Saturday, February 26, 2011

New Mass Translation is Problematic



Dear Blog Visitors:

Many of you may be aware that a new English Mass translation will be implemented in all American dioceses as of November of this year. For those of you who wish to examine the current language against the new translation, I have provided a link that will allow you to do this (or simply paste the link to your web browser):

http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml

It is not my intention to be political with my criticism of the new translation. In the photo above, I am giving a thumbs down from primarily a musical perspective. In simple terms, current musical settings of the Mass will not work with the new translation. Although composers are racing against time to modify scores in such a way that will allow the words to work, they are running into much difficulty.

My guess is that once U.S. bishops receive multiple complaints in November from Catholics who do not like the new translation of the Mass, they will perhaps be receptive to allowing optional choices that would permit either inclusive present-day versions of Novus Ordo or in special circumstances, the Latin Mass with traditional musical settings.

At a time when church attendance is at an all-time low point, changing the wording of Mass parts will only serve to complicate matters, especially when the new words don't flow very well, whether they are spoken or sung.

Peace to all,
Ray

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