Starting on November 27, 2011, we will begin celebrating Mass according to the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.  This is a new translation of the Latin text of the Mass into English. Several phrases that have been familiar for many years have been updated to a translation more in keeping with the original Latin.  Pew cards will be available in church to help teach the new parts.  In addition, there are several resources available from both our Diocese and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Why was a new English translation needed?

The Roman Missal is originally a Latin text which, since Vatican II, has been translated into the vernacular languages of the world.  The Latin version of the missal itself has gone through three revisions, with the most recent being under Pope John Paul II, introduced in 2002.  It is this third edition of the (Latin) Roman Missal that we are receiving in English beginning the First Sunday of Advent.  Following Vatican II and through the subsequent years, the missal has been continuously studied in an effort to make an English translation that is more consistent with the Latin text.  The new translation offers a new richness and accuracy (closeness to the original Latin meaning) that was not available in the earlier translations.

An explanation of the new English translation by Father Robert Barron:

This Life Teen video geared toward parents helps explain the reasons for and process that went into this new English translation of the Roman Missal:

New Roman Missal for Parents and Adults – Word for Word by Life Teen from Life Teen on Vimeo.

What will be different about the Mass?

Probably the first thing we will notice at Mass on the First Sunday of Advent is that when the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” the people will answer “And with your spirit.“  This is only the beginning of a new experience with the texts of the sacred liturgy that will cause us to pay more attention than we may have been doing when we had all the prayers memorized. (You will also notice a more formal-sounding language and slight changes to familiar phrases in the prayers that the priest prays). Follow along with the pew cards and you’ll be able to go with the flow.  Here are some videos that will help with singing some of the new translations of the prayers:

Gloria (Glory to God)

Preface Dialogue

Sanctus (Holy)

Memorial Acclamation

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

The Diocesan Office of Sacred Worship has several articles and resources for reflection and study.  In addition, the office has information on the Gregorian Chant Introit Project.

The USCCB’s page on the Roman Missal is an excellent source of the history and timeline of the new Missal.