Receiving the English translation of  The Roman Missal, Third Edition

Some wisdom, suggestions and recommendations to KEEP IN MIND as we enter this new moment in our liturgical life together…

1.     Take some time to prayerfully prepare (yourself and the texts) before Mass
Practice each prayer aloud—sounds silly, maybe, but try it—you will feel the difference compared to simply reading with your eyes. ALSO, set all your ribbons BEFORE MASS—things will flow more smoothly and the folks will think you know what you are doing.

2.     Pray slowly; use pauses to help the meaning to come across; speak clearly and be mindful of your pacing.

3.     Don't panic if you or the Assembly make some mistakes;
no need to apologize; take a deep breathe and continue the prayer.

4.     No matter what your intentions—don't change any of the words.
(CSL: Constitution on Sacred Liturgy para. 22.3)

5.     Start practicing with your community at least one sung Mass setting for the new texts.  Even though you may have many favorite settings, if they have not been revised, you may NOT use them after November 26, 2011. Order them now; practice, practice, practice.


      New or adapted Mass settings in the new English translation normally includes: Kyrie, Gloria, Alleluia, Sanctus, Mystery of Faith acclamation, Great Amen.—Includes a tune for the DOXOLOGY that the priest must sing— and the  Agnus Dei).

6.  Offer the prayers in a way that favors the people's understanding and engagement.

      “Pastors must therefore realize that when the liturgy is celebrated something more is required than the mere observance of the laws governing valid and lawful celebration, it is also their duty to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what  they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.” (CSL #11). We are in this together; it is our common prayer.

     Join the people for the Gloria, the Creed, the Sanctus, and the Lord's Prayer—but don't let your voice dominate. Unless you have a high-class sound-engineer at Mass, regulate your own microphone by turning it off when you are not the main speaker.  


When you get your MISSAL, go to the very front, find the General Instruction (GIRM). (Page 28 in my LTP version) Find articles 39-41 These paragraphs explain the fact that the most important singing during Mass belongs first of all to all those DIALOGS between priest and people; secondly comes all the parts of the Mass (Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia, Sanctus, etc…) Only then comes the Entrance Song and the Communion song.  This may be a challenge for some communities. 
This is a very different way to appreciating music in our liturgies. 
LET IT BE A CHALLENGE TO YA’!! 
“Sing the Mass” don’t just "Sing At Mass”.

7. These next realities may give you some examen questions about your current mode or method of presiding.

[A.] You have permission to use 'these or similar words' at these moments:
(a.) Form C of the Penitential Act
(b.) Invitation and concluding prayer to the Prayer of the Faithful
(c.) Of course, it works best if you plan them out and write them down.

[B.] You may make adaptations within Mass, only at these moments:

(a.) BRIEF introduction to the Mass 
      (before the Invitation to the Penitential Act)

Brief means about two sentences.

(b.)  At “Form C” of the Penitential Act. Look in Roman Missal, Appendix VI. Note that sample Invocations to Christ are given. The use of the word “sample” indicates that other invocation to Christ may be made as long as they follow the guidance of the samples. Hint: They address Christ in his innumerable titles pointing to his mercy, compassion, and justice.



(c.) BRIEF introduction to the Liturgy of the Word (before the First Reading)  
(d.) BRIEF introduction to the Liturgy of Eucharist 
(before Preparation of the Gifts)
(e.) BRIEF announcements at the end of Mass (after the Prayer after Communion)

[C.] You do NOT have permission to add words or to use other words at these moments: Some of these may surprise you since ad lib variations were often used in these moments across the past 30 years.

(a.) The Sign  of the Cross
(b.) The three given "Liturgical Greetings"
(c.) Invitation to the Penitential Act

(d.) Introduction to the Gloria and the Creed (Hint: there isn't one!)

(e.) The Introduction to the Lord's Prayer (Now reduced to only one choice!)

