The New English Translation of the Roman Missal

Originally posted on June 9, 2012 via Multiply.com
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First of series: 10 June 2012 *  

(This short series is meant to help laypeople know and understand the changes in the English Translation of the Roman Missal)

The Liturgy of the Mass:

The Catholic Church desires all its faithful attending Holy Mass to be active participants and not just silent spectators.

"The Second Vatican Council... exhorts the faithful to take part in the celebration of the Holy Mass consciously and actively as befits every baptized person. Thus, "the faithful should have a good understanding of the rites and prayers" in the Mass.

"Worship, particularly the liturgy, is a sacred form of communication with God. God speaks to us and we respond in adoration, petition, and awe. Communication happens through rites and prayers, each of which expresses in various ways the word of God and the prayer of the Church.

The New English Translation of the Roman Missal:

The Bishops of the Philippines, which is the highest body collectively representing the Catholic Church in the Philippines, voted in January 2011 to adopt the New English Translation of the Roman Missal in toto, which will be fully implemented throughout the country by December 2012 during the Advent Season. Before that, there is a gradual implementation of the new English Translation.

However, before the eventual use of the new liturgical text, it is necessary to explain and provide catechesis on the implication of the changes introduced to the Order of the Mass. It is important to note that these changes do not differ in doctrinal content compared to the present version.

Greeting in the Mass:

In the Diocese of Parañaque (to which I belong) the gradual introduction of these changes starts this June 2012 in the Greeting in the Mass.

As the Priest-celebrant greets with "The Lord be with you," in the beginning of the Mass the response of the faithful is as follows:

Latin:                        Et cum spiritu tuo.

Present version:        And also with you.

New version:             And with your spirit.       

Other parts of the Mass where this greeting is used:

1.    Liturgy of the Word

2.    Introduction of Eucharistic Prayer (Preface)

3.    Kiss of Peace

4.    Before the Final Blessing

Analyis of the changes:

The new version is a more literal translation from Latin. "The answer in both the Greek and Latin liturgies is "And with your spirit."  

"Ancient Greek philosophy recognized three ascending levels in humans: the body, the soul, and the spirit. The spirit represents what is best and noblest in a person.

"In such a case, it is a courteous way of returning the greeting "The Lord be with you". We graciously address people by referring to their rank, status, or dignity. Thus, we commonly use the honorific title such as "Your Honor", "Your Reverence", and "Your Excellency".

Catechesis:

"When the people reply "And with your spirit", they return the greeting and express the prayerful wish that the priest will also be filled with the presence of the risen Lord, and that his ministry may receive the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit."

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* Source: The New English Translation of the Roman Missal: A Catechetical Primer, by Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB