May
12
Written by:
Sandra Dooley
5/12/2011 10:40 AM
About a year ago, I had a conversation with a priest friend about the upcoming changes to the texts of the Mass. Like many priests who have been in ministry for 25 to 30 years or more, he was skeptical about the changes and wondered why we are being asked to do this at this particular time. While he would not be one to refuse to make the changes, he certainly had no enthusiasm about it!
Recently, I was at a meeting with this same priest (a meeting about the implementation of The Roman Missal in a parish) and was a little surprised but glad to hear what he had to say. He had listened to some of the recorded Eucharistic Prayers (published by World Library Publications, Prepare and Pray: Eucharistic Prayers I, II, III, IV; narrated by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain) and found the recording to be very helpful in getting a sense of the language and rhythm of the new translation. He also affirmed something that I have believed for a long time—that the new words will provide an opportunity for priests to recite the prayers of the Mass with a renewed sense of care and depth, particularly those priests who are accustomed to rushing through the Eucharistic Prayers and the other parts of the Mass that are not changing. Even though some of the language may sound a bit strange or even stilted at times, praying them out loud will hopefully cause the priest celebrants to slow down and pray the words with more deliberation and care. And the sounds and rhythms of the new words will also (hopefully) bring about more attentiveness from those of us in the pews.
It’s an opportunity that is becoming evident to more and more of us—priests and people alike.