Blogs - Some Initial Thoughts on the Final English Translation

Christopher Carstens
D. Todd Williamson
Sandra Dooley

In Encountering the Words of Christ in the Mass, Christopher Carstens reflects upon the third edition of the Roman Missal, giving particular attention to the changes in the Mass texts.

Christopher Carstens holds a B.A. from the Oratory of St. Philip in Toronto, and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Dallas and a M.A. (Liturgical Studies) from The Liturgical Institute. He is currently the Director of the Office of Sacred Worship for the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he serves as Coordinator of Pontifical Liturgies, liturgical coordinator for the Permanent Deacon formation program, and diocesan Director of RCIA. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Liturgical Institute and a frequent presenter in liturgical conferences and parish education. He is a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy and is married with four children. Mr. Carstens is one of the presenters of Mystical Body, Mystical Voice.

In this blog, Praying, Believing, and Living, D. Todd Williamson discusses the pastoral, spiritual, and ministerial ramifications of the revised English translation of the Roman Missal. Todd's blog is updated every other week.

Todd Williamson is the current Director of the Office for Divine Worship of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is the author of two editions of Sourcebook for Sundays, Seasons, and Weekdays:The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy (2007 and 2008, LTP) and has contributed to subsequent editions. He is also co-author of Bringing Catechesis and Liturgy Together: Let the Mystery Lead You! (2002, TwentyThird Publications), and he has written for numerous periodicals (Rite, Pastoral Liturgy, Catechumenate, and Religion Teacher's Journal).

In addition to writing, he is a teacher and national speaker in the areas of liturgy and the sacraments. He is co-host of the monthly radio program, Focus on the Liturgy, which airs on the fourth Wednesday of every month on Relevant Radio 950 AM, in the Chicagoland area.

Todd has been the director of the Office for Divine Worship for eight years. As such, he has dealt with countless pastoral situations in regards to the liturgy. It is from this unique experience that he writes in this blog: breaking open the English texts and making connections to our spiritual and ministerial lives as people of faith.

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Sandra Dooley moved to Los Angeles in 1999 after 18 years in Orlando, FL. where she spent 10 years as the liturgy director of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, with emphasis in liturgy. She is an experienced church musician, religious educator and liturgist, and has been a committee member, coordinator and/or speaker at local and national conferences.

In June, 2001, Sandra joined the Office for Worship of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as Associate Director. She was Director of the Office from April, 2003 through July, 2009. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) from 2004 until her return to FL in 2009.

Sandy currently serves as the director of liturgy at St. Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park, FL, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

Revised Roman Missal Blogs

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Some Initial Thoughts on the Final English Translation

Aug 23

Written by: Todd Williamson
8/23/2010 3:19 PM

As many know by now, the United States Bishops received from Rome the final English translation of the Roman Missal. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president of the USCCB, announced this news last Friday, August 20, 2010. At the same time, the date of implementation was confirmed: November 27, 2011.

Along with the announcement, the final Order of Mass was posted to the USCCB Web site and changes were confirmed. Some of these changes were known beforehand; for example, we knew that the Creed would include the statement “I believe” a total of four times (rather than just once as had been previously approved).

Other aspects of the English translation were finally made known. For example, we have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of whether or not the familiar “Christ has died” would be allowed as an option for the Memorial Acclamation. Last Friday, that question was finally answered: this particular response will not be included in the English translation of the missal. This means that after November 27, 2011, we will not be using this response.

I suppose I understand the reasoning that has been given: The Memorial Acclamation is meant to be our acclamation to Christ, acknowledging our incorporation into the Paschal Mystery. One can see this in one of the other options, which is almost as familiar as the “Christ has died”:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.

This acclamation (based on Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 11:26) is addressed to Christ. It announces our belief that by partaking in the Eucharist (eating and drinking) we believe in and proclaim Christ’s Resurrection (that he will come again). By partaking in the Eucharist, we announce and affirm our faith that his death was not an end!

It was also made known that changes have been made to the prayer of absolution in the Penitential Act. Included in the texts that had previously received recognitio in 2008, the translation read: “May almighty God have mercy on us and lead us, with our sins forgiven, to eternal life.” With the reception of the final English translation, we now know that those words will remain: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.”

Part of the English translation that was received by the USCCB on Friday is available for review. You can see the Order of Mass on the USCCB Web site.

As has been suggested over and over on this Web site—in all the notices, in all the blogs, etc.—I urge you to go to the USCCB Web site and begin reviewing the English translation. Encourage your whole parish staff to do this. Begin preparing for your parish’s reception of these texts in November of next year.

In the coming months, publishers in this country will receive the final English translation as they prepare it for printing and distribution. As other portions of the texts are made available, we will be able to share them, and our thoughts with you.