Prior to Ash Wednesday, I mailed to each one of our households, Liturgical Training Publications' booklet entitled, "Understanding the Revised Mass Texts." In addition this booklet was the text for our Lenten groups that meet each week of Lent. These are small groups with a leader and each leader was provided the leader's guide for this text.
On Wednesday April 27th I'll host all of the small groups and anyone else with a parish dinner and a wrap up session on the new translation and try to answer any questions people have.
As far as I can tell, it has been a great hit and people are really eager now to implement the new text this coming Advent. They especially like the fact that the Church has enough confidence in their religious intellect to once again allow them to pray in the Creed "consubtantial" and "incarnate," not to mention "gibbet!"
As well they really appreciated the explanation for the return to "and with your spirit."
For many, this booklet opened their eyes to how poorly translated the current English translation is of the the original Latin. They appreciate that the new English translation will recover the reverence used in the Latin when referring to the Jesus, the saints and the Church. Many feel that Catholics have lost a sense of the sacred not only in their Churches and at Mass but also in their lives at home and elsewhere.
This new translation of the English Mass is a wonderful opportunity for overall liturgical renewal in the Church.
4 comments:
Fr. McDonald, perhaps the positive reaction to this systematic exposure in your parish might be of interest to some of the folks at PrayTell?
I hit the "publish" prematurely. I intended to suggest the possibility of your contributing a PT guest post with the same title:
"THE NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE MASS: MY PARISH LOVES IT AND CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS ADVENT!"
Far, far away from Savannah, my parish (in the same diocese) hasn't heard about it AT ALL. No mention by the priest; no blurb in the bulletin. I am sure he is dreading it or is hoping he will be "retired" by then. I don't know about the rest of the deanery either.
Personally, I can't wait. It's been too long.
Our parish DRE has said she hopes the Lord will take her before the new translation comes into force.
Our parish liturgist recently blogged her belief that kneeling is just not appropriate.
I wish I could find a parish like yours, Father, closer to my home.
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