New Translation Revealed

Now that the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments just approved with its Recognitio the new English translation of the Order of the Mass, the USCCB's Committee on Divine Worship released the text online for purpose of study, as well as preparation and catechesis. There are a number of significant changes. I won't list them all, but below is a table with a significant number of them, comparing the current translation and the future translation to be used. The whole document can be viewed at the USCCB's site: The Order of Mass.

All in all, the translation is pretty good. Many people will yet quarrel over whether it's bulky, or whether it's not yet literal enough (there are some areas that ignore the literal translation of the Latin, especially at the beginning of the Communicantes). Yes, it will be awkward for a little while until we get used to saying, "and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary." But it is, overall, a great improvement in being faithful to the Latin text.

One point of personal interest: I am very happy that the last Memorial Acclamation of the current English was not included in this version, and hopefully will not be permitted by some future version. I know, I know. "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again," is perhaps the most popular version, and it's so short, and so many people like it. Well, here's my thought on the issue. We as Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ's body and blood under the appearance of Bread and Wine. And we traditionally believe that this happens for each separately after the priest finishes the words over each. So, as soon as he has finished the words over the bread, it becomes body, and likewise with the wine. Well, the Memorial Acclamation comes just after this. Christ was just made present under both "species" and is now really present in the way par excellence, this side of heaven. With the first three Acclamations, we speak directly to Christ in the second person, "You have set us free; we proclaim Your death; Dying You destroyed our death." With that fourth version, we speak not to Christ but about Christ, seemingly to one another. So Jesus is just made present and then with this last formulation, we ignore him! What is up with that? Hence, my pleasure in the last option's omission.

Enough said. Now it's time to start preparing for implementing it.

Current Text	New Translation
And also with you.	And with your spirit.
I confess . . . that I have sinned . . . through my fault; and I ask . . . .	I confess . . . that I have greatly sinned . . . through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask . . .
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.	May almighty God have mercy on us and lead us, with our sins forgiven, to eternal life.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.	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 you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the 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 are seated at the right 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, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.	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 became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the 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 for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.	Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
The Lord be with you, And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.	The Lord be with 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 and just.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full . . .	Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full . . .
Eucharistic Prayer I We come to you, Father, with praise and thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ your Son. Through him we ask you to accept and bless + these gifts we offer you in sacrifice. ------- Father, accept this offering from your whole family. Grant us your peace in this life, save us from final damnation, and count us among those you have chosen. . . Bless and approve our offering; make it acceptable to you, an offering in spirit and in truth. Let it become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord. . . ------- When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: . . ------- Father, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son. We, your people and your ministers, recall his passion, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into glory; and from the many gifts you have given us we offer to you, God of glory and majesty, this holy and perfect sacrifice: the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. . . . Look with favor on these offerings and accept them as once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchisedech. . . Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Then, as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your Son, let us be filled with every grace and blessing. . . . . ------- For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with . . . Though we are sinners, we trust in your mercy and love. Do not consider what we truly deserve, but grant us your forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord. . . Through him you give us all these gifts. You fill them with life and goodness, you bless them and make them holy.	Eucharistic Prayer I To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and bless + these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices. ------- Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family;order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen. Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. ------- In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: ------- Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvation. Be pleased to look upon them with serene and kindly countenance, and to accept them, as you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek, a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim. In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God: command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy Angel to your altar on high in the sight of your divine majesty, so that all of us who through this participation at the altar receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. ------- To us, also, your sinful servants, who hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs: . . . and all your Saints: admit us, we beg you,into their company, not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord. Through whom you continue to create all these good things, O Lord; you make them holy, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.
Eucharistic Prayer II Lord you are holy indead, the fountain of all holiness. Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread . . .	Eucharistic Prayer II You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body + and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread . . .
Eucharistic Prayer III Father, you are holy indeed, and all creation rightly gives you praise. All life, all holiness comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by the working of the Holy Spirit. From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name. And so, Father, we bring you these gifts. We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this eucharist. ------- Look with favor on your Church's offering, and see the Victim whose death has reconciled us to yourself. . . . ------- . . . and the entire people your Son has gained for you. Father, hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you. In mercy and love unite all your children wherever they may be. Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship. We hope to enjoy for ever the vision of your glory, through Christ our Lord, from whom all good things come.	Eucharistic Prayer III You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise, for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name. Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and + Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries. ------- Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death you willed to reconcile us to yourself, . . . ------- . . . and the entire people you have gained for your own. Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you: in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the earth. To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom. There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory through Christ our Lord, through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Eucharistic Prayer IV He always loved those who were his own in the world. When the time came for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, he showed the depth of his love. While they were at supper, ------- Lord, look upon this sacrifice which you have given to your Church; and by your Holy Spirit, gather all who share this bread and wine into the one body of Christ, a living sacrifice of praise. [This EP IV is substantially the same as the new one]	Eucharistic Prayer IV For when the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, Father most holy, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end: and while they were at supper, ------- Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice which you yourself have provided for your Church, and grant in your loving kindness to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit, they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your glory.
Words of Institution TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND EAT IT: THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND DRINK FROM IT: THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.	Words of Institution TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith. Dying you destroyed our death. Rising you restored our Life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory. Lord by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the savior of the world. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.	The mystery of faith. We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again. Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. XXX
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom, where you live for ever and ever.	Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.	Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the 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.
Private Prayer during Purification Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and for ever.	Private Prayer during Purification What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.
The Mass is ended, go in peace. Go in the peace of Christ. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.	Go forth, the Mass is ended. Go in peace. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.