(f.) Invitation to Holy Communion: “Behold, the Lamb of God…”

(g.) The Dismissal 

Finally, please note that some things are re-arranged in this new Missal. You will benefit from sitting down with the Missal and doing these things:

Try to find items or feasts or anything that interests you in a special way. Simply start at the beginning and page thru the whole book; at the same time, (Yes, multi-task!) make yourself some notes. Some samples of items to look for:

[1] The Sunday Sprinkling with Holy Water and other items are now found in the back of the book in a series of Appendices. Send me other examples to post.

[2] Prefaces for some Solemnities are found printed along with the other proper prayers and antiphons for that day  instead of with all the other prefaces.

[3] Three sets of indices are found at the very end of the book. I’d urge you to add tabs to these sections because there will be days when you are in a very great hurry to find some thing, and a simple flip to these sections will help you out and calm you down.

[4] For example, I expected to find the COMMUNION RITE after all the Eucharistic Prayers—they weren't there! They were AFTER EP-4 and before EP Reconciliation I.

Further up-to-date information:

• Must go to: Paul Turner's website:  www.paulturner.org 
• Simple one-page overview: http://revisedromanmissal.org/Roman_Missal.aspx
• MUST READ BOOK: The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. WITH ONE VOICE: translation and implementation of third edition of Roman Missal. Washington DC:FDLC,2010. ISBN: 978-1-60137-119-5
• Paul Turner: On the Roman Missal.     http://www.paulturner.org/Roman%20Missal.htm
• United States Bishops OFFICIAL teachings:  http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/
• You may enjoy listening to these:  http://www.ocp.org/newmasssettings/freeassemblydownloads
•    http://www.ocp.org/newmasssettings/resources
• Outstanding:  http://www.ltp.org/p-2311-the-order-of-mass-a-roman-missal-study-edition
• Most certainly MUST BUY: At the supper of the Lamb--a pastoral and theological commentary on the Mass, by Paul Turner. Chicago: LTP, 2010   ISBN: 978-1-56854-921-7
• For the Calendar commentaries = Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal, by Paul Turner, Chicago: WLP, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-1-58459-514-4
• The Order of Mass: A Roman Missal Study Edition and Workbook by Fr. Michael Driscoll (Notre Dame)  ISBN:978-1-56854-989-7
• Essential Presidential Prayers and Text A Roman Missal Study Editio and Workbook. By Daniel Merz and Fr. Marcel Rooney OSB. ISBN: 978-1-61671-037-8

There are more....but start here.

• did you want my BLOG? http://smmassmissalmission.blogspot.com/
• did you want Emily Strand's podcast?  http://feeds.feedburner.com/beyondthewordsromanmissal   -- be sure to scroll all the way down and listen to them all...

REMEMBER, you can always go back and re-read past POSTS 

by using the clickable column at the LEFT SIDE of your screen.

The Apostles Creed

In the second edition of the Roman Missal, whenever we said/sung the Creed it was the Nicene Creed.There was also the exceptional use of the Apostles’ Creed allowed at Masses with Children.  Now, with RM3, the Apostles Creed may be used at any time as well. RM3 at #19 states: “Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter Time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostles’ Creed, may be used.”

Notice that the only caveat given at RM3 #19 points to encouraged use in the Lent and Easter seasons of the Apostles' Creed. The fact that RM3 especially encourages its use in those two seasons, makes it clear that the Apostles' Creed may also be used any time the Creed is required.

Both versions of the Creed (cf. GIRM#137) ask us to add the ritual gesture of a BOW FROM THE WAIST when the mystery of the Incarnation—the truth that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity took on our human condition out of love for us. We bow as we come face-to-face with this awesome reality, far beyond our grasp. cf. John 3:16.

++ Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (Apostles’ Creed).

++ And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. (Nicene Creed)

The Apostles’ Creed in RM3 has fewer changes in the translation than the Nicene Creed presents.

These changes affect only a few conjunctions, prepositional phrases, and adjectives.  Though few in number, they can still trip you up unless you use the worship aid to follow along and not try to mumble your way through it.  


Picking up the red worship-aid and finding the page  are essential steps to fulfilling the opportunity to be very intentional about what you are doing, that is, letting your lips, your vocal chords  and your inner  most soul burst forth with the others in the Assembly in PROFESSING your faith.

