The Mass is Changing! The Mass is Changing!

Sep 25, 2011
Lorraine Shelstad

Altar at Roman Catholic Church - L. Shelstad

Like Henny Penny who said, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" rumours abound about the upcoming changes to the Roman Catholic Mass.

Henny Penny once shouted, “The sky is falling. The sky is falling!” and with the same fear and trepidition some are crying, “The Mass is changing! The Mass is changing!” There are those who are angry that the changes will take them back to pre-Vatican II days while others fear the opposite, that it will take them further from the Latin they loved. And then there are those who just feel that it will be too much to re-learn! Are the fears well-founded or are they exaggerated?

Firstly, the structure, the order and the meaning of the Mass are not changing. The changes are primarlly in the words that are used during the celebration of the Mass. When the Mass changes are rolled out (First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011 for the USA and Canada) people will be relieved to see that there are not that many changes afterall. Many will be familiar with the changes already since the language is closer to what was used before Vatican II (although the new translation does not reflect pre-Vatican practice).

These changes will be instituted in all countries that use English: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA as well as the many parishes in other countries that use English (e.g. Singapore, India).

Does the Mass need changing?

In the 1960s the Second Vatican Council allowed for “a more extended use of the mother tongue within the Mass (Sancrosanctum Concilium, 53). At that time an official English translation was worked out rather quickly and was first used, along with a full English Missal, in 1973. Those translating the Latin of the Mass into modern English aimed for the general meaning or paraphase rather than a literal translation.

In 2001, the Vatican called for a more precise and improved translation which keeps the rich spiritual metaphors and images that were lost in the English translation. Allusions to Biblical passages, of which there are many, are more carefully preserved and the changes more faithfully reflect the theology of the Church. The translations will be less conversational and convey more reverence.

What will change?

Many of the changes are in the responses made by the people and in the words of the presiding priest. However, new musical settings have been developed for the parts of the Mass, such as the Gloria and the Agnus Dei.

A few examples of changes

1. The response to the Greeting. When the priest says, “The Lord be with you.” the people will respond, “And with your spirit.” Rather than sound like just an exchange of personal greeting (“And also with you.”) the response will more adequately reflect the text of the Mass and the writings of St. Paul (e.g. Galatians 6:18, II Tim 4:22).

2. The Confession (I confess to Almighty God...) Instead of saying, “... through my own fault” we will now say (as was previously said in Latin), “... through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.”

3. Penitential Act. The priest says, “Have mercy on us, Lord.” The people will answer, “For we have sinned against you.” The priest will say, “Show us, O Lord, your mercy.”

4. The Nicene Creed. Instead of “we believe” we will say,, “I believe” which better translates the singular form of the Latin verb, credo. This is not to be seen as a promotion of individualism but rather as a personal profession of faith. When it comes to what we believe we can only speak for ourselves, not for others.

5. The Nicene Creed. We will say, “...begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father...”. At the Council of Nicea in 325AD, the Greek word homoousios was used to express the doctrine that Jesus, the Son of God, is of the same essential Being and substance as the Father. In Latin the term is consubstantialis. Therefore we will use 'consubstantial', a theological word to express our faith in the nature of Christ, that is truly God and truly man.

These are just a few examples of the changes.

How Can I Prepare for the Mass changes?

Most dioceses are offering workshops for the laity on the New Mass Translation. There is also information on websites of the Bishops of the English-speaking countries. Several helpful booklets and CDs are available - contact your parish for sources. The first few months will be a learning time for all as everyone gradually gets used to the changes.

Father Bill Burke has been offering workshops in Canada and notes, “People are realizing that “there is a lot of good stuff here.” So the sky isn’t falling after all!