New Words:  A Deeper Meaning 
                                              - but the Same Mass

The Missale Romanum (the Roman MIssal), the ritual text for the celebration of the Mass, was first promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as the definitive text of the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council.  A second edition followed in 1975.

Pope John Paul II issued a revised version of the Missale Romanum during the Jubilee Year 2000.  The English translation of the revised Roman Missal had been completed, and the Bishops of the United States approved the final sections of the text in November 2009.  Among other things, the revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayer for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharist Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.  The English translation of the Roman MIssal will also include updated translation of existing prayers, including some of the well-known responses and acclamations of the people.

This is an important opportunity for everyone within the Catholic Church of the Dioceses of the United States to renew their understandng of the celebration of the Mass and how it forms our faith and our lives.

The Office of Liturgy has written several articles in the Catholic Times regarding the new Roman MIssal and is in the process of preparing additional training material.  Some material is ready now provided by the USCCB Bishop's Committee on Divine Worship, Liturgical Training Publications, and the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.

 The USCCB Bishop's Committee on Divine Worship has created a website that will help us become prepared for the re-translation of the Roman MIssal.  This site will continually be expanded as more material is prepared.  The site provides helpful resources for the faithful, for the clergy, and for parish and diocesan leaders.

The Liturgical Training Publications has prepared a set of pamphlets (8 in all) that will explain the changes in the different pars of the Mass.   These are available in individual sets or in packets of 25.   Quantity discounts are available.

The Notre Dame Center for Liturgy has prepared 6 hours of video presentation on the different aspects of the changes we will face when the translation of the Roman Missal is implemented.  Most of these videos are only 15 minutes long.  They are presented by Msgr. Bruce Harbert, Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Fr. Paul Turner, and Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S.

In March, the FDLC will send a package from Faith Catholic to every Bishop, Office of Worship, and parish in the country.  It will include a cover letter from Msgr. John Burton which gives a brief history of the FDLC and list the new and current resources which are available from FDLC on the new Roman Missal.

The Office of Liturgy has provided a number of articles in the Catholic Times that were written to help prepare the people of the Diocese for the New Roman Missal.  These articles are grouped into three pdf files.  They have been formated to fit a full sheet and each article can be used as a bulletin insert or as a handout at parish catechetical session on the new Missal.