The Nicene Creed

When Advent comes, we will notice some differences in the words with which we profess our faith.  Here we look at samples from the Nicene Creed:

In this version, the RM3 goes back to translating the belief statement, Credo, in the singular. The Latin always had the singular. Now we re-claim this "I believe" as an opportunity to personalize and interiorize the statements of faith we hold in common

Replacing the words "seen and unseen" the new translation says  "of all things visible and invisible." drawing us to the true mysterious nature of creation. It goes beyond the me-centered view that depends on 'my' sight. God made all things: things visible and invisible. It is not simply a question that "I, myself" can or cannot see them. Indeed, there are spiritual realities.

The "only begotten Son" and "born of the Father before all ages." These texts help us to reflect on a growing, unique relationship between Father and Son. This is not magic; it is relationship.

"Consubstantial with the Father" For some CONSUBSTANTIAL will seem like a very big word; it is brought over from the Latin and emphasizes the unutterably fundamental oneness in nature between Father and Son. Worth meditating on.

"Incarnate of the Virgin Mary" This phrase uses a very precise word to indicate the truth that the eternal Son took on our fleshly existence in the womb of Blessed Mary and with the normal gestation process..

"He suffered death"  The Latin does not contain the verb "to die" and so the new text shows that Jesus suffered the ultimate loss, real death, and that this was overcome by the reality of his resurrection, as attested in the Gospels.

"Who...is adored and glorified." The word who as a transition from the Holy Spirit is non-gender specific and stretches our minds to think about WHO God really is. And our God is worth adoration, that is, a total, other-focused acknowledgement of the divine nature of the elusive Spirit.

"I confess" is a phrase we normally only use with regard to guilt. Here it takes on the sense of those Martyrs who confessed their faith by giving their blood.  Our acknowledgement  of God is so strong that we profess our faith not only with words but with our whole self.

"I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead." This is a very bold statement, resounding with confidence.

AMEN.

Coming Next,

new words in the Apostles Creed.

….Watch for comments on the Apostles Creed….

New Roman Missal: now in my hand...

LTP may have been the first of the publishers to dispatch their editions of the
English translation of the ROMAN MISSAL v3.  Maybe it is because the University of Dayton Campus Ministry made such a large order: one for each of the chapels, and one for each Campus Minister who regularly work with and plan out of the Missal.

I was warned that  I would be confused by the ordering of the sections. However, for the most part, it seems to me that RM3 follows the order we are used to in RM2/Sacramentary with these three exceptions:

1. The Communion Rite follows Eucharistic Prayer 4. Then, after the Communion Rite comes the rest of the Eucharistic Prayers, namely, Reconciliation 1, Reconciliation 2, and the four variations of Eucharistic Prayers for Various needs. I expected to find the Communion Rite after ALL the EP's and not in the middle of the bunch.
2. There is no Table of Contents in the front but there is a rather complete Index at the very end of the book. Hint: I added my own four tabs for quick reference to these very helpful pages.
3. Not all of the prefaces are printed in one place as was the custom of previous English language Missals (Sacramentaries). Some prefaces are printed along with the other prayers and texts proper to that day. I have not had time to go through and note if I see a pattern in this usage.

I will add more comments as I have time to make more notes and as others point things out to me.

At this point I would also like to direct you  to a very helpful book: Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal by Fr. Paul Turner, STD.  This book gives two pages to every Sunday and Solemnity of the Year. Fr. Paul gives an overview of the non-Scriptural texts of the day, viz. Entrance Antiphon, Collect etc. He also gives indications of the source material that forms each item. Included too are suggested introductions and concluding prayers for the Prayer of the Faithful for the A-B-C cycles of the Sunday texts. If you are ordering by phone or online it would be handy to have the ISBN #978-1-58459-514-4. If you are not familiar with World Library Publications you owe it to yourself to check their website for many treasures: http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/about_us.htm . You can also browse their newest products including RM3 specific materials: http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/browse.htm

More later.
If you have recommendations, drop me a line.

The GLORIA

The Gloria, rooted in the Song of the Angels (Luke 2:14), has been sung in common worship since very early ages, first at Morning Prayer, then, in the Mass. It includes elements of praise, thanks, acknowledgement and pleas for God’s loving-kindness. .


