After the priest celebrant places the chalice containing the Precious Blood of the Lord on the altar and genuflects, he stands and announces, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith,” to which all of the faithful respond either by singing or speaking the Memorial Acclamation prayer. Currently, the Sacramentary provides four options for the Memorial Acclamation:
“Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.”
“When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.”
“Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.”
“Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”
When we begin to pray the Mass of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, the priest will proclaim a shortened declaration:
“The mystery of faith” (translated from its Latin source Mysterium fidei), will replace “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.”
This not only invites the faithful to acclaim the sacramental truth, but it also acclaims the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice already present on the altar (Mystical Body, Mystical Voice, 193). Responding to the priest’s new acclamation, the faithful will pray one of the three new formulas for the Memorial Acclamation, which are the revised translations of the corresponding Latin bases. The three new options for this prayer are as follows:
“We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again” (developed from 1 Corinthians 11:26),
“When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again” (also developed from 1 Corinthians 11:26),
“Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free” (developed from John 4:42; Mystical Body, Mystical Voice, 193)
One of the current acclamations, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again,” has not been included in the Roman Missal, Third Edition, and will not be an option for prayer when we come to the Memorial Acclamation. “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again,” is not erroneous (they are accurate statements about Jesus) but the form does not have the same scriptural character as the other acclamations. The first three acclamations, which we currently pray, and the three new translations, which we will pray starting in Advent, are directed to the Lord. In contrast, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again,” is an acclamation comprised of statements about the Lord but not explicitly directed to him. In this short dialogue between the priest and the faithful, we act not as passive recipients or observers but as disciples incorporated into Christ’s Body, the Word of God incarnate who has become sacramentally present to us.
More information may be found at www.usccb.org/romanmissal, the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and at www.mysticalbodymysticalvoice.org Mystical Body, Mystical Voice. A rich resource available to all is offered through Boston College School of Theology and Ministry: Roman Missal, Third Edition Click here to explore C21 Online’s free resource page on the Roman Missal, Third Edition. We have compiled a list of reliable websites that provide a variety of information about the new Roman Missal. There is sure to be one that matches your personal interests and ministry! Please contact any of the following if interested in finding out more: Steve Brown, Pat Colton, Pat Feige, Svea Fraser, Jerry Kehoe PLC@stjohnwellesley.org
