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.
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.
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)
(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).
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.
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:
“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”.
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”.
[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.
Further up-to-date information:
There are more....but start here.
(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.
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.
(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
(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.
[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.
