Today’s National Post ran a front-page story about the upcoming new English translation of the Mass: “Vatican’s new Mass ‘elitist’, priests say”. These priests are based in Ireland, and my own Irish eyes weren’t exactly smiling when I read their views. They are, in a word, wrong – on so many levels.
Judging from the reaction we’ve received to The New Mass iPhone app, and to the talks I’ve given on the new translation in thefaithexplained.com seminar series, these guys are seriously mistaken. In my experience, once people have actually seen the new text, and have had the reasons for the changes explained to them, they are generally thrilled. Not only is the new translation more faithful to the official Latin text, but it does a superb job of highlighting the biblical allusions in the Mass.
The complaints of these priests are also unseemly for other reasons. They are, quite simply, poisoning the well for their own parishioners. In all likelihood, most of these people haven’t viewed the new Mass translation for themselves, but when they read an article in the media – quoting their own priests – bashing it to pieces, they can’t help but be negatively prejudiced against it. In my view, these priests are merely seeking to grab some ill-gotten attention for themselves, when they should be supporting the decisions of the hierarchy whom they (allegedly) serve. If they have legitimate concerns, fine. But let those be aired privately in meetings with the bishops, not in the secular media or the court of public opinion.
This was written by Michael Higgins! I was so relieved when he left the Catholic Register but now he has an even larger audience! Yikes!
From the priests and seminarians we know – there seems to be no problem.
Our pastor already explained the changes. I am just hoping that there will be a more traditional sounding Gloria to choose from by the CCCB. I also heard that Fr. Somerville’s older Gloria could be used as the words were taken from the Latin.
I would like to see that one.
Hi Teresa! Good to hear from you, as always! I agree – I do believe the priests of Toronto are, for the most part, looking forward to the new translation. As far as musical settings for the Mass are concerned, I’m not well “versed” on the options, if you’ll pardon the pun. I try and steer clear of Church music controversies, and just focus on karaoke.
(cont.) arrangements for mass prayers as they may be replaced with elaborate designed- for professional- choristers- only arrangements. It would help to have a revised missal but none seemavailable. Could your app be changed now to default to new translation so that it can be a revised missal with explanatory notes available?