Columnist's advice on preparing for revised Roman Missal: Don't panic!

In the July 10 issue of OSV Newsweekly, now available for viewing at www.osv.com, a reader asked Pastoral Answers columnist Msgr. M. Francis Mannion his opinion on the best way that Catholics can prepare for the implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, which is coming to a parish near us all beginning Nov. 27. Here is what Msgr. Mannion, who is a priest and theologian in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, had to say:

The first piece of advice I give people is: Don’t panic! I fear that the introduction of the revised Missal is being overly hyped by some organizations and publications and is leading people to expect a revolution in the Church’s liturgical life. No such revolution will materialize, and most changes in the new translation have to do with the prayers of the priest, not of the people.

Every parish should be undertaking some forms of preparation of the people for the new Missal, either at the announcement period at the end of Mass or by offering special adult education sessions. The best way to prepare is to continue to participate in the Mass as it is, attend any explanatory parish sessions and reflect on what the priest says about the revised Missal.

Read his entire column.

Revealing beauty of the revised Roman Missal

"To honor the glory of God through artistic beauty." That is the goal of Magnificat's version of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, said the publishing house's deputy publisher in a recent interview with ZENIT. Here is some of what Roman Lizé told ZENIT:

"Our goal, was simply to help our priests pray in beauty as they celebrate Mass. Of course, when a priest celebrates he does not see all of this, but he knows it is there, and it affects the way he says Mass.

"It is a bit like celebrating in a beautiful church or a cathedral: the priest does not spend his time looking around, but he is aware of the beauty of the architecture surrounding him, and it has a subtle yet real way of permeating his liturgical action."

Read the rest of the story.

Meanwhile, The Catholic Truth Society, the British publisher of the revised Roman Missal, announced on its CTS Catholic Compass blog that its version of the Missal was used in celebration of Mass for the first time last Friday during a clergy conference.

Roman Missal implementation tips from the USCCB

In its June/July update on the revised Roman Missal, the USCCB's Committee on Divine Worship offers the following tips on how parishes can be getting ready for the new English translation of the Roman Missal from July to September:

General suggestions

• Introduce resource materials to musicians, catechists, teachers, lectors, and other ministers.
• Train ministers for specific responsibilities.
• Practice new music.
• Complete all ministerial/leadership preparatory work and begin to focus on catechesis and preparation with parishioners.

Specific suggestions

• Invite a locally or nationally known liturgical composer to lead an evening of reflection and music for your parish volunteers. Invite other area parishes to co-sponsor the event.
• Include all those involved in catechizing about the Roman Missal in the blessing of catechists on Catechetical Sunday.
• Host a training session for all extraordinary ministers of holy Communion — including those who do home, hospital, and prison visits-to go over changes in the prayers. Also, provide them with print or online resources so that they can answer any questions about the changes that may arise during their visits.

Find more implementation tips in "Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal, Third Edition."

Bishops allow for new music settings to be introduced before rest of revised Missal

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released the following news release this morning, based on their spring meeting, which is taking place in Seattle:

USCCB President Authorizes Gradual Introduction of Musical Settings of New Roman Missal Starting In September

Modification will help people learn new parts, ease implementation

BELLEVUE, Washington—Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Divine Worship, announced that diocesan bishops may permit the gradual introduction of the musical settings of the people’s parts of the Mass from the new Roman Missal in September. Primarily this affects the the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Memorial Acclamations.

This variation to the implementation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, set to take place all at once on November 27, was authorized by USCCB president, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, and adopted by the committee to allow parish communities to learn the various parts of the new translation “in a timely fashion and an even pace.”

The Committee on Divine Worship made the decision in response to requests from several bishops, echoed by the National Advisory Council. Some suggested that the various acclamations could be more effectively introduced throughout the fall, so that when the full Missal is implemented on the First Sunday of Advent, the congregation will have already become familiar with the prayers that are sung.

“I ask you to encourage this as a means of preparing our people and helping them embrace the new translation,” Archbishop Gregory told the bishops. The announcement took place June 16, during the U.S. bishops Spring Assembly near Seattle.

Five books to help you delve more deeply into the Mass, plus a bonus suggestion

In the June 26 issue of OSV Newsweekly, Catholic blogger Eric Sammons profiles five recently released books that help Catholics delve deeper into the "source and summit" of our faith — the Mass. Sammons explains that the books can "refocus our attention on the Mass and its place in the authentically Catholic life." That's especially important as English-speaking Catholics prepare for the implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, to go into effect Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.

The five books are:

• “The Essential Guide to Catholic Prayer and the Mass” by Mary DeTurris Poust
• “Study Guide for The Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn
• “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy,” by Edward Sri
• “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper” by Brant Pitre.
• “The Eucharistic Prayer: A User’s Guide,” by Barry Hudock

Read Sammons' entire story.

