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St. Anthony Church Office Information
Rev. Robert F. Tucker, Pastor
Rectory Office
Secretaries: Carol Andrulis Mon.- Tues. and Cathleen Wyse Wed.-Fri.
Hours 8:30am-12:00pm Monday through Friday
Phone Number 860 567-5209
E-mail stanthonypadua@optonline.net
Mass Times:
Weekday Mass daily at 8:00am
Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil 5:00pm during spring/summer time and then 4:00pm when fall/winter time
On April 6, 2013 we will change from 4:00pm Vigil to 5:00pm Vigil. Mass on 4/6/2013 is at 5:00pm!
Sunday Masses 8:30am and 10:30am
CCD Coordinator is Mitzi Cappello
CCD office phone number: 860 567-4188
FYI:
You may obtain our bulletin electronically by going to seekandfind.com. In the "near box" type in Litchfield, CT, then click on St. Anthony Church and you may see the last several bulletins. At this site you may also sign up to recieve the bulletin weekly by email.
Below are the weekly entries into the Church bulletin regarding the changes to be made in the New Roman Missal. These changes begin on November 27, 2011.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
Over the next few weeks I will begin to explain in writing what I will talk about and share more with you in October and November; as we get closer to November 27th. In the English speaking world, the Roman Catholic Church is preparing for significant changes to the Mass, the first in 40 years. These changes are included in a new English-Language translation of the Roman Missal that must be used by the authority of the
The Lord Be With You……., the new response of the people will be:….And With Your Spirit.
This is a much closer and better translation of the original Latin. The same will be when the priest says:
The Peace of the Lord be with you always. The response will be:…And with your Spirit.
These are indeed the correct translation of the Latin. Other changes will be explained in the coming weeks.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
“And With Your Spirit”
This phrase will be the most noticeable change from “and also with you”. English is the only major language of European origin that does not mention the spirit in the current translation in the response. This new form has both tradition and wide spread use in every other language. This Christian use of “spirit” in both Greek and Latin was strange to the ancient world. It comes from the Hebrew term RUAH which means breath or spirit. The “spirit” mentioned here specifically to the spirit received in ordination. Thus, it is an affirmation by the assembly of Mass that the ordained minister, priest, has received the appropriate anointing with the spirit to make him the leader in sacramental ministry. The ordination, prayer for a bishop asks God for the spirit of leadership and for the spirit of grace and counsel. Each rank of Holy Orders thus receives with “spirit’ in a specific way at ordination. Thus the response….and with your spirit…is less about the person than about the office of the Priesthood, which comes by the spirit in ordination.
A Mass History
Ø In the Beginning: God creates humanity as priests, “by nature…religious beings”
Ø 2000 B.C. – Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, brings Abraham bread and win.
Ø 1050 B.C. – King David codifies Israelite liturgy.
Ø 30 A.D. – Jesus Christ institutes the Mass at the Last Supper.
Ø 45 A.D. –
Ø 155 - St. Justin Martyr describes, in detail, the Mass as celebrated in
Ø 385 – St. Ambrose describes the liturgy as “Mass”
Ø 1545-1563 – Council of Trent addresses Protestant errors regarding the
Ø 1570 – Tridentine Mass published.
To Be Continued………
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
“I Believe”
The emerging pattern seems to be that when we confess our sins and when we confess our faith, the church wants us to use the “I.” When we otherwise say or sing prayers of praise or mercy, it is rather “We.” In a beautiful way, when a Catholic prays the Mass, we are both one in many: many parts, one body; many grains, one loaf; many minds, united in one faith in the one mind of Jesus Christ. The initial use of the Creed in the Mass was in the context of baptism, and thus employed the singular form “I believe.” In 1014 it became the norm at mass to say the creed and the “I” became a “We.” The original baptismal context of the Creed calls us to take personal responsibility for our faith by the use of the “I.” Each of us singularly speaks as the one body of Christ in crying out “I Believe”. So in November we will be changing the beginning of the Creed from “We believe” to “I believe.”