The GLORIA is often referred to as a hymn, though it is not structured with rhyming  lines, as we generally expect in a hymn.


If it seems longer than usual: you’re right! While the Latin in both RM2 and RM3 is the same for the Gloria, the different styles of translation can be seen in comparing the texts.


 The current translation, (RM-2), for the sake of poetic flow, re-arranged some phrases and combined what they considered duplication. RM-3, following the strict, literal translation method, gives all of the variations of praise and petition. 


Despite their translation differences, the 3-fold structure of the Gloria remains in both versions: [a] Glory, praise, adoration to God, Peace to all on earth; [b] expressions of confidence in Jesus our Savior and  desire for forgiveness; finally, [c] a return to giving praise to the Most Holy Trinity.


It is filled with "acknowledgement vocabulary" which would probably be good to add to our own prayer-life, if it lacks much praise. 

• Praise, Bless, Adore, Glorify, ...give You thanks...,
• Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

In some ways, praise is more difficult than thanks.  In praise, the entire focus is on the Other.  In thanks, there is still a little bit of the self: while we acknowledge God as the source of all gifts, part of us is focused on what we got out of it.


Praying the Gloria balances us. It stretches our ability to focus on the Holy One without reference to self; and yet it incorporates our undeniable need to depend on God's mercy, strength and forgiveness.

SAINTS OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

There are many new Saints given days in the Liturgical Calendar.  J. Michael Thompson has written a new book to help you appreciate more of the diversity amongst us.

Learn about new saints, pray with their stories, and sing your praise! This collection of 16 saints are newly included in the third edition of the Roman Missal. 

NOTE: J Michael Thompson has written prayers and a hymn text about each saint, set to familiar melodies to support your prayer as you reflect on the lives of these holy witnesses. Inspire your own journey of faith as you sing and pray with the saints!

ISBN:  9780764821035
Author: J.Michael Thompson
Publisher:  LIGUORI

WHAT IS THE ROMAN MISSAL...?

Mass, Missal, and Mission--Blog to help Marianists prepare for the new translation of the Missal.

The simple answer: The Roman Missal names the BOOK containing all the PRAYERS needed for the priest and people to celebrate the Eucharist, i.e., the Mass. To call it the ROMAN MISSAL indicates that this book belongs to the LATIN (or ROMAN) RITE of the Catholic Church.  In the Catholic Church there are a variety of RITES, sometimes referred to as CHURCHES.

A more complicated issue lies in the fact that the Catholic Church exists around the world (catholic, universal). In addition to those Churches (ecclesial realities) that are West of Rome, there are those that are EAST of Rome. Sometimes these churches are referred to as ORIENTAL Churches. The designation ORIENTAL is confusing to some people, because in modern speech ORIENTAL refers to the FAR EAST (like China and Japan). Within Catholic documents, Oriental points to all those Churches with roots in the Mediterranean basin and East of that.

In the West, there are three extant Rites: the Latin or Roman (largest  of them all), The Ambrosian (usage within the Archdiocese of Milan), and the Mozarabic (usage within a limited area of Spain). In the East, there are many other RITES. Depending on how you group them, you can count as many as 20.

(cf. http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm )

Catholics use the word RITE in two senses: 1) the various “ceremonies” celebrated in the liturgy. For example, baptism has a rite (ritual) to be followed in order to properly celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Further, there are rites for the conferral of blessings and for a variety of  other occasions as may be found the BOOK OF BLESSINGS or the PONTIFICAL (a book used for rites reserved to the Bishop). 2) The other use of the word RITE refers to a branch within the Catholic Church that has its own complete set of rites (as explained in this same paragraphh at # 1) and has been in use for many (usually more than a thousand) years. As mentioned, one Western rite is the Ambrosian Rite.  They too have a Missal: The Ambrosian Missal.  The structure of their Missal is very similar to our Roman Missal. However, if you examine it closely you will see that their Liturgical Year (calendar) is similar but different.  If you look up a Feast day that we hold in common, you will see that the prayers are different. Even the ORDER OF MASS has differences from the ways we celebrate Mass according to the ROMAN RITE. The Ambrosian Rite has some different eucharistic prayers than the ROMAN RITE. Most striking is the fact that the Ambrosian Missal has well more than double the number  of PREFACES for the Eucharistic Prayer; some based on themes; some rooted in particular feast days

