The Translation of the Revised Roman Missal - Diocese of Paterson

The Translation 

of the Revised 

Roman Missal 

1

Objectives: 

Why y is this happening pp g in the first 

place? 

How How has the new translation come 

about? 

What will all of this mean… for me? 

When When will all of this take place? 

How will it be implemented? 

2

A Brief History y of the 

USA Edition of the 

Missale Romanum 

3

THE CONCILIUM 

Comme Le Prévoit: 

Instruction on the 

TTranslation l ti of f 

Liturgical Texts for 

Celebrations with a 

Congregation 

January 25, 1969 

4

On April 6, 1969 


Editio typica 

April 6, 1969 


Editio typica 

5

November 13, 1969 

NCCB Approves pp 

Ordo Missae and the Institutio 

Generalis Missalis Romani 

confirmed January 5, 1970 

6

May, 1971: 

ICEL consultation 

on Prayers of the Roman Missal 

7

Results of 1971 Consultation 

“The translations provided proved to be generally 

acceptable. Nearly two thirds of the 150 

respondents found the translations to be good or 

excellent, and eighty per cent found them 

acceptable. About eighty per cent preferred simple 

translations to more elaborate ones, and two thirds 

of the respondents asked that the prayers be more 

contemporary in style and tone. Opinion was 

evenly divided as to whether the translations should 

bbe freer f or more precise. i Nearly N l all llwere agreed d 

that paraphrase and moderate amplification of the 

texts are acceptable, and more than eighty percent 

agreed that prayers need to be concretized, concretized or that 

new metaphors need to be introduced.” 

8

Provisional 

and optional 

Sacramentary y 

for Sundays and Other Occasions 

Confirmed 

J January 14, 14 

1972 9

The Sacramentary 

Approved by NCCB - November 12, 1973 

Confirmed by Holy See February 4, 1974 

Revised edition published in 1985 

10

12 Years Later… 

ICEL Sacramentary 

Approved pp by y NCCB: 1985-1988 

Declined by Holy See: 2000 

11

Institutio Generalis 

Published: March 18, 2000 

Missale Missale Romanum 

Romanum 

published March 25, 2002 

12

General instruction of the 

Roman Missal 

U.S. Adaptations 

to GIRM 

Consultation: October, 2000 

AApproval: l November b 2001 

Confirmed: April 25, 2002 

GGIRM Translation i 

Approval: November, 2002 

Published April April, 2003 

13

CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE 

WORSHIP 

AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE 

SACRAMENTS 

FIFTH INSTRUCTION 

“FOR THE RIGHT IMPLEMENTATION 

OF THE CONSTITUTION ON THE 

SACRED LITURGY 

OF THE SECOND VATICAN 

COUNCIL” COUNCIL (SC (SC, art. art 36) 

Liturgiam authenticam 

ON THE USE OF VERNACULAR 

LANGUAGES 

IN THE PUBLICATION OF 

THE BOOKS OF THE ROMAN 

LITURGY 

14

Th The great t work… k 

2…the great work of renewal of the 

liturgical books of the Roman Rite, Rite a 

work which included their 

translation into vernacular 

languages languages, with the purpose of 

bringing about, in the most diligent 

way, that renewal of the sacred 

Lit Liturgy which hi h was one e of f the 

foremost intentions of the Council. 

