Over the past several weeks we have discussed some changes in the Roman Missal translation, starting with the Introductory Rites (please log onto St. John’s website, www.stjohnwellesley.org and visit the Parish Liturgical Commission page, or go to “Previous Bulletins” for Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, 2011. See the last page.) The Collect or Opening Prayer concludes the Introductory Rites. This prayer includes the intent of the celebration and “collects” the prayers and intentions of the people, after which there is a short silence and the people make the prayer their own by acclaiming, “Amen.” All sit, then, for the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Word includes the biblical readings (which remain virtually unchanged), followed by the homily, then the Profession of Faith (the Creed) and finally the Prayer of the Faithful. The Liturgy of the Word reaches its high point in the proclamation of the Gospel. However, the use of Scripture in the Mass does not end when the Liturgy of the Word has finished. In fact, the words of Scripture flow throughout the prayers of the Mass. One of the goals of the new translation of the Missal is to make clearer the links between the prayers of the Mass and the text of Scripture.
After the homily, all stand to recite the Creed. Of note are the few, yet significant, word changes in the Creed. The words in italics are new:
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe 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;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven
(all bow up to and including “and became man”)
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 at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Notable among these new translations is the change from first person to plural: “We believe” to “I believe.” Literally, the Latin reads “Credo,” which translates “I believe.” In addition to being a more precise translation, “In its origins, the Creed was a baptismal formula, which accounts in part for its first person singular blessing. Today, the ‘I believe’ is the confession of the Church, the belief of the one Mystical Body, as well as the profession of the individual faith.” (Mystical Body, Mystical Voice,152). Similarly, the word “consubstantial,” which replaces “one in being,” is a more precise translation of the Latin consubstantialem. This word is the Latin rendering of the Greek homoousious, meaning “of the same substance” (with the Father), thereby upholding the truth of Jesus, God the Son, being equal yet distinct from God the Father. Both the Father and Son have in common the same divine nature.
The Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Prayer of the Faithful. (www.holynamecathedral.org Roman Missal, July 10, 2011 bulletin entry)
Please contact any of the following if interested in finding out more: Steve Brown, Pat Colton, Pat Feige, Svea Fraser, Jerry Kehoe
Parish Liturgical Commission email: PLC@stjohnwellesley.org
