Priests prepare for new missal translation

MORE than 100 Religious priests and seminarians in the Archdiocese of Manila attended yesterday the last in a series of seminars on the New English Translation of the Roman Missal.

The seminar, held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), is part of the efforts of the archdiocese to devote a period of catechesis before it is implemented on the first Sunday of Advent this year.

“This is to prepare the priests in the changes of the translation of the Mass in English. So that when they celebrate the Mass using the new English translation they understand what has been changed,” said Fr. Genaro Diwa, the head of the Ministry for Liturgical Affairs.

“We cannot teach lay people without teaching our priests and understanding the new English translation,” he said.

Father Diwa said the principle of the new translation is a literal translation of the Latin texts to English. The Philippine edition, however, will be adapted in the country’s liturgical calendar.

For example, the response to “The Lord be with you” will be “And with your spirit” instead of “And also with you.”

He said songs and prayers will also have to be changed because of the new texts of the new English translation, and seminars will also be given to lay people all throughout the year.

“Everyone recognizes that the translation is not perfect. But we must also recognize that translation is an art rather than a perfect science,” Father Diwa told the participants.

There are several issues with the current translation but these are now “water under the bridge,” according to Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., the assistant director of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission.

“There may be some defects or insufficiency but what is important is the Catechesis to the people. This is not the final translation. It will be reviewed every 25 years,” he said.

During the seminar Father Arada talked about presiding in the liturgy in order for priests to “relearn how to preside the Eucharist well, how to celebrate it meaningfully and prayerfully.”

He also invited the clergy to look at what they’ve learned years ago in the seminary – how they extend their hands, how they pray the Eucharistic prayers and how they proclaim the Word of God.

After giving Catechesis to all priests, catechists and religion teachers by June, the Archdiocese plans to gradually implement the changes in Missal, particularly the responses.

Related report from ucanews.com