Saturday, August 22, 2009

It's Almost Here!

We're getting closer to the new English translation of the Mass! Father Z characterizes the current translation as "God, you are so big. Help us to be big like you". And I couldn't agree more. There's been a lot of debate about the new (and more accurate) translation. Apparently some Bishops think their flock are a bunch of dimwits and won't understand such big words such as "ineffable" or "consubstanial". The Bishops of the United States have put up a website about the new translation. They offers up some examples of the changes, including:

current text:
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

New text:
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.

Significant changes to the Gloria:
current text:
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

new text:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,


And what looks like a ton of other changes. Many are exactly as they appear in the English side of my 1962 Mass Missal. There are also many changes for the priest as well. I first heard about the new translation right after being Baptized, in 2002. Now I wonder how many parishes around these parts will actually follow this new and improved translation? How many will just ignore it, they way they ignore decrees of the Pope? Too many, unfortunately. And, I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt the Bishop will do anything about it.

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