A SERIES of talks on the new translation of the Roman Missal has aroused lively interest in parishes and schools across Brisbane archdiocese.
Liturgical Commission education officer Elizabeth Harrington said the interest has been evident throughout the information program on the changes she has been holding.
The program started in Beaudesert on February 23 and has continued through other parishes in the Logan deanery before moving to the archdiocese’s north-east including Wavell Heights, Zillmere and Aspley.
Schools such as Trinity College, Beenleigh, and Cornubia’s Chisholm College were also visited.
Mrs Harrington said the talks have been appreciated with sessions in some cases drawing more than 50 participants.
“People were able to receive information on who had done the translation, why it had been done and when the new missal will be introduced,” she said.
“They could see that nothing was changing in the order of the parts of the Mass … it was just the presence of new words in some sections.
“The general feeling was this is not too hard – we can cope.
“In fact older people may find some phrases familiar because this is a more literal translation of the Latin, similar to what was in older Latin/English missals.”
Mrs Harrington said people were coming to realise the Mass would definitely sound different.
“The priests’ prayers are very different for example … they are much longer and more complex …,” she said.
“In some cases it may be a challenge at first for some to understand the opening prayers of the Mass.”
Biggest changes would be for priests and musicians, Mrs Harrington said.
“Priests are going to have to learn prayers such as the Eucharistic Prayers all over again,” she said.
“This may be a challenge for some, especially ageing priests.
“Musicians have a big job working with new settings to deal with changed text in such cases as the Gloria and the Holy Holy.”
Parishes, communities and schools were able to begin singing (not saying) the new text for parts of the Ordinary of the Mass from January 1 this year.
Priests’ invitations and people’s responses for the spoken ordinary of the Mass are to be made available on a card and be introduced in full or gradually from June 12 (Pentecost Sunday). Implementation will be mandatory from November 1.
Mrs Harrington is continuing to run workshops through the deaneries of Brisbane archdiocese.
Further information about the implementation of the new translation can be obtained at www.romanmissalaustralia.org.au
