Did you know that the Catholic Missal is being revised?
I had no idea until a few days ago when I attended a meeting in my parish. Father Paul Turner, a priest of the diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph, spoke to the community members about the changes and why these changes are taking place. It’s not just my church. It’s worldwide!
Why is it changing?
Basically, priests and leaders of the Church have meditated and discussed this for a long, long time. After Vatican II, when we changed from Latin masses, some of the countries took a few more liberties with the translation. English speakers have a slightly different translation of parts of the mass than other countries. Now, we are trying to form a more united, consistent mass that follows most closely to its Latin root.
So, what does that mean?
Well, we’re going to have to learn new responses in the mass. That also means that some of the songs we sing will have to be altered since the wording has changed.
What are the changes?
A few examples are:
- Opening greeting: “May the Lord be with you” / Response: “And with your spirit” (was “And also with you”)
- Nicene Creed: ”one in being” is replaced with “consubstantial”
- “I am not worthy to receive you…” changes to “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…”
When are the changes in effect?
The Church leaders are still working out the details of this complicated process. A good estimation of when the changes will happen would be Advent of 2011.
More information?
Visit the Notre Dame liturgy site for discussions and videos about these changes from Father Turner and others. I also suggest that you attend a meeting concerning this if you have the opportunity. It is best to talk to an expert. These leaders know what they’re doing and have fascinating explanations as to why they are making these changes.
Comments?
Are these changes important? Or is it even worth re-learning so much? What do you think?
Caroline this is really informative and concise and I had no idea about these changes so thank you for the update. I personally don’t think it’s necessary for the responses to match other languages so closely. I think each language molds the words we say every week in a way that the culture can understand. Also, the changes, from what I see in your examples, are so minute that they’re unnecessary. Oh well. I guess I’ll get used to it.