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
CONSUBSTANTIAL: This unusual word will soon appear in the language of the Nicene Creed said at mass each Sunday. This phrase “consubstantial with the Father” will replace the current “one in being with the Father.” The word consubstantial carries some complexities of meaning with it. The early Church Fathers wanted to be very precise in the language to be used for this great mystery of faith in the Father and the Son. From the very beginning the Latin creed translated the word as “consubstantialem” as the best and most precise philosophical and theological word for this relationship. By breaking down this word con-sub-stantial we come to a better understanding. The root word “substance” sub meaning understand; stance meaning standing is a technical, philosophical term that refers to the most real part of a being. Literally it refers to that which “stands under” the base of a person or thing, that which is at the heart of someone or something. In the Eucharist, for example, we say that bread and wine are transubstantiated into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The form remains the same but their inner-stance, the reality underneath the appearance is changed. That is why we do not say the bread and wine are transformed, but rather
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
The other part of consubstantial is the prefix “con”. It comes from the Latin preposition “cum” meaning “together with”. In the Creed, consubstantial means that Christ was of one substance with the Father, but it also implies one substance with our humanity. Christ alone might be spoken of as con-substantial, and reference to His two natures – human and divine shared as one with the Father and with us. The current translation “one in being” does not bare this kind of multi-valence and is not as precise. The English word being “has a broader meaning than the philosophical substance”. When dealing with the Creed, it is important to be as precise as possible and in this Great Mystery of the relationship of Jesus Christ to God the Father and to us, it is essential
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
(Changes will be made November 27, 2011)
“For Many”
Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI himself made the change in the Eucharistic prayer said by the Priest from the words “for all” to “for many”. The Holy Father has expressed strong and sound reasons for this change – “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant; it will be shed for you and “for all” so that sins may be forgiven.” This “for all” will become “for many”
1. The Synoptic Gospels, make specific reference to the “many” for whom the Lord is offering the sacrifice. This is the most faithful translation as given by biblical scholars.
2. The Roman Right in Latin has always said “pro multis” (for many) and never “pro omnibus” (for all) at the consecration of the chalice.
3. The various Oriental rights employ “pro multis” also.
4. “For many” is a more faithful translation and belongs properly to the catechesis of the Eucharist.
5. The expression “for many” is scripturial, historical, ecumenical, and has a more solid theological interpretation. While salvation is offered to all, there are some that do not accept it. For those who reject the gift of the church. It entrusts them to the mercy of God. Christ’s death on the Cross was intended for all but it can only help those who respond to it freely and willingly. The Eucharistic prayer refers to those who accept it, and hence, “for many” the best translation.
6. It is the hope of the Pope and the Church that when the words “for many” are heard as spoken over the chalice at the time of consecration, a personal affirmation of faith will be made by all and a desire to truly accept and live the gift of salvation.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“CHALICE”
In November instead of using the word cup we will be using from now on the word “chalice”: “Take this all of you and drink from it, for this is the Chalice of my blood…” There is a theology and scripture behind this change. The Latin word for cup is “poculum.” It refers to an individual drinking cup. The Latin word for chalice is “calyx” which is a cup meant to be shared. In all the accounts of the Last Supper Jesus tells the Apostles to drink from the one “calyx” and it would be passed from person to person to be shared. This means that when we eat and drink the body and blood of Christ all are equal. In the days of Jesus the chalice had two handles to show that it was to be passed person to person and to remind us of the communitarian dimension of the Eucharist. One word can make all the difference even though we do not have handles on our modern day chalices.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“Under My Roof”
At present, just before communion, everyone states, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” The new response is a quotation from the Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 7:6-7, and it will be “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”. It calls to mind the faith, humility and reverence of the Centurion in this Gospel, who sought the healing power of Jesus, but felt unworthy to have Jesus come under the roof of his house. Christians who approach the altar are called to have the same faith, humility and reverence in preparing to receive the Eucharist under the roof of their body. Just as the roof is the external shelter for what is most important to us as social beings – our family – so too is our body - the roof of external shelter - to protect our soul. It is important for Catholics to realize how thoroughly scriptural the prayers and actions of the mass must be. These new translations ensure that the underlying scriptural text and theological meanings stand forth more strongly, even at the cost of what may initially appear to be a slightly odd turn of phrase. When the new translation is used and becomes part of our vocabulary, then we will have a better scriptural and theological word as part of our daily prayer prior to the Eucharist.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“Gloria”
Over the next few weeks we will be explaining the changes in the Gloria and then in the Nicene Creed. These changes are to nurture a love and respect for the Church’s public worship in these two long prayers said by all. It reminds us that the mass and the prayers of the mass are not “ours”, they belong to the church. The Church orders and oversees our life and worship. The Mass is the source and summit of our spiritual lives. The new translations of the Mass prayers are fixed by the Church, neither local bishops or parish priests may presume to change these. They are part of the powerful impact of the Whole in worshiping God as a Roman Catholic Church. We may have our own personal opinion and criticism but the changes must be followed through as given by Pope Benedict XVI. This is essential for the unity and spiritual welfare of all. Presently we pray: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
The New Gloria will be: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father” – continue next week…….
