Are the words to the English Mass changing?
The following article is updated from its first publication in the November 2009 edition of the Diocese of San Jose newspaper, The Valley Catholic.
The short answer is yes…but not for some time.
Since 2000, the English-speaking bishops of the world have been preparing a new translation of the Mass. This is because Pope John Paul II revised the Mass that year, adding some new texts, modifying some instructions, and changing some of the prayers.
Overall, however, the Pope did not make many significant changes to the Mass. So why then are the words changing? Like most documents of the Church, this revised Mass—the third version since Vatican II—was written in Latin. The following year, in a document called Liturgiam Authenticam, the Church issued new guidelines on translating prayer texts from Latin into other languages. This document called for a new way of translating, which emphasized retaining the style, structure, and words of the original Latin, a translation principle called “formal equivalency.” Previously, the Church used the principle of “dynamic equivalency,” which emphasized translating the meaning of the original text rather than its specific words. Because of Liturgiam Authenticam, every language group had to develop new translations of the Mass.
The English translation process is nearing its end, and the latest estimate for when the United States might begin using this new translation is December of 2011.
New words, closer connections
The revised English texts will reflect the style of the Latin texts. Some elements of this style include:
- conciseness
- more noble tone
- concrete images
- repetition
- and rhythmic highlighting of significant words.
We’ll also hear a heightened way of speaking that includes more biblical references. For example, instead of saying, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,” the new translation will be, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” This more closely connects to Luke 7:6-7.
The new translation will be used in all English-speaking countries, showing the unity of the Church throughout the world. It will also unite English speakers more closely to those who pray in other languages, since all translations will correspond to the Latin. For example, the new response to “The Lord be with you” will be, “And with your spirit.” In Spanish, we say, “Y con tu espíritu.”
A final vote and recognition
Over the last five years, the United States bishops have been deliberating and voting on sections of the translation. In 2006, they approved the first section, called the Order of Mass, which contains the texts that never change Sunday to Sunday. They sent that section to the Vatican, which gave its approval, called recognitio, in 2008. The next sections the bishops would discuss included the prayers for each Sunday, feast day, saint, and season. In November 2009, the United States bishops voted and approved the last of these prayers and sent it, along with the other ten sections they have already approved, to the Vatican. Now the Vatican will decide whether or not to give the entire translation its recognitio. Once it does, the US bishops will call for a year of preparation before we have permission and are required to use the new English translation at Mass. Go online to the US bishops’ Roman Missal Web site to see the texts of the Order of Mass and for other excellent resources. Remember these texts are for study only and are not to be used at Mass yet.
An opportunity to renew our practice
Let us remember that the Mass is not made up of words alone. The “language” of the Mass includes silence, gestures, music, art, and stillness. It involves proclaiming the Gospel not only in words but also in the way we treat one another, before, during, and after Mass. This is an opportunity for us to renew every aspect of the Mass and to reflect on how we live out its meaning in our daily lives. In preparation for these translation changes, pay closer attention to the words we use at Mass now. Reflect on them throughout the week. What do they mean for you? How do you live them out in your daily interactions with others?
How is your parish or community preparing for these new words to the Mass? Share your thoughts by clicking the “comments” link at the top right of this article.
When I went to RE Congress in Anaheim CA in March, I attended an excellent session with Fr. Paul Turner on the upcoming changes to the Roman Missal in English. I also purchased his 8 session series to update parishioners on the changes- not only the what, but the why.
I also loved the comment from Fr. Richard Fragomeni- that he hopes that the people of God are not only taught the ‘what and why’ but that a ‘mystagogical experience’ takes place in the hearts of the people.
That’s my goal and I’ve been carefully studying the changes so I can present this in a good format starting in the Fall of 2010.