Remember, the church spread “out to all the world” in an age where they had no printed bible or catechism or ritual books. These were the days before printing press, before the internet, before radio and TV. So as the Gospel spread and Christian communities developed, the “basics” existed in different but similar forms.  Each church also developed their own texts and customs across the centuries.  If you are interested in the great Catholic heritage of the East I would recommend….

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/index.htm

Now that we have a context and perspective, let’s go back to the basics about the Roman Missal, in its new typical edition and translation.

In the long history of the Church there have been many forms and editions of the Roman Missal.   You may have noticed that this current book is being referred to as the third Typical Edition. This means that the first typical edition of this Missal was the one put out following upon the Directives from the Second Vatican Council.  There were many changes in that Missal because of the revision of the Church year and the introduction of a three-year cycle Sunday Lectionary; and a two year cycle weekday Lectionary, thus fulfilling the desire that the scriptures be opened more lavishly to God's holy people.

While many, many prayers from the long Western Tradition were retained or adapted to the new ways of naming liturgical days; there were also some new compositions. The biggest surprise to many was the fact that we went from only one Eucharistic prayer for the previous 400 years to four prayers. Furthermore, at the time of the Second Typical Edition that number jumped higher with the introduction of the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children and the two Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation.  

The Latin edition of the Roman Missal is called the TYPICAL EDITION because all other languages are to translate from this authentic Missal as accurately and beautifully as they can. The second EDITIO TYPICA was promulgated March 27, 1975.  This is the book that we have been using these last thirty some years. The second edition took advantage of the usage of time; some texts were corrected, others added or moved. While very competent scholars were charged with translating this immensely large book; they were also under a time crunch. The Catholic faithful across the English speaking world had begun to taste the joy of celebrating the sacred mysteries in their own language and they wanted to deepen that experience.  Now, with the Third Editio Typica we have reached a new level of maturity and found that it was time to examine some of the translating methods; it now falls to us to put our best efforts into celebrating the Sacred Mysteries together. 

There have been many editions of the Roman Missal to this point in time, and there will be further emendations and translations in the future.  Our task is to put our best efforts into the praying of the text and the singing of the many parts of the Mass. Many beautiful new settings have already been published and we can be certain that there will be many that we will enjoy singing, will unite us with our singing neighbor, and will lift us all up more closely to the Lord, if only we can be open to the changes.


Finally, keep in mind that all liturgical books, since Vatican II (including the Roman Missal, Third typical edition), consists in two main divisions:

• (1.) The General Instruction which gives both (a) the theological insruction on the meaning and shape of the Sacrament or Ritual at hand, and (b) a detailed explanation of the ritual actions for the celebration.
• (2.) The prayers and other texts that compose the Rite at hand

For the Mass, the first section is called "The General Instruction of the Roman Missal" [aka GIRM] and the rest of the book, The Missal proper, containing the vast amount of pages needed to print the prayers and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass for every possible occasion.

Reading the GIRM and following its instruction is an essential step  to an authentic, knowledgeable, fruitful as well as valid and licit celebration of the Mass.

Some helps to SINGING THE MASS, instead of singing AT Mass.

http://www.npm.org/Chants/index.html

If you wish to submit further topics: Jerry.Chinchar@gmail.com

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

# 1

How will we learn the new words of the new Translation of the Roman Missal?

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has prepared a red booklet to assist us in transitioning from the Mass texts we know by heart to the new mandated texts. These red booklets will also contain music for the singing of various responses and ordinary parts like the Glory To God, Holy HOLY HOLY and various other acclamations. The five musical settings were determined by the Archdiocesan Music committee after review over one hundred settings. Be sure to pick one up at the church door as you arrive for Sunday Mass each week. 

