Catechesis on the New Missal Translation

[change is coming]

As of today there are 458 days until the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal. The first day of its official use will be November 27, 2011. Although that may seem like a lot, it really isn't, and something tells me that a lot of parishes are going to go about this process in a painful and harmful way for many faithful.

It isn't that I have a defeatists attitude, instead it is a recognition and observance of how this change has been handled up to this point, and we haven't even had anything tangible to sink our teeth into. Since the approval and implementation date have been finalized, the USCCB has started rolling out the game plan for how the change will occur. From their website:

5. What should be taking place with our catechetical efforts?
Dioceses should have a projected plan of what they intend to do to encourage preparation for implementation of the new translation in their dioceses. Parishes should, if they have not already done so, offer a basic catechesis about the text, especially about the changes in the people’s responses. The Newsletter of the Committee on Divine Worship has already highlighted various catechetical resources which will be valuable tools for the formation process. In September, 2010, the USCCB will offer the Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal. This resource will offer a roadmap to implementing the new translation in the parish. Both the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and USCCB will offer a multi-media DVD resource entitled Become One Body, One Spirit in Christ, an excellent catechetical resource for examining the new translation in the broader context of the history and theology of liturgy. With the final text now available, other publishers will provide catechetical materials which, among other things, will begin to look at the historical and theological aspects of the text.

I know in the local parishes in my area, their has been a discussion about this topic a while back before anything was finalized, and nothing that I would call basic catechesis. What was most troubling was the way in which the priests tried to relate to the faithful by explaining how "hard and difficult change is" and that if "we all band together we can get through this." Not really glowing endorsements of the Missal if you ask me.

[the resistance...why?]

The goal of the new translation is to deepen the meaning of the Mass, not in way that changes the Mass but in a way that ties our prayer to the sacrifice and worship at Mass. The USCCB explains it this way:

The long-term goal of the new translation is to foster a deeper awareness and appreciation of the mysteries being celebrated in the Liturgy. The axiom lex orandi, lex credendi—“what we pray is what we believe”—suggests that there is a direct relationship between the content of our prayers and the substance of our faith. It is hoped that writers will start to provide materials reflecting on the rich content of the text. These contributions might encourage priests to use the content of the prayers as a basis for their homilies or to supplement their homilies on Sundays. Those giving retreats or days of recollection can use the new texts of the missal as a resource for their presentations. All can make use of the texts for deepening their prayer life.

So why the resistance? Well, because this is a sign of the "reform of the reform." Sure, people aren't good at change, and they resist it, that is understandable. In this situation though, the resistance to change is a smoke-screen as to the real resistance: reform. There are Bishops and Priests out there that will explain that the Missal Translation is cumbersome, sloppy, hard, etc... They will use intellectual sounding arguments in an effort to convince you that this is a plot but radical traditionalists to take us one step closer to using Latin. They will talk about how this was a hurried version, and it isn't very accessible or easy to digest.

How do I know what they are going to say? I don't. But I know the philosophy behind those that have already spoken out to oppose it, and it is easy to predict their arguments based on their philosophy. On top of that, they can't come right out and say what they really think, which is that this flies in the face of their philosophical base. Those that view the changes since Vatican II as a progressive change and a disruption to the continuity of the faith will be against this. Even if they don't say it as such, there are those that truly believe that Vatican II somehow mandated a lock-stock-and-barrel change to the faith; it was to be accomplished through changes in the Mass, prayers, and various substantive measures in our liturgical actions.

[What we many of us will see...]

Some of may get a true Catechesis on the changes. The rest of us may suffer. Many who resist the changes see this, although they won't admit it, as an indictment of the bastardization of the way the Mass has been celebrated over the last few decades. In some respects I would say that is exactly what it is, and rightfully so. For other places, that were more obedient to the Missal and the Church, these changes will be a refinement and a measure that will deepen the prayer and liturgical life of the Church.

For those of us that miss out on any substantive Catechesis on this matter, it is upon you to learn the changes... and to learn WHY they are occurring. At some point every parish will have to implement some sort of instruction on the new translation. The question will be to what extent. When the translation is brought up the complaints will start to fly. It is our job as defenders of the faith to address those complaints. We must be our brother's keeper we must practice Spiritual Works of Mercy.

The only way we can do this though, is if we truly understand what the changes are and why they have changed. If a priest complains, ask him individually why he is reluctant to change and whether his attitude towards the change will do anything more than confuse the faithful. Sure, they might like him more because he feels just like them but the role of a priest is much like that of a parent. He is not there to be our friend first and priest second, he is there to be our priest first and in doing so should become our friend.