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“Gloria” continued from last week
The church is now inviting us to faithfully and reverently celebrate the sacrifice of the Eucharist with a new and better scriptural translation. We continue the Gloria. It was “Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen
Our new translation: “Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world; receive our prayer; You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father”. Amen
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“The Creed”
Of all the parts of the Mass we pray together, the Creed is the one in which the most noticeable changes will occur with the new translation in November 2011. The Creed – also know as the Profession of Faith – brings together the essential elements of our faith; elements that are expressed in different ways in other parts of the
One feature of the new translation “I believe” will be used in a four fold repetition, giving this longer prayer a formal structure by anchoring it in four major sections.
1. “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”
The Latin word Credo means “I believe”. The creed is built around our personal and communal belief in the Holy Trinity….Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
To be continued next week.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“The Creed” continued…
The second of the four fold repletion of, “I Believe” is
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.
The lengthiest portion of the Creed is devoted to expressing our faith in Jesus Christ. The first section calls to mind that He is truly God, who became incarnate-literally, “in-flesh-born” in a human body-yet who remains completely and eternally consubstantial with the Father. In Latin; com, equals with. Substantia equals the substance of. This word consubstantial is unfamiliar to most of us. It is a faith language word used to express our unique belief about Jesus Christ. Consubstantial is one of the main new Latin translated words that will begin to be used in our Creed as of November.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
“The Creed” continued…
The third of the four fold repetition of “I believe”, they are words that give our personal faith in Jesus Christ as a brief encapsulation of His life as expressed in the Gospels. In Mass, we have just heard a particular Gospel passage as well as a homily to help us live the gospel here and now. This recitation of the Creed helps us to remember the larger story from which these Gospels come.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, 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 die 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.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
The Creed; the Fourth Repetition of “I believe”
Our belief In the Holy Spirit flows directly into what we believe about the Church, since it is through the power of the Spirit that Christ continues to be present and active in the Church and its Saints. Like the Saints, we celebrate throughout the year and to whom we give special attention on November 1st, we look forward to our final resurrection. We look forward to eternity with all the angels and saints around the throne of the lamb and so we dare to state:
“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.”
Changes will be made November 27, 2011
One of the final changes in the new English translations of the Mass will be a change coming from a direct quote from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 8:8 “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” This is a significant change but is a direct quote acknowledging that we wish to have the Lord come under our entire being, head to toes, just as the roof protects the whole house so we ask the Lord to enter through our heads, hearts and bodies, feeding us, protecting us and giving us the strength we need to live our faith.