Unfortunately, because of copyright agreements, this booklet can not be sold to persons outside of this jurisdiction. However, most of the Catholic music publishers are offering something similar.

 Check these sites:

(1) OCP presents a very similar booklet that will find inside the back cover of your current hymnal:   http://www.ocp.org/products/30102300

(2)  World Library presents a booklet that contains the NEW words of the Mass and complete Order of Mass including changes from The Roman Missal and our best-selling Mass setting by Steve R. Janco: Mass of Redemption. 
SEE: http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/12118.htm

# 2

Since UD is not a parish as such, can we simply continue with texts and music we already know?

Yes, it is true that the University of Dayton's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and other campus chapels do not have the status of "parish."  However, the new edition of the Missal and its translation belongs to the whole, polyglot Church. Catholics, in all English speaking countries, will have the same translation to help us realize that we are all in this together and that this new edition of the Roman Missal, used in local languages all over the world, provides us all with an opportunity to review, re-invigorate, and deepen our appreciate of the great Mystery of Christ that we touch whenever we "DO" the liturgy together. The new Missal in its English translation goes into effect on the First Sunday of Advent November 26-27, 2011. All current and older Sacramentaries may be recycled that day.

# 3 

When can I purchase the new Missal?

ANSWER: You can purchase the new Missal now with a guaranteed arrival date some time in the first week of October, depending on the publisher.

You absolutely need it by  November 25 because the new Missal goes into full effect on the First Sunday of Advent; this includes the Masses for the First Sunday of Advent which may be anticipated on November 26, 2011. From that day, only the new Missal and its new translation may be used. This implies that current, well-known, sung Mass settings can no longer be licitly used.

A word to the wise: start learning one Mass setting now.

I would urge all members of the Marianist Province of the United States to learn the Mass of St. Frances Cabrini by Kevin Keil. It is very very singable and easy to learn. Can be done a cappella, with organ or piano or guitar; it can be done with a small congregation or with a big church, big choir and multiple instruments, not unlike Mass of Creation.  If we all learn this one outstanding Mass, when we come together for common celebration our singing can be stronger and more easily faith-filled.

SEE:   http://www.ocp.org/newmasssettings/newsettings/stfrancescabrini

Yes, the US Bishops have authorized the use of the SUNG ordinary parts (not the dialogs) in order to make the Full Transition on the First Sunday of Advent easier. The new Missal expects that the "Ordinary" parts will normally be sung, not recited. However, during this time period, if you recite these parts you must use the current translation. If you sing them you MAY use the new translation and music. The new Mass setting (texts and music) go into full effect on the First Sunday of Advent. Get those recycle bins ready for a big influx of current Mass settings since they will no longer be permitted. All the major publishers have many new Mass settings to choose from.  Consult your local Diocesan Music Commission for recommendations.

The Sung Ordinary Parts include: The Gloria, Sanctus, Mystery  of Faith acclamation, Great Amen, and Lamb of God.




For a second setting, learn the simple chant that is embedded within the Missal. This will be perfect for ordinary weekdays, when the energy level is not high. (The Chant setting is easy and will most probably be used in a lot of situations across the entire English speaking world.) Every publisher will have this available in some for. Check you favorite website for pricing and order  information.

# 4

Where can I purchase the new translation of the ROMAN MISSAL now, so that we can have the opportunity to practice the texts well before the mandated date arrives?

Answer 4:

First off, all the books have the exact same content. When you shop, you are looking for particular kinds of things that you desire in a book including: readable and beautiful fonts, good paper, kind of binding, material for the cover and so forth. Pay attention to what is and is not mentioned in the advertisements. Caveat emptor. 

Secondly, If you have a Religious Goods or Church Supply Store in your area you can shop there.  You can also shop on-line, if you want more choices and better prices. Most companies are offering a discount if you order before a certain date. Each company seems to have a slightly different cut off date for the price break. You often find better deals on-line than in-store.

For myself, I am impressed with the book that Magnificat Magazine is offering.