So study. Prepare yourself. Pray. Read what you can about the changes, understand their purpose and meaning, and be ready to defend the changes. We may not agree with all of them in terms of how they feel... but this isn't about feelings. This is about the essence of our Mass.

lex orandi, lex credendi

~

“what we pray, is what we believe”

Resources:

USCCB Missal Translation Website - (Link)

Guides for Mass - (Link)

Changes to Major Responses - (Link)

Parish Guide for the New Missal Implementation [*Coming Soon*] - (Link)

Articles Explaining the Need and Importance of the New Translation - (Link)

A Reflection on the Vision of the Missal Translation - (Link)

A 'New Task' for Catholic Fathers - Missal Translation Catechism

Pope Benedict has called the movement towards the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal a: "New Task" His statement at the end of his letter announcing the approval of the new translation states:

"A new task will then present itself," the Pope affirmed, "one which falls outside the direct competence of Vox Clara, but which in one way or another will involve all of you -- the task of preparing for the reception of the new translation by clergy and lay faithful."

He acknowledged that "many will find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly forty years of continuous use of the previous translation."

"The change will need to be introduced with due sensitivity," the Pontiff said, "and the opportunity for catechesis that it presents will need to be firmly grasped."

He added, "I pray that in this way any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted, and the change will serve instead as a springboard for a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English-speaking world."

The "opportunity for Catechesis" falls not only on the priests and bishops but also on us as Catholic faithful. He explains that this change should not create confusion but be a "springboard" for "renewal" and a "deepening of Eucharistic devotion."

As a Catholic father, I find this opportunity as the perfect way to help in the "reform of the reform." I know that some have called the "reform of the reform" a hollow call and lackluster movement, but if not now, when? Is this not the perfect opportunity to reclaim the Mass? To bring it back from the throws of puppet shows, altar gatherings, ad-libbing, liturgical improvisation, and "Church-u-tainment"?

Many of the changes will require Catechesis to not only help the faithful learn the differences, but to also ACCEPT them. How better to reclaim the true meaning and mystery in the Mass then to seize this opportunity and ensure that what is taught and what we learn is true to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Many have complained of the 'abuses' that they see and hear in the Mass every Sunday and during the week. Well, what better time than now to instruct ourselves on the meaning, mystery, and sacredness of the Mass?

We cannot stand at the Ambo and preach the changes-as-Catechesis, but we do stand at the "Ambo" of the dinner table. We can begin to instruct our families and children on the changes, why they are changing and what they mean. We also can inform other lay faithful on the changes, and how they impact the Mass.

This is a new task... and it falls on ALL of us, especially those that have been calling for reform in recent years. It must start somewhere... so why not with YOU?

Alleluia!

Dear Cardinals,


Dear Brother Bishops and Priests,


Members and Consultors of the Vox Clara Committee,


I thank you for the work that Vox Clara has done over the last eight years, assisting and advising the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in fulfilling its responsibilities with regard to the English translations of liturgical texts. This has been a truly collegial enterprise. Not only are all five continents represented in the membership of the Committee, but you have been assiduous in drawing together contributions from Bishops’ Conferences in English-speaking territories all over the world. I thank you for the great labour you have expended in your study of the translations and in processing the results of the many consultations that have been conducted. I thank the expert assistants for offering the fruits of their scholarship in order to render a service to the universal Church. And I thank the Superiors and Officials of the Congregation for their daily, painstaking work of overseeing the preparation and translation of texts that proclaim the truth of our redemption in Christ, the Incarnate Word of God.


Saint Augustine spoke beautifully of the relation between John the Baptist, the vox clara that resounded on the banks of the Jordan, and the Word that he spoke. A voice, he said, serves to share with the listener the message that is already in the speaker’s heart. Once the word has been spoken, it is present in the hearts of both, and so the voice, its task having been completed, can fade away (cf. Sermon 293). I welcome the news that the English translation of the Roman Missal will soon be ready for publication, so that the texts you have worked so hard to prepare may be proclaimed in the liturgy that is celebrated across the anglophone world. Through these sacred texts and the actions that accompany them, Christ will be made present and active in the midst of his people. The voice that helped bring these words to birth will have completed its task.


A new task will then present itself, one which falls outside the direct competence of Vox Clara, but which in one way or another will involve all of you – the task of preparing for the reception of the new translation by clergy and lay faithful. Many will find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly forty years of continuous use of the previous translation. The change will need to be introduced with due sensitivity, and the opportunity for catechesis that it presents will need to be firmly grasped. I pray that in this way any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted, and the change will serve instead as a springboard for a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English-speaking world.