15

to set forth ane anew… 

66…it it has been noted that translations of liturgical 

texts in various localities stand in need of 

improvement through correction or through a new 

ddraft. ft The Th omissions i i or errors which hi haffect ff tcertain t i 

existing vernacular translations – especially in the 

case of certain languages – have impeded the 

progress of f th the inculturation i lt ti that th t actually t ll should h ld 

have taken place. Consequently, the Church has 

been prevented from laying the foundation for a 

ffuller, ll healthier h l hi and dmore authentic h i renewal. l 

16

A rich 

patrimony 

20. The Latin liturgical texts of the Roman Rite, 

while drawing on centuries of ecclesial experience in 

transmitting the faith of the Church received from 

the Fathers, are themselves the fruit of the liturgical 

renewal, just recently brought forth. In order that 

such a rich patrimony may be preserved and passed 

on through the centuries, it is to be kept in mind from 

the beginning that the translation of the liturgical 

texts of the Roman Liturgy is not so much a work of 

creative ti innovation i ti as it is i of f rendering d i the th original i i l 

texts faithfully and accurately into the vernacular 

language. While it is permissible to arrange the 

wording, g, the syntax y and the style y in such a way y as to 

prepare a flowing vernacular text suitable to the 

rhythm of popular prayer, the original text, insofar as 

possible, must be translated integrally and in the 

most exact manner manner, without omissions or additions in 

terms of their content, and without paraphrases or 

glosses. Any adaptation to the characteristics or the 

nature of the various vernacular languages g g is to be 

sober and discreet. 

17

21 21. EEspecially i ll in i the th translations t l ti intended i t d d for f 

peoples recently brought to the Christian Faith, 

fidelity and exactness with respect to the original 

texts may themselves sometimes require that 

words already in current usage be employed in 

new ways, that new words or expressions be 

coined, that terms in the original text be 

transliterated or adapted to the pronunciation of 

the vernacular language, or that figures of speech 

be used which convey in an integral manner the 

content of the Latin expression even while being 

verbally or syntactically different from it. Such 

measures, especially those of greater moment, are 

to be submitted to the discussion of all the 

Bishops involved before being inserted into the 

definitive draft. In particular, caution should be 

exercised in introducing words drawn from non- non 

Christian religions. 

18

understandable, , dignified, g , beautiful, , 

and doctrinally precise… 

25. So that the content of the original texts may be 

evident and comprehensible even to the faithful 

who lack any special intellectual formation, the 

translations should be characterized by a kind of 

language which is easily understandable, yet 

which at the same time preserves these texts’ 

dignity dignity, beauty beauty, and doctrinal precision precision. By means 

of words of praise and adoration that foster 

reverence and gratitude in the face of God’s 

majesty majesty, his power power, his mercy and his 

transcendent nature, the translations will respond 

to the hunger and thirst for the living God that is 

experienced p by y the ppeople p of our own time, , while 

contributing also to the dignity and beauty of the 

liturgical celebration itself. 19

Ratio Translationis (2007) ( ) 

31. Many elements of the language of the Roman Rite 

which hihh have been b adopted d df from pagan Roman R religious li i 

practice can be found throughout the liturgical books now 

in use. These features include, among g others: 

a sacral vocabulary; 

specialized religious syntax; 

ways ways of addressing God with corresponding 

patterns of closure in prayer; 

various rhetorical forms; 

b brevity i and dconciseness i of fstyle l found f d in i sober, b 

practical and clear expression, 

and a manner of praying p y gcentered around the duty y 

or obligation of the individual and the community 

to practice true religion. 20

The Players y 

Comme le prevoit 

and Liturgiam g authenticam 

ICEL C 

Conferences of Bishops 

The Holy See: 

CDWDS 

Vox Clara 

21

Th The 

Process: 

ICEL 

THE ICEL PROCESS 

WHITE BOOK TO CDW FOR CONFIRMATION 

▲ 

CONFERENCE VOTE 

▲ 

GRAY BOOK TO CONFERENCES 

For final vote 

▲ 

ICEL COMMISSION 

▲ 

GREEN BOOK TO CONFERNCES AND HOLY SEE 

▲ 

ICEL COMMISSION 

▲ 

ROMAN MISSAL EDITORIAL COMMITTEE (RMEC) 

reviews Base Text and Proposed Text 

▲ 

ICEL SECRETARIAT 

Develops a Proposed Text 

▲ 

REVISION TEAM 

3 members…independent observations 

▲ 

BASE TEXT TRANSLATOR 

Base Text Prepared by a translator with the nihil obstat 

22

ICEL Order of Mass 

Presented to National Liturgy 

Secretaries in Vallidolid, Spain: January, 

2004 

Meeting of National Liturgy Secretaries 

From left to right, standing: Mr. Larry Willet (ICEL), Rev. Patrick Jones (Ireland), Rev. Camille 

Jacques (Canada), Rev. Andrew McKenzie (Scotland), Mr. Toshimitsu Miyakoshi (Japan), Rev. 