See their web-page. Read about the ways they seem to be paying attention to details in the binding process, like the wonderfully bound liturgical books of the 1950’s.

http://www.magnificat.com/romanmissal/index.asp  

A good number of Brothers have told me that they have ordered the Missal from Liturgical Press at Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville MN.  Liturgical Press has a  long treasured history as trusted publishers of  both liturgical books as well as  theology and spirituality books. Check out their website to see if their edition meets your needs. The  artwork within the book has been provided Benedictine Brother Martin Erspamer, who for a long time was a Marianist (Bro. Steve).

See:  http://www.litpress.org/Features.aspx?ID=149

Others are saying that they like the one being produced by LTP.
Read up on it and see what  you think:

   http://revisedromanmissal.org/

This is a very well done web-site.  Even if you do not want their edition of the Missal, you can find many resources here for learning more about the Missal, with pull-down tabs for News, Resources, other Blogs, and workshops.

I know that many of you use the books published by CATHOLIC BOOK. I, myself, am not impressed with their editions, especially layout and font face. However, my friend, Tom Cousineau, owner of Henningers Religious Goods in Cleveland, insists that they have the best bindings. Your choice.

http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/ShowProduct.aspx?ProductID=845&DepartmentID=88

Are there other questions…..mailto:jerry.chinchar@gmail.comsituations across the entire English speaking world.

Introducing the new educational Blog:
Mass, Missal, and Mission Blog to help Marianists prepare for the new translation of the Missal.

I had an inspiration. At least, it seems like an inspiration and I don’t get those everyday. So this is the beginning of a BLOG in preparation for the full implementation of the ROMAN MISSAL, editio typica 3, in its new English translation.  I want to encourage you to to drop me a line with questions that you think would be helpful for your local assembly to be more deeply engaged in the Liturgy and to pay more attention to parts of the Mass that may have been neglected in various ways.  Jerry.chinchar@gmail.com

As you know, the Missale Romanum—Editio Typica 3 [the Latin original] of the (new) Roman Missal was revised around 2002 to include some of the new Saints created under the auspices of JP2. The revised Editio Typica also changed a number of rubrics (official church law with regard to the “doing” of the Eucharistic liturgy).  We might consider some of them as a tightening up because of perceived abuses and we might consider some of them as expanding various usages.  Nonetheless, “rubrics”  are much more than “suggestions” and we would do well to understand what they are really inviting us into. Thus, I would encourage all of you “out there” to read the GIRM (General Instruction on the Roman Missal).  Please, Don’t think of the GIRM as primarily a rulebook. Rather, think of it as a helpful explanation of why we do certain things in the liturgy and of the various ways it invites us all to a fuller, deeper, more focused and aware participation in the divine mystery of our salvation. You can find it on-line [see link-1 below], or you can purchase it from Amazon.com [see link-2 below].  

Don't forget: The Roman Missal developed over a long, long history, starting with the era before internet, before word processing, before instant messaging, and even before the Printing press.

The Roman Missal is a great treasure for us because it contains prayers that transcend the ages; prayers which give voice to our common faith.  LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI. That is a treasured expression in Latin which Basically communicates the principle: The way we pray in the Liturgy expresses the way we believe; thus, the way we believe gets expressed in the way we pray together.  The “we” must be understood in the bigger picture: WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AS A UNIVERSAL CHURCH.

So, I am starting this little BLOG, to help the readers, (primarily my Marianist family: the Society of Mary, the Marianist Sisters, and the many lay Marianists), to enter more fully into the sacred action together with Catholic Sisters and Brothers AROUND THE WORLD. 

We walk the journey of faith together, each of our communities being attentive like Mary and attentive and responsive to “do whatever He tells us.”  One of the things he is telling us these days, I think, is that we belong to the Church and our celebration of the Eucharist makes the fullest sense when are truly in communion with the Church as the Body of Christ. Christ who reveals the Father (the visible image of the invisible God) and who —by our baptism—shares his divine life with us, nourishing and strengthening us each day as we come together in praise and thanksgiving, renewing our “yes” to “follow Lamb wherever he goes.”

Because there was hardly any catechesis done about the great liturgical prayer tradition of the Church back around 1970 when we first went to an English liturgy, more and more people across the USA are realizing that this is an opportunity to learn more, to participate more fully, and to let the Lord who gathers us together also send us forth to live the Mission of Love and Salvation.

