In the early part of the 1960s, His Holiness John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, and the very first of the documents published by the Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. One of the major reforms proposed by this Constitution was permission for the celebration of the Mass in the vernacular (the language of the people).
Following the completion of the Council (December 1965), work began on the translation (into English) of the texts used for the celebration of the Mass. In the very short period of four years, this hasty translation was complete, and the Sacramentary which is used for the celebration of Mass to this day was published in 1972. Even at that time though, this text was understood to be a temporary solution, and the intent was to properly study the texts, then prepare a more suitable translation. The original plan was that this study would be completed by 1980, and that a new Sacramentary would be published shortly thereafter.
Like many other things in life, there were a number of delays to this process, and the promised revisions to the English translation have only recently been completed. The revised texts are currently being used in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, and are scheduled to be implemented in the United States of America and Canada beginning with the first Sunday of Advent (November 27) this year.
In preparation for this implementation, priests of the diocese were invited to a two-day workshop which took place on May 24th and 25th of this year. A subsequent workshop was held on May 28th for musicians and parishioners in positions of pastoral leadership. Other workshops are also taking place in the coming weeks in other parts of the diocese.
Many people can attest to the fact that when the English translations of the liturgy were first introduced in the 1970s, there was very little time consecrated to explaining the reasons for the change. The coming months will provide us with a rare opportunity to provide some catechesis about the Liturgy of the Mass, and a chance to deepen our appreciation for the beauty of this liturgy.
According to an ancient belief of the Church, it is through our prayer (specifically the public prayer of the liturgy) that we come to believe. May the next few months be a time of grace for us all.
First printed in the parish bulletin published on June 5, 2011. Watch for more details about the implementation in the coming weeks.
Following the completion of the Council (December 1965), work began on the translation (into English) of the texts used for the celebration of the Mass. In the very short period of four years, this hasty translation was complete, and the Sacramentary which is used for the celebration of Mass to this day was published in 1972. Even at that time though, this text was understood to be a temporary solution, and the intent was to properly study the texts, then prepare a more suitable translation. The original plan was that this study would be completed by 1980, and that a new Sacramentary would be published shortly thereafter.
Like many other things in life, there were a number of delays to this process, and the promised revisions to the English translation have only recently been completed. The revised texts are currently being used in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, and are scheduled to be implemented in the United States of America and Canada beginning with the first Sunday of Advent (November 27) this year.
In preparation for this implementation, priests of the diocese were invited to a two-day workshop which took place on May 24th and 25th of this year. A subsequent workshop was held on May 28th for musicians and parishioners in positions of pastoral leadership. Other workshops are also taking place in the coming weeks in other parts of the diocese.
Many people can attest to the fact that when the English translations of the liturgy were first introduced in the 1970s, there was very little time consecrated to explaining the reasons for the change. The coming months will provide us with a rare opportunity to provide some catechesis about the Liturgy of the Mass, and a chance to deepen our appreciation for the beauty of this liturgy.
According to an ancient belief of the Church, it is through our prayer (specifically the public prayer of the liturgy) that we come to believe. May the next few months be a time of grace for us all.
First printed in the parish bulletin published on June 5, 2011. Watch for more details about the implementation in the coming weeks.
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