Bishops Present Coming Missal Changes

Web Site Aims to Familiarize Catholics With New Text

WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 21, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. bishops’
conference launched a Web site that aims to educate Catholics about
the changes in the Mass that are coming with the new Roman missal
translation.

A press release from the conference announced today that this site
includes background on the liturgical texts, sample wording from the
newly translated missal, and answers to frequently asked questions.

The conference’s Committee on Divine Worship expressed the hope that
this will be a central resource for those responsible for implementing
the text.

The committee chairman, Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, New
Jersey, said in an online introduction to the site: “In the years
since Vatican II we have learned a lot about the use of the vernacular
in the liturgy and the new texts reflect this new understanding.”

He continued: “The new texts are understandable, dignified and accurate.

“They not only strive to make the meaning of the text accessible for
the listener, but they also strive to unearth the biblical and
theological richness of the Latin text.”

Over the past five years, representatives of the bishops’ conferences
from various English-speaking countries have been working on the
translation of the new version of the Roman Missal, issued by Pope
John Paul II during the Jubilee Year 2000.

This November, the last sections will be reviewed and voted on by the
U.S. conference, and will then be sent to the Vatican for the
authoritative approval and permission to use.

The Web site stated that this final approval of the complete text is
anticipated in early 2010.

Bishop Serratelli stated, “We have a great opportunity during this
period not only to learn about the changes, not only to learn about
the revised texts, but also to deepen our own understanding of the
liturgy itself.”

He added, “We encourage priests, deacons, religious, liturgical
ministers, all the faithful to avail themselves of the information
that we are making available.”

The conference is offering a draft text of the new translation, which
cannot be used liturgically but aims to familiarize priests and
faithful with the forthcoming changes.

The Web site underlines the hope “that when the time comes to use the
texts in the celebration of the Mass, priests will be properly
trained, the faithful will have an understanding and appreciation of
what is being prayed, and musical settings of the liturgical texts
will be readily available.”

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On the Net:

Web site: www.usccb.org/romanmissal