Several months ago, I distributed to parish leaders a pamphlet which describes some of the forthcoming changes in the translation of the Mass. The implementation of these changes is still over a year away. It is good, however, to have some advance notice of what will be coming and why it is coming.

The official language of the Roman Catholic Church in the West is still Latin. This means that the official Mass Book (Missal) of the Western Church is written in Latin. The Revised Roman Missal, which was compiled after the Second Vatican Council, was written in Latin. It was translated into English after being published over forty years ago. In 2000 a revision of that Latin Missal was issued at Rome. This 2000 Missal is the basis of the new translation.

Putting together the Latin Missal was a tremendous piece of work.  Liturgical scholars studied the Missal of Pius V of 1570 and many historic liturgical sources. They also composed new prayers in Latin. Whenever a new saint is canonized, new prayers are prepared. New Eucharistic Prayers have also been developed, as well as an entire set of texts for Masses in honor of Mary.

The translation we have been using for forty years really did not do justice to the original Latin texts. Many allusions and nuances were lost. The need for revision had long been recognized. Rome was concerned that the Latin original be more exactly translated. Some critics wanted a text that could be more readily sung. Others felt that there should be a more reverential tone to the language.  The decision was also made that the text should be used by the entire English-speaking world.

The International Committee for English in the Liturgy prepared a text according to norms given by Rome. Another committee, Vox Clara, appointed by Rome, reviewed the results. The Bishops of every English-speaking part of the world reviewed and approved the text (after much wrangling). The final product was sent back to Rome for final approval (called "recognition"). This final step occurred this year.

Now the new translation has to be printed. This will take time. The hoped-for date of the implementation is Advent of 2011. Many questions remain. Will the publishers try to fit everything into one book? What melodies will be composed for the priest to sing?  What do we do with musical versions of the old texts? Will we have to get new hymnals? We have to wait and see.

In our diocese, Father Paul Minnihan, Diocesan Director of Liturgy, will be coordinating programs of catechesis and implementation. The new translation offers us an opportunity for deepening our love of the Mass and improving our participation in it. Full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy is what the Second Vatican Council hoped to achieve. The new translation should help us toward that goal.