This change replaces the words, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed. So rather than just saying to receive you, we wish Him to enter at His choice and our openness to this gift of the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
One of the major reasons for the new translations and changes in our Mass is that a better translation will reveal a richer, deeper theology and hopefully enhance the spiritual lives of all. One change that the priest alone will be doing, but that you have often heard, is from the third Eucharistic Prayer. At present it states, “From age to age you gather a people to yourself so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name.” The new text will read, “You never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to it’s setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.” At first glance this may not seem to be very different but the small details in the new translation give us a better scriptural context. Psalm 113:3 states, “From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.” This psalm and prayer is to call to mind the greatness and the goodness of God with the use of the divine blessing of light and warmth that comes from the sun. The words east and west are deficient because they fail to speak of the cosmological context that is found in Scripture. Our prayers are to be structured out of the stone, metal, glass and wood-matter from the earth and the universe. Our use of the elements of bread and wine that exist purely from the benefits of the sun: light enables the growth of the wheat and grapes to grow that make the bread and wine to become the Eucharist. Thus the cosmological nature of the liturgy will help us to better grasp how the liturgy and the Eucharist involve the entire world around us.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
For many Catholics, it is the Communion Rite of the Mass that keeps us returning for worship. This is when we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Communion Rite: The rituals surrounding the sharing of Holy Communion are not changing, but some of the words are, and will be different. The Lord’s Prayer, itself has not changed. Some changes have been made in the Priest’s part. We will not mention a lot of these, but some so you will be aware. The Priest will introduce the Lords Prayer with some new words. For example, “At the Savior’s command and formed by Divine teaching, we dare to say.” then the Lord’s Prayer. In the prayer after there will be a change instead of “asking protection from all anxiety” it will be, “we pray we will be safe from all distresses.” The prayer concerns the circumstances that causes distress, not the interior feeling of anxiety. Instead of saying, “we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior…”the Priest will now say “we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” These words echo the letter of
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Lamb of God
During the breaking of the bread in the Communion Rite, the Priest recites quietly a short prayer, and we all say, “The Lamb of God” prayer. Then just before the distribution of Holy Communion, the Priest makes an announcement, by stating, (New Translation-Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.) All respond, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
The previous translation was, “this is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper”. And people responded, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed”.
The reason for the changes; the new translation is closer to the Latin and to the words of John the Baptist from the Gospel of John 1:29. The word “happy” has been changed to “blessed” because you are blessed even when you are experiencing sorrow. This change is a reference to Revelation 19:9, where it states, “the supper of the lamb”. The idea of the word Roof, is a direct reference to Mathew 8:8 and Luck 7:6. Please check these Gospel passages. The Roof does not refer to the roof of our mouth, but to our whole being and we are imitating the humility of the Centurion in the Scripture so that Jesus will not avoid us because of our sins, but will come to us on the strength of our virtue. The word, “soul” is being restored where ever it appears in the Latin. This is to show that we are asking for a spiritual healing not a generic healing or even a physical healing, which might be understood, with the word “I”. It will take us time, effort and prayer to adjust to these changes, but we will get this prayerfully into our minds and heart for the Lord.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
The Concluding Rites
Changes November 27th
The new translation offers options to the Priest for the concluding of the mass. He may say, “Go forth, the mass is ended.” “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” “Go in Peace, Glorifying the Lord by your life,” or just “Go in Peace.” These new formulas are to help us realize we are not just leaving the building but we are entering the world with a mission. The response of the people to any and all of these statements is, ”Thanks be to God.”
