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You're not only dealing with the fact that the Novus Ordo Missae was not derived explicity from the Second Vatican Council, but also, the fact that the English translation of the Ordo Missae Cum Populo is yet another step removed from the Latin text in which the new Mass was issued.

In the 1975 Edition of the Ordo Missae Cum Populo, during the Consecration, the Novus Ordo text reads the same as the old traditional Mass:

"Mysterium fìdei."

The reference is to the Blessed Sacrament itself, which is the Mystery of Faith. This fact is stated by Pope Paul VI himself within the first couple paragraphs of his encyclical called, of all things believe it or not, Mysterium Fidei:

"The Catholic Church has always devoutly guarded as a most precious treasure the mystery of faith, that is, the ineffable gift of the Eucharist which she received from Christ her Spouse as a pledge of His immense love..."

But the translation "Mysterium Fidei" into English version of the Mass we're all familiar with reads as follows:

"Let us proclaim the mystery faith:"

Followed of course, by "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

Now the whole time I was growing up, I thought that the "Mystery of Faith" was "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." Now where did I get that goofy idea? Is that what was intended? Imho, yes. Is it correct? No. Who drew that conclusion? Me.

So we have this translation of "Mysterium Fidei" translated as "Let us proclaim the mystery faith:"... but it wasn't until I attended the traditional Latin Mass that I finally understood this phrase "Mysterium Fidei", because before that quite frankly, I wondered exactly what it meant and I didn't get it. It's just one example of many that, for whatever reason, made the biggest impression on me when comparing the new Mass with the old.

There's more to all this than meets the eye.

Hello pascendi,

I am sorry I have been so slow in responding to your post regarding the meaning of the "mystery of faith."

It is indeed a reference to the Eucharist: Christ becoming present in His humanity and in His divinity. The Mass makes present the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus as well. We are proclaiming that which has taken place before us when we say: "Christ has died, Christ is risen" and, since He is truly present among us, we could rightfully follow that with: "Christ has come again." (Not that I am suggesting we change the liturgy! ;o)