Phl churches use new version of Roman Missal

MANILA, Philippines - Catholic churches in the country began implementing the new English translation of the Roman Missal yesterday, the first Sunday of Advent.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the dioceses started using the revised version of the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father).

The new version of the prayer would also be used in praying the rosary, invocations and similar situations. It now reads: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

The CBCP reaffirmed its decision to fully implement this month the new translation of the Lord’s Prayer, which uses the 16th century version.

“In effect, what is contained in the said new English translation must be followed,” CBCP president Archbishop Jose Palma said in a letter to all the dioceses last Oct. 3.

The dioceses have started with their catechesis on the revisions of the Roman Missal as early as January so as not to overwhelm the faithful with too many changes in the liturgy of the Church.

In the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, parishes had started using the new English version of the Lord’s Prayer since February while the Archdiocese of Manila gradually implemented the changes last June.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said gradual implementation means that all responses, acclamations and their musical settings were progressively  introduced to the faithful.