Peter Williams (Australia), Sr. Jordanna Maher, O.P. (South Africa), Rev. Allen Morris (England), Mr. 

Peter Finn (ICEL). (ICEL) From left to right, right seated: Monsignor James Moroney (USA) (USA), Bishop Donald 

Reece (Antigua), Bishop Arthur Roach (ICEL chair), Bishop Peter Kihara (Kenya), Rev. Bruce 

Harbert (ICEL Director). 

23

Green Book Consultation on Web 

BCL Review of Consultation 

Gray Book Vote 

White Book Submission 

The 

Process: 

USCCB 24

Green Book Review 

White Book Review for Confirmation 

Vox Clara Committee 


Process: 

CDWDS 25

Members and Advisors of the Vox Clara Committee – (seated left to 

right): Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Francis Cardinal George, OMI, 

Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship 

and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS), George Cardinal Pell, 

Committee Chairman, Justin Cardinal Rigali; (standing left to right): Fr. 

Anthony Ward, CDWDS Undersecretary, Fr. Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, Msgr. 

Gerard McKay, Fr. Dennis McManus, Archbishop Alfred Hughes, 

Archbishop Terrance Prendergast, Bishop Philip Boyce, Archbishop Albert 

Malcolm Ranjith, CDWDS Secretary, Archbishop Peter Sarpong, 

Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Msgr. James Moroney, Msgr. James O’Brien, 

CDWDS official, and Abbot Cuthbert Johnson. 


Process: 

Vox Clara 26

ICEL Order of Mass 

January -May 2004 

June-November 2005 

USCCB Consultations 

833 Suggestions S ti from f 27 Members M b 

27

ICEL Order Order of of Mass Mass 

Approved by 

USCCB 

(with adaptations) 

June, 2006 

Confirmed by the 

Holy y See 

June, 2008 

(U (U.S. S adaptations??) 

28

evised 8/03/09 

Order of Mass I 

Green Book 

sent from 

ICEL 

version 1: 

2/04 

version 2: 

6/05 

Green book 

comments 

sent to 

ICEL 

version 1: 

7/04 

version 2: 

11/05 

Gray Book 

from 

ICEL 

Consideration 

by 

BCDW 

Gray Book 

vote by 

USCCB 

Text 

submitted to 

the Holy See 

Recognitio 

granted 

2/12/06 3/06 6/15/06 7/29/06 6/23/08 

Proper of Seasons 3/1/06 6/22/06 6/28/07 1/30/08 11/11/08 12/20/08 

Order of Mass II 5/15/06 11/27/06 11/1/07 6/11/08 7/17/09 8/03/09 

Ritual Masses 3/30/07 6/07 2/22/08 11/09/08 7/17/09 8/03/09 

Masses for Various 

Needs & Intentions 

Votive Masses and 

Masses for the Dead 

Proper of Saints I 

Common of Saints 

3/30/07 6/07 2/22/08 11/09/08 7/17/09 8/03/09 

8/31/07 2/02/08 10/27/08 1/26/09 7/17/09 8/03/09 

9/15/06 4/07 10/27/08 6/15/09 Nov. 2009 

Proper of Saints II 8/31/07 2/02 10/27/08 6/15/09 Nov. 2009 

Propers for the Dioceses 

In production by 

of fth the US U.S. th the CCommittee itt on Di Divine i WWorship hi 

Antiphons 5/24/07 2/02 10/27/08 

Introductory Material 9/21/07 3/14/08 10/27/08 

Appendices 10/31/07 3/13/08 10/27/08 

Eucharistic Prayers for 

Masses with Children 

3/30/07 6/07 2/22/08 6/11/08 

6/15/09 Nov. 2009 

To be completed by the CDWDS 

In consultation with ICEL and Vox Clara 

Delayed— awaiting action on separate text from 

CDWDS 

29

Editio 

Publication Timeline 

Missale 

Order of Mass 

USA Missal 

T i 

published published 

Typica published published published 

prima 1969 1970 1974 

altera 1975 n/a 1985 

tertia 2002 ??? ??? 

