EWTNews
16-Jun-2006
CHANGES TO MASS TO REFLECT LATIN TRANSLATION AND BIBLICAL
ORIGINS
Los Angeles, June 16, 2006 (CNA) - Following Thursdays approval of
a new translation of the Mass in English, by the Bishops of the
United States, several Catholics are wondering how the Mass changes
will affect their experience. Below are listed a few of the more
notable changes to the words the congregation prays:
On of the most commonly used exchanges between priest and people
during the Mass is currently translated "The Lord be with you" /
"And also with you". The new translation would read, "The Lord be
with you" / "And with your spirit". Bishop Arthur Roche, Bishop of
Leeds (England) and Chairman of the International Commission on
English in the Liturgy, briefly explained this change
yesterday.
The translation of the phrase et cum spritu tuo, Bishop Roche
said, cannot be understood without reference to St Paul, who will
often address a person, for example Timothy, by referring to your
spirit rather than simply to you. What is the significance of
this? Well, he is addressing someone close to God who has Gods
spirit. So when we reply, and with your spirit, we are indicating
that we are part of a spiritual community, it is Gods spirit that
has gathered us together.
The prayer Catholics say prior to communion, which currently reads,
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, would now be translated,
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. This
response, Roche said, is supposed to be reminiscent of the
Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. (found in Matthew
8:8 and Luke 7:6).
During the praying of the Nicene Creed Catholics would together
profess their own personal faith, saying I believe, instead of
We believe.
The penitential rite at the beginning of Mass would be expanded to
mirror more closely the Latin translation. Whereas Catholics
currently say, "I have sinned through my fault," they would
eventually say, "I have sinned greatly through my fault, through my
fault, through my most grievous fault."
Additionally, the wording of the Sanctus or Holy, Holy would
change slightly, from, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and
might," to, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of hosts."
Bishop Roche emphasized that the translation changes not only
reflect more precisely the Mass in Latin, but also aim at
faithfulness to the origin of the prayers. The prayers of the
Mass, Bishop Roche said, are mainly inspired and formed from
Sacred Scripture, and the Commission of ICEL has accepted one very
important point found in Liturgiam authenticam and accepted it as
being crucial, namely the significance of the language of Sacred
Scripture in our translation of the Mass.
