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WELCOMING THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL

• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops prepared many documents to address the changes in the Roman Missal. You can download these documents from our website.
• Check out our quick guide to the changes.
• Learn the new musical settings for prayers that are changing.
• Learn the new Gloria
• Fr. Pat's Homily (Debut of new Roman Missal) on November 27, 2011

Introducing the new Roman Missal
Beginning with the new liturgical year on the first Sunday of Advent (November 27, 2011), Catholics will use a new Roman Missal. The new Roman Missal includes changes to the Order of the Mass - the words spoken during Mass from the Sign of the Cross at the beginning to the dismissal at the end. Some of the changes are quite small and some are more significant. We ask for your prayers and for your patience as our community of faith makes this important transition.

In the months leading up to the change, we spent time talking about and introducing the changes. This page is meant to be a quick study guide. You can see a quick reference guide to the changes, but we encourage you to spend time learning more about the changes and the reasons behind them. Our Worship Resources page lists several links, both from the Archdiocese and from the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops that explain the changes in greater detail.

Why the changes?
There are three primary reasons for the changes in the Roman Missal. First, they are rooted more closely in Scriptural references. You would be amazed at the number of Scriptural references that already exist in the Mass. Many Catholics stumble across a passage in the Bible, only to realize that they have long known that passage as a part of the Mass. Some of the prayers and responses have been refined to make a more direct connection to the Scriptural reference. For example, instead of saying, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you..." we will say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof..." which matches the language in the story of the centurion in Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6.

Second, the new Roman Missal has changed the English translations to be closer to the original Latin text. For example, after the priest says, "The Lord be with you." we will now reply, "And with your spirit." This more closely follows the Latin "Et cum spiritu tuo."

Finally, the church believes that Mass is an occasion worthy of elevated language. Some of the responses in the new Roman Missal sound more poetic and refined. There is a conscious effort to appreciate and incorporate the beauty of the Latin texts and to incorporate the language used in the Scriptures without abandoning English as the language of the Mass.

Who decided on what would change and what would stay the same?
The first complete English translation of the Mass dates back to 1973. Back then, the members of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) hammered out the translation. The same Commission (albeit with new members) worked on the new translation, with the suggestions and approval of the conferences of bishops from around the world. Ultimately, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in consultation with the Vox Clara Committee, made some final changes before approving them for publication.

How on earth am I going to remember all of these changes? I've known the responses for so long, they are automatic.
You definitely won't be alone in your struggle to adapt to the changes. Much like those struggling 38 years ago when the Latin changed to English, it will take some time before these responses become automatic. There are also changes in the language that the priest uses during the Mass, so our celebrants will also be challenged to learn the new language of the Mass. No worries. We are all in this together.

The church has purchased quick pocket guides to be kept in the seats inside the church, as quick reminders we can use during the Mass. Additionally, each family at St. Thomas a'Becket will receive a copy of the booklet Understanding the Revised Mass Texts, Second Edition. (More details on its distribution later.) Change can be very difficult; however, if we open our hearts and minds to the change and practice grace and hospitality to those around us, we will find the process easier.

Exactly what is changing and what are the new responses?
Click here to examine the changes in the responses in a side by side comparison. This is just a quick reference guide. For a complete guide to changes, please visit the links provided on our Worship Resources page.

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