Beginning in Advent of 2011, the U.S. church will be using a new English translation of the Roman Missal. The current translation was promulgated in 1973, and for the past past several years the International Commission on English has been working on a new text. The controversy surrounding this translation, including the decision not to use a text proposed by an earlier iteration of ICEL, has been well documented in America. Here we offer a selection of our coverage from both our print and online editions. Cardinal Roger M. Mahony's essay on the new Missal, "A Graced Moment," appears in the May 23 issue.
"Liturgists Worry About Upcoming Implementation," Signs of the Times, February 14, 2011
"An Open Letter to the U.S. Catholic Bishops," Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., Web Only
"Bringing Liturgy to Life," Steven P. Millies, February 7, 2011
"For You and Who Else?" Paul Philibert, January 3, 2011
Examples of the new texts, Web Only
"Liturgists Prepare for Coming Changes in Mass Text," Signs of the Times, August 2, 2010
"Welcoming the Roman Missal," Arthur J. Serratelli, March 1, 2010
"Defending the New Missal," Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Web Only
"What If We Said, 'Wait'?" Michael G. Ryan, December 14, 2009
"How Accessible Are the New Mass Translations?" Donald W. Trautman, May 21, 2007
"The Quest for Authentic Liturgy," Donald W. Trautman, October 22, 2001
"ICEL and Liturgical Translations," Ronald D. Witherup, October 7, 2000
"Troubling Assertions From Rome About ICEL," Nathan D. Mitchell, July 1, 2000
The words at first might sound a bit strange, but remember, we're trying to describe and talk about God and things which are supernatural, and not of our nature. Our human language will never be able to fully capture the essence of God and of things associated with Him. But through some basic education we can learn and understand the theology behind the new words and how they build up our worship of God even more than at present!
The goal is that if Moms and Dads WANT to learn, they will be able to. Then at Mass, they will be able to answer those questions from their wondering children, or at least know where to go to find the answer. Such learning can never be a bad thing!
My prayer is that articles like this will soon go by the wayside so that we can stop focusing upon what separates us and instead move forward in a joyful spirit of learning about our faith more deeply together as God's people!
Peace to you Mr. Evans!