers You Never Hear
Behold the Lamb of God
The Reception of Communion
Announcements - Blessings and Prayers Over the People
The Great Dismissal
Links from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
CELEBRATING THE LORD’S DAY
EMBRACING CHANGE IN THE LITURGY
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
GUIDE TO UNFAMILIAR WORDS IN THE MASS
HEARING THE WORD OF GOD AT MASS
LITURGICAL PARTICIPATION
LITURGY AND LIFE
MINISTRIES AND ROLES AT MASS
PARTS OF THE MASS
POSTURES AND GESTURES AT MASS
PRAYING WITH BODY, MIND, AND VOICE
THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION AT MASS
SCRIPTURE AND THE MASS
TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL
THE WORSHIPING ASSEMBLY AT MASS |
|