As Sammons noted, there a several worthy books available for Catholics to deepen their participation in the Mass. Another title, "Lectio Divina Bible Study: The Mass in Scripture," by Stephen J. Binz, uses the ancient practice of lectio divina to provide 30 lessons on the Eucharist, leading individuals and groups through listening, understanding, reflecting, praying and acting Scripture passages. According to Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., the book "is an insightful resource for individual and group study by Catholics who wish to further their understanding of the biblical roots of the Mass and the meaning of the upcoming changes in the Mass prayers."

Roundup: Dioceses get ready for Missal revisions

With less than six months to go before the revised Roman Missal will be introduced the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, dioceses throughout the country are working to get the faithful ready for the changes. Here are a few examples of recent developments:

• The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has launched a new website dedicated to the revisions, with links to articles and resources: Check out www.archspm.org/departments/worship/roman-missal.php
• The Archdiocese of Anchorage is offering a two-hour class several times throughout this summer on the new English translation, led by a deacon. See story.
• The Diocese of El Paso, Texas, is preparing workshops this fall for laity and musicians about the changes. See story.

How has your diocese and/or parish prepared you and other faithful for the changes?

Preview of Canadian edition of new Roman Missal

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering a first look at the Roman Missal edition for Canada on its website. Glenn Byer, director of publications for the Canadian bishops' conference, details all that went into the creation of the Missal, pointing out that the words of Pope Benedict XVI spoken at his 2005 Mass of inauguration — "There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ." — have served as an inspiration to the bishops' conference during the entire process. Byer writes:

There is nothing more beautiful than the contents of the prayers and antiphons. The instructions that the CCCB received from the Holy See made it clear: the words are what matter. Any illustrative art in the Roman Missal needs to be in the service of the liturgy, in service of the text. The words of Jesus at the Last Supper, the quotes from the Psalms and the allusions to the Scriptures: these are the “stars” of the book. This is the vision from Rome which has been shared among the staff of the Publications Service by the leadership of the CCCB. What we are producing is in full accord with the directives of the Holy See, and follows the example of the Latin edition of the Missale Romanum published by the Vatican Publications Service. The Canadian edition will use two-colour art on the same paper as the rest of the Roman Missal, and this will support and enhance the words on the page.

In his statement, Byer also points out that "from the designers and layout team, to the harvesting of sustainable wood for pulp, to the paper manufacturers, to the printers, to the binding, tabs and ribbons, to the boxes and the shipping, the entire process is Canadian."

Read the entire statement.

Vatican Radio interview on Roman Missal revisions

Today, Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges interviewed ICEL executive director Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth on the hows and whys of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, which will be introduced at English-speaking Masses on Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.

Msgr. Wadsworth told Vatican Radio that while there will be apprehension among some of the faithful in implementing the changes, he added there is "a richer use of the vocabulary of faith ... by which we express what we truly believe" in the new translation.

Listen to the interview.

Chatting about Missal revisions with 'The Catholics Next Door'

Dave Dziena, OSV parish acquisitions editor, will discuss resources that individuals and parishes can use to prepare for the upcoming revisions to the Roman Missal with Greg and Jennifer Willits on their "Catholics Next Door" show on The Catholic Channel (Sirius Satellite Channel 129 and XM Satellite Channel 129) at 11:20 a.m. Eastern time Thursday, June 9.

During their 20-minute chat, Dave will tell Greg and Jennifer about the pew card Our Sunday Visitor is offering (at right) to help parishioners familiarize themselves with the revised prayers, which will be used beginning Nov. 27, as well as other catechetical resources, such as "Catholic Parent Know-How" to help parents get their kids ready for the revisions.

Also on the radio, Jimmy Akin will discuss his forthcoming "Mass Revision" book at 6 p.m. Eastern time June 13 on "Catholic Answers LIVE."

Praise for British bishops' letter on Missal

In a column on the UK's Catholic Herald website, former Herald editor and longtime journalist William Oddie weighs in on the pastoral letter on the revised Roman Missal recently released by the bishops of England and Wales, saying it "represents a whole revolution of thought, one which, if it is sustained and nurtured over the years, could lead to a renewal of the English and Welsh Church." In his column, Oddie notes the forthrightness of the bishops in acknowledging that the current translation is "theological inadequate":

The bishops are saying that the “style of language and expression” of the Mass we now have doesn’t itself draw us into the transcendent and divine. That’s not to say that during Mass we aren’t so drawn: but that’s because, for all its failings, the Novus Ordo in English is still a valid Mass; we know that and so can be drawn into its reality, the reality that because of the celebration we are attending we will truly receive Christ’s Body and Precious Blood.

But the language that contains this reality has not been worthy of it. And there has been a very good reason for that: its intention was precisely not to draw us into the transcendent and the divine. Why? Because the underlying intention of the translators was deeply corrupted by the immanentist heresy, the heresy by which the Church in the 20th century has been repeatedly assailed: the philosophy which Pius X saw off for a time in Pascendi, and which has underlain all the various modernisms which have afflicted the Church during the 20th century: the heresy which precisely does not want us to be drawn “into the transcendent and divine” because it is only within mankind itself that salvation is to be found.

Read the entire column.