DIOCESAN NEWS
08/22/08
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Local director explains new translation
By Mary Woodward
      Recently the Vatican approved a new English translation of part of the Roman Missal or Sacramentary as it is often called. The English text we currently are using was developed shortly after the Second Vatican Council and has served us well for many years now.
      Upon looking at that original translation in light of the Vatican’s publication of Liturgiam Authenticam in 2001, the church thought it would be prudent at this time in our history to look at the Latin text and make some adjustments to the English that would be closer to the literal Latin.
      This translation process is coordinated by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and is divided into 12 sections. Each section is going through a recommendation and approval period with bishops’ conferences in the English speaking countries of the world. The section that received final approval recently was the first of these 12 parts.
      This approved section is called the Ordo Missae I or Order of the Mass I and contains all the prayers and responses to which we are accustomed such as the Confiteor, Gloria, Creed, Eucharistic Prayers, Sanctus, etc. Each of these responses has been nuanced in a way in the new translation so as to capture the original Latin more literally.
      The translations of the Our Father and Agnus Dei have not been changed. Many of the retranslations are very subtle, but will involve some adjustments of learning new responses by all of us.
      An example of this is: whenever the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” the new response is “And with your spirit.” When the Mass was translated 40 years ago, in almost every language this particular response was translated literally from the Latin.
      Therefore, in Spanish, Italian, German, French, etc., the response is “and with your spirit.” The English translation “and also with you” captures the essence of the Latin but Liturgiam Authenticam is calling for a more literal translation.
      When the entire translation is complete and approved by the Vatican, the diocese will begin using the new translation together as a Catholic diocesan family. Liturgical materials to help with this transition are being developed and will be distributed to parishes when the new translation is finalized.
      Currently the target date is November 2010. Until the time when the entire process is completed and approved, parishes will continue to use the original English translation.
      This first section has been released early so that the new translations of the Mass parts may be studied by liturgical musicians and set to music.
      The U.S. bishops’ Committee of Divine Worship has some excellent resources including the text of the approved section and a list of questions and answers that will further explain the translation process and this section. You may access these resources through the internet at www.usccb.org/liturgy.
      The celebration of the Eucharist is our central act of worship as Catholics. It is what makes us who we are. The Mass has evolved and developed throughout the centuries and it will continue to do so.
      The church has a great system in place to help maintain the dignity of the sacrament so that our universal church will reflect its unity throughout the world.
      At each change or development the diocese will journey through the transition as a Catholic family. In this way we will continue the centuries old tradition of being connected to the larger worldwide church through our movements and actions in the celebration of the Eucharist.
(Mary Woodward is director of the Department of Evangelization which includes the Office of Liturgy in the Diocese of Jackson.)

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