Church to implement changes in Mass translation next year

MANILA, Philippines -  By next year, when the priest says, “The Lord be with you” during Mass, the faithful will answer “And with your spirit” and not “And also with you.”

Changes in the English translation of the Order of the Mass, approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during a plenary assembly last January, will take effect in parishes across the country in 2012.

Some responses and parts of prayers have been changed to reflect the real meaning of the original Latin text, the language of the Roman liturgy.

Apart from the innovation in the Introductory Rites, changes have also been introduced in other parts of the Mass, such as the Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites.

Also in the Eucharistic prayer, the phrase “...cup of my blood” has been changed to “...chalice of my blood.”

Likewise, the text “it will be shed for you and for all men” has been changed to “which will be poured out for you and for many.”

English-speaking countries, including the Philippines, are currently using the 1973 English translation of the Roman Missal prepared by the International Commission on English Liturgy (ICEL).

To prepare the faithful for the liturgical changes, the CBCP has asked Fr. Anscar Chupungco, former executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, to make a catechetical primer on the liturgical development.

Addressed to both the clergy and laity, the primer will explain the major changes in translation and give an analysis and catechesis on the translated text.

“Comprehension of the meaning of liturgical prayers and other formulas is necessary for active participation as desired by the Second Vatican Council,” Chupungco said.

Meanwhile, a 60-hour adoration at the Sanctuario de San Juan Evangelista in Dagupan City will be held from June 28 to July 1 to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI’s 60th year as priest.

A Mass will also be celebrated on June 28 at 5 p.m. at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to open the celebration of the Pope’s 60th sacerdotal anniversary. – With Eva Visperas