Dear Brother Bishops, Reverend Fathers, Friends, I want you to know how much I appreciate the great collaborative endeavour to which you have contributed. Soon the fruits of your labours will be made available to English-speaking congregations everywhere. As the prayers of God’s people rise before him like incense (cf. Psalm 140:2), may the Lord’s blessing come down upon all who have contributed their time and expertise to crafting the texts in which those prayers are expressed. Thank you, and may you be abundantly rewarded for your generous service to God’s people

A priestly take on the new translation of the Roman Missal

As many of you know there is a new translation of the Roman Missal coming out soon. For those that don't this, the plan is to have the new translation out by Advent of 2011. What does this mean exactly?

It means that the Novus Ordo (Modern Rite English) Mass will "sound" different... and it very well may *be* different, but that is a philosophical and theological question. In terms of practical application, the Missal will change many of the prayers, parts, and words used in the Modern Mass.

This of course has made some people question the implementation of this new translation. They argue that the new translation is cumbersome, difficult, or confusing. They then argue that added to the "difficulty" of the new translation is the simple fact that "change" and "newness" in the Mass will create confusion on behalf of the people of the Faith.

These arguments are shallow and in fact don't address the REASONS behind the necessity and purpose of the new translation. To better explain this point I direct you to Father Lee Acervo's: Corner where he explains not only why the new translation is SOUND but why it is actually a Holy and Faith-filled endeavor.

Here is a very poignant excerpt from his article:

When the Mass was first translated into English, many tried to make it more understandable or “meaningful.”  Well-intentioned, except that to make it meaningful to more and more people, the words had to become more and more simplified.  The goal of making the earthly liturgy more heavenly was lost.  The earthly liturgy was made more earthly or common.  Rather than a foretaste of Heaven, the Mass was often little different than everyday life.  As a result, Mass was no longer an encounter with something beyond this world causing many to say (and still say), “Why bother going?” 

The goal of these new translations is to lead us to something heavenly, yet understandable.  This may cause offense to some, but the prayers that we use at Mass are addressed to God and not to the people.  The priest is speaking not to the congregation, but to God on behalf of the Church, and when we approach someone of high dignity, we naturally use a higher form of language.  How much more when we approach the Almighty?

You can read the rest of his post here:

On the Revised English translations of the Roman Missal

-Posted by: Joe

As the Catholic Blog-o-world Spins: Link Round-Up

••• New Missal Translation Petitions:

 Mr. Peters over at American Papist has a good post regarding the two petitions concerning the new translation of the Roman Missal.

• Supporting the New Translation - Approx: 4000
• Against the New Translation - Approx: 14,000

As Peters says:

Not to put my hand on the scales here, but I’d hate to think that if an outside observer looked at both petitions, they would conclude that more Catholics want to see us continue using the old, flawed translations conconted in the 70’s, as opposed to joyfully embracing the new, vibrant, faithful translation (which of course, actually brings us closer to the perennial liturgical tradition of the universal Church).

 ••• The Crescast is off to see the Pope... with some help:

One of the bloggers that I find very funny: The Crescat is finally going to take her dream trip to Malta!

She needs a little help though. She plans on going for the Papal Visit, so things will book up quick and she needs some financial support. I can't do that, but I can at least get the word out. She is a good girl, is raising a son and putting herself through nursing school. Every little bit helps!

••• Lent Resources: Aggie Catholics:

Every Catholic blogger and their mom is posting the Aggie Catholics blog post regarding Lent Resources. After reading it, I realized that it was worth posting as well. Plus I didn't want to go against the Blogo-Karma... oh wait... Catholic Karma?

•••Nuns or Sisters? - The Dominican NUNS explain...:

In light of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist being on Oprah, the Dominican Nuns explained how the NUNS weren't on tv, but the Dominican Sisters were. It is a quick primer on what exactly Dominican Nuns are versus Dominican Sisters. They explain that Dominican Nuns are a specific order... and that not all Dominican Sisters are NUNS. 

•••AmP: The Kickbee: Baby tweeting from the womb:

You should probably just read American Papist instead of my blog. But since you are here... AmP posted a cute post about a new product: Kickbee. The most poigniant part of the post is where the AmP posited the question: "So unborn babies can have twitter accounts but not legal rights?" Touche. 

•••Cardinal Mahony Stamps his approval on the New Missal Translation:

I read on Sancte Pater that Cardinal Mahony has endorsed the New Missal Translation on his Blog. This is a powerful endorsement, and we American Catholics should not take it lightly. Go check out the post and check out Cardinal Mahony's Blog as well!

-Posted by: Joe