Will Catholic Mass Changes Cause Mass Confusion?

Washington Post ^ | November 24, 2011 | Elizabeth Tenety

[Steelfish]

11/23/2011 Will Catholic Mass Changes Cause Mass Confusion? Elizabeth Tenety

The Catholic Church, its religious authorities often remind its followers, is intentionally slow to change, if it ever changes at all. The ritual of Communion, where the priest consecrates the bread and wine for distribution to the faithful, for example, has been observed in similar fashion for thousands of years.

But this weekend, millions of English-speaking Catholics will experience some of the most profound change in their lifetime when the words of the Catholic liturgy are phased out in favor of a new translation.

As Michelle Boorstein reported this month, a summer survey showed that most Catholics were then unaware of the upcoming changes. In recent weeks, say church officials, priests and parishes have been preparing Catholics through instruction at religious services, direct mailings and communication campaigns.

The overhaul has been in the works for a decade, and “is aimed at unifying the more than 1 billion Catholics worldwide with a translation that is as close as possible to the original Latin version.” In some cases, the new language will more literally reflect the Scripture passages on which liturgical prayers were based.

One example of that shift is in a line familiar to Catholics at the height of the Mass, just before Communion. “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,” Catholics have said for decades. This weekend, those words change to, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” This new translation borrows from a story in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus entered a man’s home and healed his servant.

If you’re attending Mass this weekend, here’s what you need to know:

[Sacajaweau]

We need to put respect back into the Catholic church. This shaking hands, guitars etc...is making it a junk religion.

[G Larry]

Not a problem!

Changes are small and will be available for parishioners to follow along.

It WILL require that you PAY ATTENTION and not just go from memory.

I like that MEANING is restored, in favor of the watered down “ecumenical” verbiage.

[Chode]

bingo... back to the Latin Mass for starters

[Steelfish]

Agree 100%. As usual this rot began in American liberal parishes.

[Puddleglum]

we’ve got chear sheets in our pews - and I need them.

[livius]

The “changes”(just a slightly different translation, not real changes) are virtually minuscule, for either the priest or the people. However, the “Spirit of VII” folks staked their whole program on being able to hollow out and destroy the Mass, which they could only do if they had total control over the text...and during a while, the “local option” put in by the USCCB gave them the ability to say and do virtually anything they wanted.

What is really freaking them out is that Rome is taking charge of the liturgy again. This translation is meant to be followed and used, and they’re beginning to realize that the fun is over for them and they didn’t win.

[Puddleglum]

“chear” = “cheat”

[Sacajaweau]

When Guttenberg and his printing press came around, there was great fear about interpreting the bible. Everyone is still guessing to a certain point.

[Puddleglum]

If they would only get rid of taking the Eucharist by hand, I would be very happy.

[RebelTXRose]

We are actually going to a BETTER, TRUER translation of the changes after Vatican II. I welcome the change - disappointed that our pastor hasn’t mentioned much beyond the bulletin inserts. We do have new Mass books in the pews- in addition to the book for the new liturgical year. I do think many in our congregation will make the effort to follow the Mass book.

[notaliberal]

We need to put respect back into the Catholic church. This shaking hands, guitars etc...is making it a junk religion.

Agree, 1000 percent...And the disrespect to our Lord before Mass has got to end—STOP THE TALKING AND KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE PEW!!!!!!!! Recognize God's presence before you start talking among yourselves—so disgusting.

[Biggirl]

Simply this is a homecoming for the English-speaking Roman Catholics this weekend back to its spiritual roots, which includes its Biblical.

[Sacajaweau]

I saw my wonderful parish, Corpus Christi in Rochester, NY, totally ruined thanks to gays and “supposed” female priests.

[TSgt]

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.: - Matthew 6:7


He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. - Mark 6:7-9

[oh8eleven]

This shaking hands, guitars etc...is making it a junk religion.
Came back from VN in '68 and my first Mass back home was a "folk Mass."
Beginning of the end for me.

[jtal]

The Catholic Church, its religious authorities often remind its followers, is intentionally slow to change, if it ever changes at all.

which makes the "stuff" (exercising religion forum forbearance) shoved down the throats of the faithful 40-odd years ago all the more outrageous and inauthentic.

[UB355]

Vatican II was held in America ?

[Texas Eagle]

What was wrong with the words Jesus said to his disciples?

Catholics. Sheesh.

[MarkBsnr]

Vatican II was held in America ?

The interpretation of Vatican II in America coincided with the hippie peace love dope generation. The Vatican was remiss in its oversight of heretical bishops - much like what happened in the East in the first millennium.