30

Sample Texts 

31

Confession of Sin 

I confess to almighty God 

and to you, my brothers and sisters, 

th that t I hhave greatly tl sinned i d 

in my thoughts and in my words, 

in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, 

through h hmy ffault, l through h h my ffault, l 

through my most grievous fault; 

therefore I ask blessed Mary y ever-Virgin, g 

all the Angels and Saints, 

and you, my brothers and sisters, 

to pray p yfor 

me to the Lord our God. 

32

Gloria 

Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace to people of good will. 

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, 

we give i you thanks th k ffor your great tglory, l 

Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, 

Lord God God, Lamb of God God, Son of the Father Father, 

you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; 

you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; 

you y are seated at the right g hand of the Father, , 

have mercy on us. 

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, 

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, 

iin the th glory l of f God G dth the FFather. th AAmen. 

33

from the Profession of Faith 

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, 

of all things visible and invisible. 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, 

born of the Father before all ages. 

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, 

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; 

through him all things were made. 

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, 

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary… 

…And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, 

the e giver g ve oof life, e, wwho o pproceeds oceeds from o the e Father e and d the e So Son, , 

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, 

who has spoken through the prophets. 

And one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. 

I confess one baptism p for the forgiveness g of sins 

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead 

and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

34

Pray, brethren [brothers and sisters], that my 

sacrifice and yours 

may be acceptable to God, 

the almighty Father. 

The people rise and reply: 

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands 

for the praise and glory of his name, 

for our good 

and the good of all his holy Church Church. 

35

The Lord be with you. you 

And with your spirit. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up to the Lord. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

It is right g and jjust. 

36

Sanctus Sanctus, Sanctus Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth Sábaoth. 

Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. 

Hosánna in excélsis. 

Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. 

Hosánna in excélsis. 

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 

Heaven and earth are ffull of fyour 

glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Bl Blessed d is i he h who h comes in i the th name of f the th LLord. d 

Hosanna in the highest. 

37

The mystery of faith: 

We proclaim your death, O Lord, 

and profess your Resurrection 

until you come again. 

Or: 

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, 

we proclaim your death, O Lord, 

until you come again. 

Or: 

Save us, Savior of the world, 

ffor bby your CCross and d RResurrection ti 

you have set us free. 38

Behold the Lamb of God, 

behold him who takes away the sins of the world. world 

Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. 

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, 

but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. 

Ecce Agnus Dei, 

ecce qui tollis 

peccata mundi. 

Beati qui ad cenam 

Domine, non sum 

dignus, ut intres sub 

tectum meum, sed 

tantum dic verbo et 

Agni vocati sunt. sunt 

sanabitur anima mea mea. 

39

The Orations of the Roman Rite 

32. Such characteristics are often seen in the language of the Roman Rite, but especially 

in the orations “which exhibit a capacity to transcend the limits of their original 

situations so as to become the prayers of Christians in any time or place place” . In the 

orations of the Roman Rite, and principally in the collects, can be seen a pattern 

recognizable from pagan antiquity (without denying some biblical parallels): 

the address to God; 

a relative clause of description, joined to the address; 

a petition 

a fuller description of the petition or an expression of its motivation, motivation 

a devout closure, expressing hope of divine action. 

