What do you think of the minor changes in the English translation of the Roman Catholic Mass?

Question

A look at some of the changes to the Mass approved by U.S. Catholic bishops Thursday (6/15/06).

• The exchanges between priest and parishioners that now go "The Lord be with you" / "And also with you" would become "The Lord be with you" / "And with your spirit."

• The Act of Penitence, in which parishioners now confess aloud that they have sinned "through my own fault" would include the lines "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault."

• In the Nicene Creed, the opening words "We believe" would become "I believe."

• Early in the Eucharistic Prayer, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might" would become "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of hosts."

• Before Communion, the prayer "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you" would become "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof."

-- The Associated Press

Full article at: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/15/catholic.mass.ap/index.html

Please indicate whether or not you are Roman Catholic.

Answer 1

The reason for the proposed changes was to bring the English vernacular translation of the Mass into conformity with the original Latin (as the document "Liturgiam authenticam" required to be done). They are good changes, because they correct a flawed English translation (not to mention a rather dull one). The changes restore a certain dignity in liturgical language and also make the English vernacular reflect more faithfully the original Latin text. One bishop commented that the changes were good because they will teach the faithful to "speak Bible". The original Latin text is filled with literal Biblical references which were simply and poorly "translated out" by the English translation (for example, the prayer of the centurion will now finally be restored: "Lord, I am not worthy that You enter under my roof..." instead of the actual "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you...".

Answer 2

I am a Catholic of the Roman Rite.

The changes are a good start. I really wish they (the USCCB) would just do a translation of the texts instead of adding things here and there. The liturgy IS what makes Catholics Catholic. It is the pray of the people of God for the salvation of the world.

It would be nice if all English speaking countries had the same translation too.

Sticking with the Latin is important and it is good to see that the USCCB is attempting that (though they rejected some notable one).

I hope this continues to foster a more devoted atmosphere at Mass and helps to restore much of what was lost and actually get around to implementing Vatican II, or are B16 says a "reform of the reform".

It will be a pain to get anything implemented in certain diocese, but luckily B16 is truly interested in fostering a reverent liturgy as it helps to bring us all together in one expression of the faith.

The Spirit of the Liturgy by then Card. Ratzinger is a great read.

Answer 3

Thank you for posting the link. I have been looking for some reference but haven't been able to find to much.

Personally, I think some of the changes will be for the good, like the Nicene Creed - I think it should be "I believe" because we are in communion with each other and are considered "The Church" so saying I is more correct.

Not so sure about the communion - but it makes sense, our bodies are a temple to the Holy Spirit. . .

I like the change to "The Lord be with you".

I wonder, though how long it is going to take to have these changes take effect? I can see some resistance to them in the older parishoners (or perhaps the younger ones?).

I am a Roman Catholic.

Answer 4

I am Roman Catholic

Perhaps I would not be so stand-offish to these changes if I understood WHY the Catholic Church in America was considering them.

I'm a big believer in the ideal that faith is supposed to change people, not the people change the faith.

Alas, these are ecclesiastic laws. They are meant to be changed from time to time depending upon the needs of the church and/or popular social trends at the time.

My understanding of these changes is that there is a little bit of retro-fitting going on here. Most, if not all, of these changes are nothing new. These are customs the church used to practice and it looks as though they are being brought back.

Again, I would like to know WHY these changes are being made, before I can truly know how to feel about them.

That's my two cents.

Answer 5

I am Roman Catholic. Each of these sound as if the same thing will be ultimately accomplished.. I'm sure there will be a bit of getting use to, but overall we are saying and doing the same thing at Mass.

I'm to try to look at it as refreshing. And we will still have the Real Presence of Jesus Christ at every Mass. That is something you can't find in many other churches.

Answer 6

Spiritual atheist. I am a poet, so I know a bit about poetic and metaphorical languages.

First one: I prefer the first one before the change.
2nd: Prefer the former, before the change.
3rd: I like this change. :-) It shows the religion is a personal thing.
4th: The change is a nice one. More inviting, less fearsome.
5th: I rather liked the former, before the change.

Should I buy a KJV soon before the changes take effect??? I would hate to see too much changes in the beautiful metaphorical language. :-./ Ugh, ugh, ugh, and UGH!

Answer 7

Given the massive changes made to the Bible through the ages, by the elders of the Christian Church, purely to attain control of the masses through fear...I would say a few minor changes in current day rituals are very minor indeed.
"Ritual is the husk of true faith"....Tao Te Ching. Lao Tze

Answer 8

I am Catholic.

I don't think it is a big deal. They are just trying to get the English translation closer to the original Latin.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

In my opinion, they are inane. These superfluous alterations will ultimately change nothing.

It would be better to leave the words as they are and concentrate on eliminating the child molestation that has been endemic in the church for so many years.

Answer 10

It doesn't matter. The catholic church has been changing things for years.

I don't follow any man-made traditions/rules, so I am definatly not a catholic.