For more information on the Roman Missal see the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site at:
Ten Questions on the
Roman Missal, Third Edition
1. Why is there a need for a new translation?
Pope John Paul II issued the third edition of the Missale Romanum (the Latin text of the Roman Missal) during the Jubilee Year in 2000. This new edition included many new texts requiring translation. In addition, the experience of the years after the Second Vatican Council gave rise to a desire for more formal and literal translations of the original Latin texts. This new translation will employ
the best of what we have learned about translation and
liturgical language in two generations of celebrating the
Liturgy in the vernacular. It will provide an opportunity
to refl ect ever more deeply on the eucharistic celebration
that lies at the heart of the Church’s life.
2. Who is doing the work of translation?
Th e process of translating liturgical texts from the original
Latin is a highly consultative work done by several
groups. Th e International Commission on English in the
Liturgy (ICEL) prepares English translations of liturgical
texts on behalf of the conferences of bishops of English-
speaking countries. Th e United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the other member conferences
receive draft translations of each text and have
the opportunity to off er comments and suggestions to
ICEL. Th en ICEL proposes a second draft, which each
conference approves and submits to the Vatican for fi nal
approval. Each conference reserves the right to amend or
modify a particular text.
At the Vatican, the Congregation for Divine Worship
and the Discipline of the Sacraments examines the
translated texts, off ers authoritative approval (recognitio)
of the texts, and grants permission for their use. Currently
the Congregation is aided by the recommendations
of Vox Clara, a special committee of bishops and
consultants from English-speaking countries. Th e translation
and review process is guided by the guidelines in
Liturgiam Authenticam, issued in 2001, an instruction
from the Congregation that outlines the principles and
rules for liturgical translation. In 2007, the Congregation
also issued a ratio outlining the specifi c rules for
translation in English.
3. What’s new or different about the revised
translation?
Th e style of the translation of the third edition is diff erent.
In accord with the rules for translation established
by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the
style of the original Latin texts more closely, including
concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm.
Th e English used in the Mass texts is more formal and
dignifi ed in style. Where possible, the texts follow the
language of Scripture and include many poetic images.
In addition, the third edition contains prayers for
the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional
prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses
and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some
updated and revised rubrics (or instructions) for the celebration
of the Mass.
4. What is the timeline for the approval and
implementation of the Missal?
After the Latin Missale Romanum was published in
2002, ICEL began its work of preparing a draft English
translation of the text. ICEL presented the fi rst section—
the Order of Mass, which contains the fi xed prayers of
the Mass, including the people’s parts—to the Englishspeaking
conferences of bishops in 2004. Th e USCCB
approved the fi nal version in 2006, and the Holy See confi
rmed this section in June 2008. Th e remaining sections
were approved between 2007 and 2009. Th e USCCB
completed its approval of the Missal in November 2009.
Th e Holy See granted the fi nal approval of the text in the
spring of 2010. Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president
of the USCCB, announced that parishes may begin using
the revised translation on November 27, 2011.
5. Can we start using the texts approved by the
bishops immediately?
Th e translation of the Missale Romanum could not be used
in the celebration of the Mass until the complete text was
confi rmed by the Holy See. Now that the translation has
received the recognitio, the USCCB has established the
fi rst day on which the new translation may be used. Use
of the revised text requires preparation and catechesis for
both priests and the faithful. When the time comes to
use the texts in the celebration of the Mass, priests will be
properly trained, the faithful will have an understanding
and appreciation of what is being prayed, and musical settings
for the liturgical texts will be readily available.
6. What will the process of implementation
look like?
Now that the recognitio has been granted, final preparation
and publication of the Missal will commence. Catechesis
on the new translation and on the Liturgy itself will
become even more important. Training for priests, music
ministers, and other liturgical leaders (liturgy committees
and liturgical commissions), as well as formation for all
Catholics, will help to ensure the successful implementation
of the new text.
7. What will the new Missal mean in my parish?
In the months before the revised translation is implemented,
parishes will have to do many things. The parish
will have to replace liturgical books and participation
aids. Priests will practice proclaiming the new texts and
will prepare homilies helping the faithful to understand
the new translation and to deepen their appreciation
for the Liturgy. The music ministers and the people will
learn new musical settings for the parts of the Mass
(such as the Gloria and the Sanctus). Catechists and
teachers will help parishioners learn the new prayers.
Parishes may also use this opportunity to undertake a
thorough reexamination of their liturgical practices.
8. If my parish likes the old translation better, can
we continue using that one?
Now that the Holy See has granted the recognitio to the
revised translation, the USCCB has established a date
for first use and a date for mandatory use. No parish
may continue to use the current translation after the
mandatory use date. Parishes will need to use the period
before the mandatory use date to help parishioners
renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand
the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the
revised translation.
9. Do these changes mean that the old translation
was not valid and orthodox?
The current translation was approved by the conferencesof bishops and confirmed by the Holy See. Until the newtext becomes effective, the current translation remains thevalid ordinary form of the Liturgy in the Roman Rite.The revised translation attempts to address some inadequaciesin the present translation by introducing a moreelevated style of language and by retaining many poetictexts and scriptural allusions. The current translation fosteredthe faith of two generations of Catholics and retainsa valid place in church history.
10. What opportunities does the new Missal offer
the Church?
Implementing the new Missal will give the Church an
opportunity to take a fresh look at its liturgical practice
and to renew its celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, which
is the “source and summit” of Christian life (Second
Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
[Lumen Gentium], no. 11). The faithful, encountering
the Liturgy anew in the new text, can deepen their sharing
in Christ’s sacrifice, offering their lives to the Father
as they worship “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).
REFERENCE
Second Vatican Council. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen
Gentium). In Vatican Council II: Volume I: The Conciliar and Post
Conciliar Documents (new rev. ed.), edited by Austin Flannery.
Northport, NY: Costello Publishing, 1996.
Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar
Documents edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1975, Costello
Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, NY, are used with permission
of the publisher, all rights reserved. No part of these excerpts may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or
by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise—without express written permission of Costello Publishing
Company.
Copyright © 2010, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. Used with permission. All rights reserved
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