Each element is meant to flow from the previous one, so that most orations are 

comprised of a single Latin sentence whose syntax allows each part clear expression, 

but carefully subordinates all of its elements to a reliance upon God. These ancient 

orations are often complex, p but with a unity ywhich derives from the thought g of the 

speaker. In these and other ways, the Roman tendency to use “extended subordination” 

is clearly evident to the translator of liturgical texts. 

40

The Collect 

The Orations 

Prayer over the Offerings 

Prayer after Communion 

PPrayer over the th People P l 

41

Single-Sentence Single Sentence Prayers 

54. As mentioned above, the Roman Rite’s use of a single g sentence 

form for many of its prayers seems to have been adopted from pre- 

Christian Roman prayers in which extended subordination serves to 

order all of the elements of the sentence to express a dependence upon 

God as the source and end of all saving action. Extended 

subordination in the Roman single sentence prayer helps to emphasize 

what is important by clearly labeling what is secondary or subordinate 

to a main thought. Typically, Latin signals this by the use of 

conjunctives, as well as historic, causal or successive sequence with ut 

or cum, all in an effort to underline the subordination of such 

expressions to the principal thought of the speaker of the prayer. In 

addition, such clauses are further subordinated through a sequence of 

tenses which links all action to that solely of the main clause, with 

every phrase dominated often by the power of a single governing verb. 

42

Other Noteworthy Elements 

Strong teleological/eschatological conclusion 

Inversion 

Biblical and Patristic references 

AAnthropomorphisms h hi 

Rhetorical structures: 

Antithesis 

Aphorism 

43

A few e examples… 

e a p es 

1970 Sacramentary: 

All–powerful God, 

Increase our strength of will for 

doing good 

that Christ may y find 

an eager welcome at his coming 

and call us to his side 

in the Kingdom of heaven heaven, 

where he lives and reigns … 

First Sunday of Advent 

Proposed third edition text: 

Almighty God, grant, we pray, 

to your faithful people, 

the will to run 

to meet Christ with good deeds at his 

coming, 

so that, gathered at his right hand, 

they may be worthy to possess 

the heavenly kingdom. 

Through our Lord… 

44


Father, 

may we follow the example of your 

Son 

who became man and lived among g 

us. 

May we receive the gift of divine life 

through these offerings here on earth earth. 

We ask this in the name of Jesus the 

Lord. 

Christmas: Mass at Dawn 

Prayer over the Offerings 


May these gifts, O Lord, we pray, 

offered on this feast of our Savior’s 

birth, 

be worthy y of the mystery y y we 

celebrate: 

just as he who was born a man 

shone s o e forth o t aalso so as God, 

so may these earthly gifts bring us 

gifts divine. 

Through Christ our Lord Lord. 

45



Epiphany: Mass during the Day 

you revealed your Son to the nations 

by the guidance of a star. 

Lead us to your glory in heaven 

by the light of faith. 

We ask this through our Lord… 

Collect 


O God, who on this day 

revealed your Only-Begotten Son 

to the nations 

by the guidance of a star, 

grant in your mercy 

that we who know you now by faith 

may be b brought b ht to t behold b h ld 

the beauty of your sublime glory. 

Through our Lord . . . 

46


Eternal Father, 

First Week of Lent: Saturday 

turn our hearts to you. 

By seeking your kingdom 

and loving one another another, 

may we become a people who 

worship you in spirit and truth. 

We ask this through our Lord Lord… 

Collect 


Turn our hearts to you, eternal Father, 

and grant that, 

in seeking always the one thing 

necessaryy 

and carrying out the works of charity, 

we may be dedicated to your worship. 

Through our our Lord . . . 

47

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 


God our Father, we are gathered here 

to share in the supper 

which your only Son left to his Church 

to reveal his love. 

He gave it to us when he was about to 

die 

and commanded us to celebrate it as the 

new and eternal sacrifice. 

We pray that in this eucharist 

we may find the fullness of love and life life. 

