"I Love the Smell of Accuracy in the Morning": Fr. Zuhlsdorf on Draft of new English Mass

What Does the Prayer Really Say ^ | 4/14/2007 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

[Claud]

A new draft of the ICEL translation is circulating and it is interesting to review it with an eye on those controversial bits.

...

Truth is victorious again.

Those who think we are all too stupid to understand Mass texts without them being dumbed down complained vigously about words and phrases that were tooo harrrd. None were harder than translating consubstantialis Patri in the Creed as "consubstantial with the Father".

Here is the text in the new ICEL draft:

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;

I love the smell of accuracy in the morning.

[Claud]

Fr. Z has posted 4 threads on the new English Mass draft...VERY heartening developments

[Claud]

Oops! Counted wrong.....5 articles! Here are they linked directly:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/04/dew-you-remember-the-dew-controversy-in-the-2nd-eucharistic-prayer/

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/04/enter-under-my-roof/

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/04/the-new-translation-draft-consubstantial/

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/04/through-my-most-grievous-fault/

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/04/new-icel-draft-of-the-roman-canon/

[Candor7]

The words are important but they might need to have the actaul force of mantra, which has been abandoned to intellectual meaning in Western religion.

Also there is no training of the lay people on how to hold their hearts and minds while in prayer.

But I also am very heartened by the interest in these changes recently made. They are actually quite wonderful
words.

[livius]

When is it actually going to be released and put into use? (I know, over Trautman’s cold, dead body...and I don’t believe he’s very old...)

[Claud]

Good question. Over at Valle Adurni, there’s word as follows:

“A priest friend of mine, recently returned from a long stay in South Africa, says that the new ICEL translation is now commonly available there, and is scheduled to be introduced into general usage this coming December—presumably the first Sunday of Advent. Some places have already begun using it.”

See more at:

http://valleadurni.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-icel-translation.html

Also, Father has the whole text of the Mass here:

http://valleadurni.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-translation.html

[Claud]

We’ll see...I know from my own stony heart how hard it is to keep a prayerful attitude during Mass.

But, God willing, at least I won’t be distracted by that vapid translation anymore! :)

[livius]

That’s promising. I’m sure they’ll delay as long as possible here in the US, of course.

It’s interesting to note that it seems to be only the English translation that was so warped. When I go to Mass in Spain, I hear an accurate (Spanish) translation, which I assume is used throughout the Spanish speaking world. But the English translation was always miserable and ideologically slanted, and evidently wasn’t even uniform throughout all the English speaking countries.

[livius]

Thanks for the link, btw. I hadn’t seen Valle Adurni before.

Incidentally, on Fr Z’s page he points out that the current ICEL draft has kept the translation “for all.” On Valle Adurni, it is mentioned that the commission is still quibbling over “for many,” vs some other options, such as “for the multitude.” So I imagine this is still in flux.

[Claud]

Yeah..I don’t know what to make of that stubborn “for all” that just won’t die.

But Rome was very clear on that issue, wasn’t it? Probably when this draft gets higher up the chain I imagine the Holy Father will correct that with a stroke of the pen. Many of the vernacular versions around the world are translated from the English not the Latin, so there are huge repercussions here.

[Claud]

To wit:

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=47719

One hopes this is a case of “Roma locuta, causa finita.” :)

[livius]

Looks promising. I don’t see how the ICEL (or even the USCCB) can get around that.

I’ve never understood the symbolic importance to the modernist wing of “for all.” It’s obviously a crucial phrase to them, however.

[Kolokotronis]

"Oμοουσιον" is a much better word since it avoids any misunderstanding which can arise with consubstantialis, but the Latin isn't bad since I confess I don't know what other word would do in Latin. Translating the Latin to "consubstantial with the Father" points directly to the problem, however. In English "consubstantial" points to "substance" and thus something tangible which creates an incorrect image of the Trinity as described in the Creed. "Consubstantialis" can of course mean (but doesn't have to) "of one essence" which is very, very nearly what the Greek means exclusively. Thus I would suggest that a better rendering in English would be, "One in essence with the Father" or "Of one essence with the Father".

[Tax-chick]

Thus I would suggest that a better rendering in English would be, "One in essence with the Father" or "Of one essence with the Father".

Interesting suggestions.

In my opinion, although "consubstantial" translates the Latin consubstantialis accurately, it doesn't mean anything to the average English speaker. We might as well repeat rote-memorized words in Latin, Spanish, or Greek, for all that conveys as a personal confession of belief in a truth about the Trinity.

[Kolokotronis]

"In my opinion, although "consubstantial" translates the Latin consubstantialis accurately, it doesn't mean anything to the average English speaker. We might as well repeat rote-memorized words in Latin, Spanish, or Greek, for all that conveys as a personal confession of belief in a truth about the Trinity." The same is pretty much true for Greeks and our converts with "Oμοουσιον". Some of us have a good handle on what it means, but most people don't. The English we have used, however, is almost exactly on the money.

[Salvation]

http://valleadurni.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-translation.html

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.

[Salvation]

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned greatly
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels ad Saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

[Salvation]

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 wit the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us 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 a the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and he 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.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

[Salvation]

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 be pleased to grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

[Salvation]

The mystery of faith.
We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your resurrection
until you come in glory.
or —
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come again.
or —
Saviour of the world, save us,
for by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.

[Salvation]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
you gave life to the world through your death.
By this your most holy Body and Blood
free me from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.
or —
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the receiving of your Body and Blood
not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through your loving mercy
let it be my protection in mind and body,
and healing remedy.

Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the banquet 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.