Across these past forty years, there were many misunderstandings about the parts of the Mass and their meaning; thus, there were many good-willed but mistaken “adjustments” to the liturgical texts and movements. Sometimes we did not understand the true role of music and singing nor did we understand or enter into the common gestures that would help participation to be full, active and CONSCIOUS. A new opportunity presents itself to us now.

The new edition of the Missal (in its English translation) gives us a new opportunity to come to appreciate more completely the parts of the Liturgy which may have been excluded from our conscious participation.  Every human endeavor gets criticism of various kinds. This Blog does not have as a goal a focus  on the deficiencies of the new translation. Rather, I will try to point out "teachable moments"  embedded within the  Missal so that praying the Liturgy together can  be a more deliberate, significant, and meaningful experience, nourishing and strengthening us to embrace more fully our Baptismal identity as disciples of Jesus, as his very Body sent out in MISSION to our broken world.

So, while the Scriptures for any one liturgy are indeed important—and it is praiseworthy to concentrate on them—for our participation to be full we need to enter meaningfully into the sung dialogs, the prayers and the common gestures more deeply as well so that our covenant with the Lord might truly lead us out from Mass into Mission.

For music, it will mean--in some places—the putting aside of many favorite or well-known Mass-settings, taking more practice, placing less dependency of recorded music or simply passive listening; and in other places, it will mean expanding repertoire to be more congruent with the liturgy of the day and season, especially for the proper daily responsorial psalm, and the sung eucharistic acclamations, all of which have new texts.

I'm going to do this BLOG in two ways:

1) Sometimes as a FAQ: questions which have come and which may come up.

Among the changes your assembly will experience are:

* new wordings in familiar dialogs

* new texts for the MYSTERY OF FAITH ACCLAMATION (and the elimination of many old favorites;
* a new appreciation of what “progressive solemnity” means; what are the spots that the liturgy always expects song, and the fact that there are moments within the liturgy that have great urgency for singing and other moments that require less.

This may feel like going thru a conversion experience for some. Being inn this together as Church implies that we can't be Frank Sinatra with the Liturgy  (“I want it my way.”).

2) I will give cross references to sites on the internet that I have found to be helpful and insightful about the great prayer tradition in the Roman Rite.

FINAL NOTE for today:

• Sometimes I will compose an answer to the question at hand; 
• Sometimes I will give a cross reference to something on the web that I think addressees the issue well.

I encourage you to drop me a line with questions that you think would be helpful in your local assembly.  It would be  helpful to me if you tell me what parts were  particularly meaningful for you. Hopefully, the texts and links I provide will bring a realization that the efforts we put into the Liturgy, day by day, are worth it.

Grace and Peace to you!

FR. JERRY

[1] http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html

[2] http://www.amazon.com/General-Instruction-Congregation-Discipline-Sacraments/dp/157455543X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315249508&sr=8-1

ALONG SIDE of this booklet,
I would recommend this very helpful commentary:

http://www.amazon.com/General-Instruction-Roman-Missal-1969-2002/dp/0814629369/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1315249508&sr=8-3

Another Shared Resource:
You-Tube like videos from a scholar Jesuit
about implementing the RomanMissal in our communities and apostolates.  Very Helpful!

While they may complain a bit about them, Marianists usually have admiration for Jesuits who share insights, do heroic ministry, or write outstanding articles.

Fr. John Baldovan, SJ, from Boston College, speaks from the heart to his Jesuit confreres about the new translation of the Missal and how they might deal with the changes in both rubrics and prayer texts.

Check out these five short videos.  I think you will resonate with the concerns and get something out of John’s information and insights. I think you will find him both engaging and interesting.

This is a five part series with each segment taking about 3 minutes.

Fr. John Baldovan, SJ with Five short flicks about “How to treat the new Missal”     http://www.jesuit.org/index.php/2011/05/31/video-series-offers-insight-and-assistance-in-transition-to-new-translation-of-roman-missal/

Grace and Peace to you!

  JERRY