FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is there a new translation of the Missal?
Following the Second Vatican Council a new Latin Missal was produced by Pope Paul Vl in 1970. This Latin Missal was revised with minor adaptations and additions in 1975 and in 2002. English versions of this Vatican 11 Missal began appearing in the 1970s and the 1973 English Missal has served us well for many years. Over this time there has been much discussion of the need to revise the original English translation. ln 2001 the Vatican issued a document Liturgiam Authenticam which outlined new principles for translation into vernacular languages. These prlnciples governed the work of the new translation of the Missal.

Who did the work of translation?
The work of translation has been done by a group of people specialising in translation and linguistics. The lnternational Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has translated the Latin into English and then submitted the drafts to the Bishops of the English speaking world. Finally the translation has been approved by the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments with the assistance of a committee called Vox Clara.

ls this Missal the Vatican ll Missal?
It is most definitely the Vatican ll Missal. lt is the same missal which was produced in 1970 and revised on two later occasions. lt is the translation into English that has changed not the original prayers of the Mass.

Will it sound very different?
Yes, it will. Not only will the people's responses change but the prayers said by the priest will also change. The Eucharistic Prayers will sound different. Remember, it is not the original Latin Missal that has changed only the translation. So it will be the same Mass that we have had since Vatican 11 but it will sound different.

Will there be any changes in posture?
No, any changes in posture have already been introduced in recent years. Therefore you will continue to sit, stand and kneel as you have always done.

How will we know the new responses?
Pew cards are being produced by the Brisbane Liturgical Commission for use throughout Australia to assist the people with responses. Some Churches have data projectors that may also be used for this purpose (provided the whole Mass is not projected on the screen and so distract attention from the altar and the celebrant).

When can I buy a new Missal for my personal use?
The new Missal for use by the priest during Mass will be printed in the latter half of 2011. The new version of the readings will not be available for a few years. At this stage it is not known if publishers will publish personal missals with the Mass prayers only.

When will the new translation be introduced at Sunday Masses in Australia?
When sung, the new version of the Lord have mercy, Gloria, Creed, Holy, Eucharistic Acclamations and Lamb of God rnay be used from the beginning of January 2011. From Pentecost Sunday, 12th June 2011, the Lord have mercy, Gloria, Creed, Holy, Eucharistic Acclamations and Lamb of God, whether spoken or sung, together with the Priest's lnvitations and People's Responses, the Confiteor, and the lnvitation before Communion, will be introduced immediately or gradually.
All of these parts of the Ordinary will be obligatory throughout Australia from 1st November 2011.
The Altar Missal with the Priest's Prayers, Frefaces. Eucharistic Prayers and the Propers will be introduced immediately it is available. This is expected to be late in 2011. A date upon which the Altar Missal is to be obligatory will be set by the Bishops in due course.

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RESOURCES ON NEW MISSAL

- Laminated pewcards with new people's parts being diskibuted through diocesan offices
- PowerPoint slides with new people's texts available from NLC website (see below)
- The "New Order of Mass" booklet from The Liturgical Commission
- Folder for Presiders to use until full Missal is available
- More than a dozen "Liturgy Lines" columns entitled'New Words for Worship' are available on the website of The Liturgical Commission www.litcom.net.au - click the Liturgy Lines tab.
- "Liturgy News", the quarterly journal from The Liturgical Commissiory Brisbane, always includes updates on the revision of the Missal, Lectionary and other liturgical rites.
- A professional DVD resource entitled'Become one Body one Spiritin Christ produced in Australia for the entire English-speaking worid offers a multi-layered approach to appreciating the Mass and includes background material to assist in understanding the revised texts - preview at www.becomeonebodyonespiritinchrist.org
- Sessions for parishioners, pastoral staff, musicians and others being conducted by The Liturgical Commission in all 13 deaneries across the Archdiocese
- Spoken samp[le prayers on National Liturgical Council website (see below).

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WEB SITES

National Liturgical Council www.romanmissalaustralia.org.au - material and processes for Assembly, Clergy, Liturgical Ministers and Schools

Archdiocese of Melbourne www.evangelisation.org/missal

Diocese of Ballarat www.ballarat.catholic.org.au - click on "New MISSAL"

Archdiocese of Hobart www.hobart.catholic.org.au/Missal.html - esp. music section

Notre Dame Centre for Liturgy liturgy.liturgy.nd.edu/web-catechesis - series of short videos and transcripts giving background catechesis

Website of Fr Paul Turner SRN paulturner.org/Roman Missal.htm - series of useful articles on the implementation of the revised Missal

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org/romanmissal

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions www.fdlc.org/Roman_Missal.htm

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