Grant this through our Lord… 

Collect 


We celebrate, O God, the most sacred 

Supper, 

in which your Only-Begotten Son, 

soon to hand himself over to death, 

entrusted to the Church for ever 

the new sacrifice and the banquet of his love; 

grant us, us we pray, pray 

that out of so great a mystery 

we may draw the fullness of charity and life. 

Through h h our Lord d. 

. . 

48

Sunday of the Resurrection: The Paschal Vigil 


Lord God, 

you have brightened this night 

with the radiance of the Risen 

Christ. 

Quicken the spirit of sonship in your 

Church; 

renew us in mind and body 

to give you whole–hearted service. 


Collect 


O God, who make this most holy night 

radiant with the glory 

of the Lord’s Resurrection, 

stir up in your Church the spirit of 

adoption, 

so that, renewed in body and mind, 

we may render you undivided service service. 


49


Merciful Father, 

Second Week of Easter: Wednesday 

may these mysteries give us new 

purpose 

and bring gus to a new life in yyou. 

Grant this through Christ our Lord. 

Prayer after Communion 


Graciously be present to your people, 

we pray, O Lord, 

and lead those you have nourished 

with heavenly mysteries 

to pass to a new way of life from the old. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

50



your love never fails. 

Hear our call. 

Keep us from danger 

and provide for all our needs. 


Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Collect 


O God, whose providence never fails 

in its design, 

humbly we implore you 

to banish all that would harm us 

and to grant all that works for our good. 


51

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 



your love for us 

surpasses all our hopes and desires. 

Forgive our failings failings, 

keep us in your peace, 

and lead us in the way of salvation. 

Collect 


Almighty everlasting God, 

who in your overflowing compassion 

surpass the merits and desires 

of those who pray, 

pour our your mercy upon us, 

to pardon what conscience dreads 

and d t to add dd what h t prayer 

does not venture to ask. 

Through our Lord… 

52

Conclusions: 

Where We Go from Here 

53

The Catechetical process 

ICEL and the Leeds Group 

BCDW 

FDLC 

The Local level… 

54

Sacrosanctum Concilium 

FOUR THEOLOGICAL 

PREMISES 

The Celebration of the Eucharist is First of all Christo-centric; 

Every Celebration of the Eucharist Requires a Bishop or his 

Priest; 

Participation Participation of the Faithful is the Goal to be Considered 

Before all Others, and, 

The Eucharist is the Source and Summit Christian Life. 

55

Participation: 

“actuosa participatio” 

The Rite 

The Arts 

Liturgical Music 

The Celebrant 

Th The “A “Ars Celebrandi” 

C l b di” 

56

Sacramentum Sacramentum Caritatis Caritatis 

57

EEcclesia l i de d Eucharistia E h i ti 

Pope John Paul II (2003) 

“Mysterium Mysterium Fidei! Fidei!” 

“Profound Amazement” 

Cosmic Cosmic Character: the Kingdom 

Ecclesial Character: Communion 

Mysterious Mysterious Character: the Liturgy 

58

Whenever the 

Church celebrates 

the Eucharist, the 

faithful f f can in 

some way relive 

the experience of 

the two disciples 

on the road to 

Emmaus: “their 

eyes were opened 

and they 

recognized g him.” 

(Lk 24:31) 

59

What the Eucharist Depicts 

Not some delusional fantasy fantasy… …But But our real future with Christ! 

60

from Sacrosanctum Sacrosanctum Concilium: 

Concilium: 

8. In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste 

of f that h heavenly h l liturgy li which hi h is i celebrated l b d i in the h 

holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as 

pilgrims, p g ,w where e eC Christ is sitting g at a the eright g hand a dof 

God, a minister of the holies and of the true 

tabernacle ; we sing a hymn to the Lord’s glory with 

all ll the th warriors i of f th the hheavenly l army; venerating ti th the 

memory of the saints, we hope for some part and 

fellowship p with them; ; we eagerly g y await the Savior, , 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall appear 

and we too will appear with Him in glory. 

61

The Translation of the Revised Roman Missal - Diocese of Paterson

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