As we have been explaining the revised translation achieves a greater adherence to the original Latin than the former one did in 1973. The original translation was done quickly so that we could move from praying in Latin to praying in English. With the passing of time and a better understanding of our faith, we now move to a better translation that has been enriched through a reexamination of the original text in Latin. Many of our prayers that the Priest will say are crafted will now be saying a poetry, rhythm, structure and sentiment. You will begin to hear, read and notice these in our missalette, starting in November. The beauty of the language hopefully will also proclaim the beauty of our relationship with God.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“And with your Spirit”
A big difference in a little phrase. This slight change from “and also with you” has much greater meaning both concerning the ordained priesthood and the wishes of believers for their clergy. This difference will be the most noted as we repeat this phrase 5 times in the course of a typical mass. True Catholicity is universality not only in space, but in time. We need to respect the past as well as the present. In Semitic culture, it was an evident response of wishing the Spirit of God or asking God to bless others in their greetings, where we say “hello, what’s new, what’s cooking, what’s up”, they would say, “the Lord be with you.” And the answer was “may the Lord bless you too”. In the New Testament Letters of St. Paul, we find these words, “the Lord be with your Spirit”; “The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ be with your Spirit”. It seems probable that this greeting was used in the Synagogue liturgies and the earliest Christians adapted the form. The Apostolic Tradition also uses the words, “and with your Spirit”. In the Third and Fourth Centuries, the Mystagogical preaching uses the same “and with your Spirit”. This was an invocation of the Holy Spirit to come down in blessing upon the Priest and his people, just as the Spirit comes down upon the offering of bread and wine. It is an important moment to highlight the Spirit’s power to transform not only the elements of bread and wine, but that all of us, Priests and People, will be transformed by this Spirit.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“And with your Spirit”
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Penitential Rite”
A small but significant change will take place at the beginning of mass at the Confiteor. The new translation better reflects the Latin text of the mass and hopefully will help us cultivate a more humble, sorrowful attitude about our sins. At present, we simply state, “Lord I have sinned through my own fault.” In the new text we will take from the Latin and will repeat three times as we would strike our breast in a sign of humble repentance….”through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault”. This repetition comes from the Latin Confiteor to express our sorrow. When we are at fault over something small, we might just say, “I’m sorry”; but if it is a more serious matter and we are deeply sorrowed over our action, we often apologize several times. This new translation in the Liturgy helps us recognize that sinning against God is not light matter. We must take responsibility for whatever wrong we have done and what every good we failed to do. We are not simply to offer an apology to God. This prayer is to help the Christian express heartfelt contrition and humbly admit that one has sinned, “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault”.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Memorial Acclimation”
After the Consecration of the Mass, the Priest will now say “The Mystery of Faith” rather than “now let up proclaim the Mystery of faith”. The people will have new responses:
1. We proclaim your Death, Oh Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
2. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Oh Lord, until you come again.
3. Save us, Savior of the World, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set up free.
Prior to these words, some changes have been made to the translation of the Words of Institution from the Last Supper. The word “cup”, has now been changed to “Chalice”. This is a more accurate and revered of the Latin text. This most sacred of Vessels has traditionally been called the chalice. The previous translation of the Mass referred to Jesus’ blood having redemptive value for all. The new translation replaces the words “for all” with “for many”. This revision remains closer to Jesus’ actual words of institution in the Gospel (Matthew 26:28). This wording has been used in the Liturgy for centuries. This new translation points to the reality that while Jesus died for all, not everyone chooses to accept this gift. Each individual must choose to welcome the gift of salvation in Christ and live according to that grace so that they may be among “the many” who are described in this text. The words, “the many” are used in the Old Testament three times by Isaiah. Jesus, by speaking at the Last Supper, about his own blood being poured out “for many” was associating himself with this Suffering Servant figures prophesized by Isaiah. Jesus is the one who offers his life for the many.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
At the end of the Preface, there will be a slight change in the first line of this acclimation. Previous translation, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Power and Might:. The new translation, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of Hosts”. This passage is based on the book of Isaiah 6:3. Isaiah has a vision of God sitting upon a lofty throne and angels are in attendance. They sing about this Holiness to one another. Even though their in divine presence, they talk about God, they do not address God. We are now directly addressing God with this new stand because that is what the entire Eucharist prayer is about. We say it or sing it in a way that even the angles did not do! In this, we lift up our souls in a universal hymn of praise to our God. In Latin, the word for Host appears, Sabaoth. Actually the word is Hebrew, Sabaoth refers to God’s command over an army of angels. This new word Hosts, the angelic host, the invisible power that works at God’s command - to show He has all the powers under his control. Shortly after this, we ask the Holy Spirit to exercise that power by changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. There is no change in the rest of this acclamation.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Institution Narrative”
