Bp. Ricken on the improved translation

We have just had our first full experience of the translation of the Roman Missal this past Sunday and I have been reading the online reactions of the priests to see how it has gone for them. Overall, it is has been a good experience — a bit daunting for the priests to remember not to go into the memorized parts of the Mass we have prayed for over 40 years. Many of the priests commented how the prayers are richer and deeper. I think that the prayers will call us into the deeper mystery of the sacred that permeates the Mass. The people have done very well. Perhaps that is because parish leadership practiced and catechized the parishes many months before.

For myself, I know that I will need to review the Mass parts, especially the orations (collect, offertory and post Communion prayer) as well as the preface for every Mass, since there have been substantial changes in many of these. The eucharistic prayer, the main prayer of the Mass, has changed considerably enough that once in a while the presider, me included, can be tripped up and may have to look twice before praying vocally.

All of these are little changes in the translation from the Latin to English in the grand scheme of things, since the Mass has substantially been the same since the Last Supper when Jesus gathered with the apostles the night before he died. In fact, we do not repeat the sacrifice over and over as the Scriptures warn us not to do. We enter every Sunday and every day, if you wish, into the one mystery of that Last Supper, which is tied to Good Friday and to Easter Sunday.

continue at The Compass