New Translation of the Roman Missal

Starting November 27 of this year English speaking Roman Catholics will be using a new translation of the Roman Missal. The Roman Missal is the book that contains the texts, prayers and rubrics used for Mass and other liturgical rites in the vernacular. It is also known as the Sacramentary and is supplemented by The Lectionary which has the readings used at Mass. The purpose of the recently approved translations is for a more faithful rendering of the original Latin texts.

The Ordinary Form of Mass was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970 five years after the close of the Second Vatican Council. This was a dramatic change to the Extraordinary Form of Mass which had very strict rubrics.

The Ordinary Form of Mass is governed by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). This Mass permits the priest to face the congregation and stand behind the altar if it is freestanding. In this liturgy the ceremony is simplified by the reduced genuflections and options for brief readings and psalms.
The Internation Commision on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) is also assisting in the transition from the Missale Romanum 2002 to 2011. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has many resources available on the upcoming Missal including samples of the new text. There are some groups and even a petition against the new Missal. Let us move forward and anticipate the much needed changes.

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