The Vatican has given its “recognitio,” or statement of acceptance, of the proposed U.S. version of the new edition of the Roman Missal. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) now must decide when to authorize its use in dioceses and parishes in the United States.

In a letter from Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, dated  March 25, 2010,  (Protocol Number 269/10L)  the text of the English translation of the Roman Missal, third edition, has been approved with the required recognitio.

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Questions & Answers regarding the Roman Missal, Third Edition


Q.   What opportunities does the new Missal offer the Church?

A.   Implementing the new Missal will give the Church an opportunity to take a fresh look at its liturgical practice and to renew its celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, which is the "source and summit" of Christian life (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium], no. 11).  The faithful, encountering the Liturgy anew in the new text, can deepen their sharing in Christ's sacrifice, offering their lives to the Father as they worship "in Spirit and in truth" (Jn 4:23).


Q.   Do these changes mean that the old translation was not valid and orthodox?

A.  The current translation was approved by the Conferences of bishops and confirmed by the Holy See.  Until the new text becomes effective, it remains the valid ordinary form of the Liturgy in the Roman Rite.  The revised translation attempts to address some inadequacies in the present translation by introducing a more elevated style of language and by retaining many poetic texts and scriptural allusions.  The current translation fostered the faith of two generations of Catholics and retains a valid place in church history.


Q.   If my parish likes the old translation better, can we continue using that one?

A.   After the Holy See grants the recognitio (which it now has) to the revised translation, the USCCB will establish a date for first use and a date for mandatory use.  No parish may continue to use the current translation after the mandatory use date.  Parishes will need to use the period before the mandatory use date to help parishioners renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the revised translation.


Q.   What will the new Missal mean in my parish?

A.   In the months before the revised translation is implemented, parishes will have to do many things.  The parish will have to replace liturgical books and participation aids.  Priests will practice proclaiming the new texts and will prepare homilies helping the faithful to understand the new translation and to deepen their appreciation for the Liturgy.  The music ministers and the people will learn new musical settings of the parts of Mass (such as the Gloria and the Sanctus).  Catechists and teachers will help parishioners learn the new prayers.  Parishes may also use this opportunity to undertake a thorough re-examination of their liturgical practices.


Q.   What will the process of implementation look like?

A.   Once the recognitio is granted, (which it now has) final preparation and publication of the Missal will commence.  At that time, (currently) catechesis on the new translation and on the Liturgy itself will become even more important.  Training for priests, music ministers, and other liturgical leaders (liturgy committees and liturgical commissions), as well as formation for all Catholics, will help to ensure the successful implementation of the new text.


Q.   Can we start using the texts approved by the bishops immediately?

A.   The translation of the Missale Romanum cannot be used in the celebration of the Mass until the complete text is confirmed by the Holy See.  Once the translation receives the recognitio, (which it now has) the USCCB will establish the first day on which the new translation may be used.  Use of the revised text requires preparation and catechesis for both priests and the faithful.  When the time comes to use the texts in the celebration of the Mass, priests will be properly trained, the faithful will have an understanding and appreciation of what is being prayed, and musical settings of the liturgical texts will be readily available.


Q.  What's new or different about the revised translation?

A.  The style of the translation of the Third Edition is different.  In accord with the rules for translation established by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the style of the original Latin texts more closely, including concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm.  The English used in the Mass texts is more formal and dignified in style.  Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images.

In addition, the Third Edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (or instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.


Q. Who is doing the work of translation?

A.  The process of translating liturgical texts from the original Latin is a highly consultative work done by several groups.  The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) prepares English translations of liturgical texts on behalf of the Conferences of bishops of English-speaking countries.  The USCCB and the other member Conferences receive draft translations of each text and have the opportunity to offer comments and suggestions to ICEL.  Then ICEL proposes a second draft, which each Conference approves and submits to the Vatican for final approval.  Each Conference reserves the right to amend or modify a particular text.

At the Vatican, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments examines the translated texts, offers authoritative approval (recognitio) of the texts, and grants permission for their use.  The translation and review process is guided by the guidelines in Liturgiam Authenticam, issued in 2001, an instruction from the Congregation that outlines the principles and rules for liturgical translation.  In 2007, the Congregation also issued a ratio outlining the specific rules for translation in English.


Q.  Why is there a need for a new translation?

A.  Pope John Paul II issued the third edition of the Missale Romanum (the Latin Text of the Roman Missal) during the Jubilee Year in 2000.  This new edition included many new texts requiring translation.  In addition, the experience of the years since the Second Vatican Council gave rise to a desire for more formal and literal translations of the original Latin texts.  This new translation will employ the best of what we have learned about translation and liturgical language in two generations of celebrating the Liturgy in the vernacular.  It will provide an opportunity to reflect ever more deeply on the Eucharistic celebration that lies at the heart of the Church's life.


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Christina Ronzio, director of the Office for Worship, Diocese of Cleveland answered the following questions regarding the upcoming changes.


Q. What does this mean?

A.  The structure of the celebration of the Mass does not change, the hymns we currently sing won't change, there are no changes that affect the readings proclaimed at Mass.  The prayers and responses we use at Mass will be changing (to some degree) from what we've been using for the past 40 years.  The change is to help bring out the deep scriptural imagery and meaning found in the Latin original.  We have entered what the USCCB is calling the period of "proximate preparation" for receiving the Roman Missal.  This is a period that the USCCB says should be marked by diocesan and parish teams that will study the changes in the Mass text and will help others come to understand the changes.  Sometime in the near, but still unknown, future the revised Roman Missal will be printed and available for sale in the U.S. and on a date to be established by the USCCB, all parishes and dioceses will will begin to use the revised Mass texts.


Q.  What changes will we be seeing?

A.  For the people, changes to:  the greeting "The Lord be with you" we soon will respond "and with your spirit".  The Gloria text is modified, the Holy, Holy and Mystery of Faith texts are changing the response to the invitation to communion "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof".  For the priest:  the structure and language of all the Mass prayers change.  We will hear more scripture in the prayers used at Mass, the language is heightened to reflect in a different way the mystery we celebrate.


Q. When may the Diocese of Cleveland be implementing these changes?

A.  When the USCCB sets an implementation date, it is projected, but not yet confirmed that it will be Advent 2011.  Currently Bishop Lennon has arranged a meeting for priests and deacons with Bishop Arthur Serratelli (chairman of Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship) to learn about the background to the changes and a meeting for priests with Msgr. James Moroney, to learn what the changes will mean for the preparation of the celebrant of the Mass.