The most critical part of the Mass where the Priest repeats the words of Jesus from the Last Supper will also change. The new translation as the Priest lifts the consecrated bread will be, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.” The difference is the insertion of the words, “Of” and “For”. The meaning is the same but the translation expresses that we all share some of the same bread. By partaking, of one bread, we become one body in Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:17. Furthermore, the reason we share this food is because it is the body of Christ given up for us. The word “for” draws out this purpose. There are other differences that the priest will use, concerning the CHALICE of wine. The word, Chalice will replace the word cup. This is to refer to the vessel on the Altar that is called a chalice. Jesus invited the disciples to drink the contents of the chalice and He proclaims the purpose of this action in one sentence, stated, “which will be poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me”. The covenant is called eternal instead of everlasting in the new translation for eternal is beyond possible measurement of any kind, everlasting has the confines of time. Instead of “shed”, the revised translation uses “poured out”. This new verb has a more active quality to it. Jesus did not merely shed his blood, he poured out his blood for us. The Passion is not just something that happened to Jesus, but something he freely chose to undergo. Also, the word, “many” will replace, “all”. The word many is a word Jesus, himself used at the Last Supper according to the Gospel of Matthew 26:28 and Mark 14:24. It is probably an allusion to Isaiah 53:12, the Prophecy about the Suffering Servant who bore the sins of many. This is to point out the reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Small Word Changes”
After the priest washes his hands during the Preparation of the Gifts, he invites us to pray. His words will be slightly different. “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.” Your response will be the same accept for one word, the word “Holy” before the word church. The word “Holy” appears in the Latin so it applies to the English. “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands…..”
You will notice here the expansion from the words “our sacrifice” to the words, “my sacrifice and yours.” In keeping with the Latin, this implies that more than one sacrifice is being offered. The Mass is a single sacrifice offered by all present. On the other hand, each baptized member of the congregation is offering a personal sacrifice, in keeping with his or her priestly role; however, each participates in the one sacrifice of Christ. This comes from the Scripture where St. Peter states, “we are all meant to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
The prayers used at the Mass that the Priest prays have all been re-translated. The words will sound a little different and it will even take time for the priest to comprehend some of the differences but they will all end with the word, “Amen”. The problem is because of the Latin translation, sentences are longer and more involved and the vocabulary is broader, but the hope is we will be going back to prayers that date to the third and fourth centuries. Let us pray together, this will make us more attentive and aware of the importance of prayer for mind and heart, not just being Rote
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“The Doxology”
The Doxology of the Priest at the end of The Eucharistic Prayer will be slightly different to imitate the flow of the Latin. In addition, it names the three Persons of the Trinity, in succession, so it is easier to tell that the prayer is offered to God, the Father, Through Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. The words will be “Through him, with him and in him, Oh God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.” You only need to respond “Amen”.
Our Faith
Mass: Prayers and Responses
Changes November 27th
“Acclamation of Faith”
Following the Institution of the Eucharist, when the Priest repeats the words of Jesus from the Last Supper consecrates the bread and wine, he genuflects in adoration. He then will say to you, “ The Mystery of Faith”. You are accustomed to hearing him say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” But what appears in Latin is “The Mystery of Faith”. This, along with other changes, is to be simply, faith-filled statements that prompt our faith response. The point is to keep our thoughts and words directed toward God, the Father. It is your personal and communal Acclamation of Faith. There are three new Acclamations that come from the Latin and have a deeper meaning. The one that most of us have known and will miss is no longer one of the three….”Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.” The reason it has been dropped is it was not part of the Latin and is a statement of faith about Christ, rather than a prayer to him. The acclamation is to express your role as a community of believers who will share the Eucharist and await its fulfillment. The intensity of the three new statements shows the connection between the dying and rising of Jesus and the way we proclaim it in anticipation of his coming.
New Translations
1. “We proclaim your Death O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.”
2. ”When we eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.”
3. “Save us, Savior of the World, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.”
Thank you for reading and reflecting over these over the past months, if you missed any they can be found on our website
Next Sunday, IT ALL HAPPENS……NOVEMBER 27TH – THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. From that day on we will need to be glued for the next three months to our Missalettes.
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