Introduction to the Revised Roman Missal

"Pope John Paul II announced a revised version of the Missale Romanum during the Jubilee Year 2000.  Among other things, the revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.  The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well-known responses and acclamations of the people."  (USCCB)

Beginning Sunday, November 27th, we will begin using the Roman Missal, Third Edition.  To help prepare for this change, we will have two Parish Assembly Sessions:

        Tuesday October 18th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and
        Saturday, October 22nd, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

You may attend either session; the information will be the same at both.

Below you will also find various links you can access on the web for your own study of the changes. 

Welcoming the New Roman Missal  (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

New Roman Missal from Life Teen  (Resources for middle schoolers, high school teens and parents)

Revised Roman Missal Resources    (Site dedicated to the Roman Missal)

Catholic Update Guides:

    #1  What is a Missal, Anyway?
    #2  Liturgy: It's How We Pray
    #3  I Believe: The Creed(s)
    #4  The Family Meal: An Overview of the Mass
    #5  The Eucharistic Prayer
    #6  Communion Rite:  A Faith Connection

1.  Why is there a need for a new translation?

Pope John Paul II issued the third edition of the Missale Romanum (the Latin text of the Roman Missal) during the Jubilee Year in 2000.  This new edition included many new texts requiring translation.   In addition, the experience of the years after the Second Vatican Council gave rise to a desire for more formal and literal translations of the original Latin texts.  This new translation will employ the best of what we have learned about translation and liturgical language in two generations of celebrating the Liturgy in the vernacular.  It will provide an opportunity to reflect ever more deeply on the Eucharistic celebration that lies at the heart of the Church’s life.

2.  Who did the work of translation?

The process of translating liturgical texts from the original Latin was a highly consultative work done by several groups.  The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) prepared English translations of liturgical texts on behalf of the conferences of bishops of English-speaking countries.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the other member conferences received draft translations of each text and had the opportunity to offer comments and suggestions to ICEL.  Then ICEL proposed a second draft, which each conference approved and submitted to the Vatican for final approval.  Each conference reserved the right to amend or modify a particular text.  At the Vatican, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments examined the translated texts, offered authoritative approval (recognitio) of the texts, and granted permission for their use.  The Congregation was aided by the recommendations of Vox Clara, a special committee of bishops and consultants from English-speaking countries.  The translation and review process was guided by the guidelines in Liturgiam Authenticam, issued in 2001, an instruction from the Congregation that outlines the principles and rules for liturgical translation.  In 2007, the Congregation also issued a ratio outlining the specific rules for translation in English.

3.  What’s new or different about the revised translation?

The style of the translation of the third edition is different.  In accord with the rules for translation established by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the style of the original Latin texts more closely, including concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm.  The English used in the Mass texts is more formal and dignified in style.  Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images.  In addition, the third edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (or instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.

4.  What is the timeline for the approval and implementation of the Missal?

After the Latin Missale Romanum was published in 2002, ICEL began its work of preparing a draft English translation of the text. ICEL presented the first section—the Order of Mass, which contains the fixed prayers of the Mass, including the people’s parts—to the English speaking conferences of bishops in 2004.  The USCCB approved the final version in 2006, and the Holy See confirmed this section in June 2008.  The remaining sectionswere approved between 2007 and 2009. The USCCB completed its approval of the Missal in November 2009.  The Holy See granted the final approval of the text in the spring of 2010.  Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president of the USCCB, announced that parishes may begin using the revised translation on November 27, 2011.

5.  What will the new Missal mean in my parish?

In the months before the revised translation is implemented, parishes have had  to do many things.  The parish had to replace liturgical books and participation aids.  Priests have had to practice proclaiming the new texts and prepare homilies helping the faithful to understand the new translation and to deepen their appreciation for the Liturgy.  The music ministers and the people will learn new musical settings for the parts of the Mass (such as the Gloria and the Sanctus).  Catechists and teachers will help parishioners learn the new prayers.  Parishes may also use this opportunity to undertake athorough reexamination of their liturgical practices.

6.  If my parish likes the old translation better, can we continue using that one?

Now that the Holy See has granted the recognitio to the revised translation, the USCCB has established a date for first use and a date for mandatory use.  No parish may continue to use the current translation after the mandatory use date.  Parishes will need to use the period before the mandatory use date to help parishioners renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the revised translation.

7.  Do these changes mean that the old translation was not valid and orthodox?

The current translation was approved by the conferences of bishops and confirmed by the Holy See.  Until the new text becomes effective, the current translation remains the valid ordinary form of the Liturgy in the Roman Rite.  The revised translation attempts to address some inadequacies in the present translation by introducing a more elevated style of language and by retaining many poetic texts and scriptural allusions.  The current translation fostered the faith of two generations of Catholics and retains a valid place in church history.

8.  What opportunities does the new Missal offer the Church?

Implementing the new Missal will give the Church an opportunity to take a fresh look at its liturgical practice and to renew its celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, which is the “source and summit” of Christian life (SecondVatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium], no. 11).  The faithful, encountering the Liturgy anew in the new text, can deepen their sharing in Christ’s sacrifice, offering their lives to the Father as they worship “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).

REFERENCE

Second Vatican Council. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium). In Vatican Council II: Volume I: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents (new rev. ed.), edited by Austin Flannery. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing, 1996.
Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1975, Costello Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, NY, are used with permission of the publisher, all rights reserved. No part of these excerpts may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without express written permission of Costello Publishing
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