What is the 3rd “Edition” of the
Roman Missal? First, the missal is our
“Mass Book”; it contains all the ordinary prayers and prayers for special
feasts and occasions that we use for Mass.
As part of the Church’s regular work, the content of the Missal is
examined from time to time. As an
example, you probably know that Blessed Pope John Paul II canonized a vast
number of saints during his pontificate.
Some of these have been inserted into the universal calendar of the
Church. Others have become part of local
or national celebrations in different countries around the world.
The third revision of the
authoritative text came out a little over ten years ago. As that text is in Latin, there was a need to
translate it into the various languages spoken around the world. The Holy Father directed that the guiding
principles of translation be revised.
The new English translation is “formally equivalent” to the Latin text,
i.e., it is a direct translation as much as is possible.
Will it sound a little different? Yes. It will sound different to our ears and
I think it invites us to pray a little more slowly and with a slightly
different rhythm. What about the words? Many are still direct and very clear; others
will cause us to expand our vocabulary a little bit.
What is the most significant
thing to notice? The prayers, including
the Eucharistic prayers will more clearly demonstrate their scriptural
roots. You will recognize phrases that
appear in the scriptures. This will give
us more to meditate on and to contemplate.
Each language we speak also has
its own personality as well as carrying with it a history of changing and
developing world views. So the
translation of the Latin will also use phrasing that may sound a little different
to us. But like any language we adapt to
it and soon find ourselves using it as a means to be united in our deepest
relationship, our relationship with God.
Fr. Bob
