Changes in prayers of the Mass

Q: I've heard that the prayers of the Mass are going to be changing. Is this true? If so, why?

A: Yes, you have heard correctly. The third edition of the Roman Missal, which is the primary book used at Mass and which contains the prayers and responses of the Mass, is currently undergoing translation into English. The First edition of the Missal that we use today was released in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. In 1975, the second edition was released with some very minor changes. In translating the first and second editions of the Missal, it was accepted that the translators would render the text into every-day English through paraphrase. While this generally made Mass easy to understand, it also took out much of the poetry and beauty of the text. Bishop Arthur Serratelli, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, said it very well when he said, "Liturgical language should border on the poetic. Prose bumps along the ground. Poetry soars to the heavens. And our Liturgy is already a sharing of the Liturgy in heaven."

So, as the Holy See was preparing the third edition of the Roman Missal, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments released the document Liturgiam Authenticam. This document changed translations requirements, making it so that translations must reflect, in as much exactness as possible, the original Latin text. Paragraph 20 of Liturgiam Authenticam gives an excellent example of the point of the document when it says, "While it is permissible to arrange the wording, the syntax and the style in such a way as to prepare a flowing vernacular text suitable to the rhythm of popular prayer, the original text, insofar as possible, must be translated integrally and in the most exact manner, without omissions or additions in terms of their content, and without paraphrases or glosses."

In light of these new translation standards, when the third edition of the Missal was released in 2002, the International Committee on English in the Liturgy began working on a more exact translation, so that the whole Church may pray together as one, no matter what their language. Parts of this translation have been approved by both the bishops and the Holy See, but the process is not complete yet. According to the predictions of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the earliest we could see the new missal being used is in 2011, but it also could take longer than expected to complete and approve the translations.

Many of you have asked for copies of the new translations. While I'm not at liberty to divulge that information, I can give you a taste:

1970 Translation: The Lord be with you. And also with you. 2008 Translation: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.

1970 Translation: I confess to almighty God...that I have sinned through my own fault 2008 Translation: I confess to almighty God...that I have sinned exceedingly...through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.

1970 Translation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might. 2008 Translation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.

1970 Translation: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. 2008 Translation: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Of course, there is much more. I encourage you to read Liturgiam Authenticam. It can be found online or by contacting the Office of Worship. Also, please continue to pray for the Bishops, as they continue to work to provide the Holy Catholic Church with an authentic translation of our rich liturgical resources.

Questions about worship, liturgy and the sacraments can be sent to Adam Schwend at adams@scdiocese.org or via mail at 1821 Jackson St. Sioux City, IA 51102.

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