The Catholic Church did a major overhaul of the mass back in 1965 with Vatican II. I wasn't around for the old "latin mass" so the changes never had a major effect on me. The mass has been pretty much the same all my life.Now U.S. bishops have approved a new English translation for the Mass so that it adheres more closely to its Latin roots. It's a sort of of changing the changes
If approved by the Vatican, it would be the most significant changes to mass since parishioners began worshipping in English instead of Latin following the Second Vatican Council. It's in an effort to satisfy Vatican calls for a more accurate translation of mass -- the Sunday ritual that is the center of Catholic worship.
Twelve of the 19 texts spoken by Catholics during mass, including the Nicene Creed, the Gloria, the Penitential Rite, the Sanctus and Communion, would be changed. That's some major changes!
The Vatican recently issued updated guidelines for the translation of the Latin texts at the root of mass that aim not only for accuracy but also for "a deeper language that's more expressive and more poetic".
If you have never attended a Catholic Mass this may be hard to comprehend. Catholc around the world worship in exactly the same way as part of the worldwide church. The only difference being the mass is said in the local language.
Some of the proposed changes are:
Exchanges between priests and parishioners that now say "The Lord be with you" / "And also with you" would become "The Lord be with you" / "And with your spirit."
The Act of Penitence, in which parishioners confess that they have sinned "through my own fault," would include the lines "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault."
In the Nicene Creed, the opening words "We believe" would become "I believe."
Early in the Eucharistic Prayer, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might" would become "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of hosts."
Before Communion, the prayer "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you" would become "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof."
Before the Mass changes at the parish level, the American bishops' version must go to offices in the Vatican for final approval.
6 comments:
If you have never attended a Catholic Mass this may be hard to comprehend.
I suppose ... but I do have a sincere question... and a comment.
Why is there no room/oppportunity for individual expression of worship other than from those who preside over the Mass?
Why must the worship be prescribed and unchanged?
Doesn't God want a fresh expression of thanks, praise and adoration? Is that what is typified in the picture we have from the OT in the Firstfruits Offering?
God expects our freshest best (if I can make up an expression)!
There is room for such. The Mass is designed to fully involve every person in attendence through all the senses.
There are private prayers and intentions.
Jesus did tech us how to pray and told us "do this in memory of me" when it comes the eurcharist. So there are things that we are to maintain in addition to indiviual epression of worship.
In addition to what Powerball spoke of regarding the Catholic Mass: we sing different hymns every Sun. and read scripture at each Mass. I feel God knows that all of us who worship him give him their "freshest best."
Ok. Thanks. I didn't mean to imply that Catholics, generally, don't give the freshest best, but was wondering how that happens seeing as I have not attended a Mass per se.
I believe it vital to open the service up to the leading of the Holy Spirit to choose who He would to be the mouth piece of the congregation -- in addition to what is conveyed privately.
I'm not sure what you mean by "mouthpiece". We pray together and we have our own private prayers.
The priest is our shepard in our worship. He presents the gospel and teaches from the scripture.
We also have two other scripture reading every week from members of the congrrgation. They read scripture but do not directly teach.
I guess you would say that the pope is the "mouthpiece" if you will for the entire worldwide congregation.
Don't think of it just as individual local worship. Rather my congregation joins every other Catholic parish in the world in worship.
I'm not sure what you mean by "mouthpiece".
Everything is to be done in decency and in order - there can't be many speaking at once - unless they say the same thing and are in harmony (ei congregational singing).
The priest is our shepard in our worship. He presents the gospel and teaches from the scripture.
I see that role as for the Spirit of God. A man knows not the hearts of men - only the Spirit of God can lead true worship out of us - we must worship in spirit and in truth.
We also have two other scripture reading every week from members of the congrrgation. They read scripture but do not directly teach.
What technically constittes teaching? Would they be permitted to share what they enjoy of the passage?
I guess you would say that the pope is the "mouthpiece" if you will for the entire worldwide congregation.
No. I wouldn't say that ... you might (or do). ;)
Don't think of it just as individual local worship.
I never do. Each member of the Body of Christ is a memebr in partcular WHILE being integral to the many (we, being many, are memebrs one of another).
Rather my congregation joins every other Catholic parish in the world in worship.
Not only in worship, but in testimony and responsibility. This is lacking among Christians globally, regardless of theological bent.
Post a Comment