Information on new Missal to be delivered in parishes on Sunday

At this weekend’s Mass New Zealand Catholics will be read a letter from the bishops about the new English translation of the Roman Missal and receive a booklet on understanding the revised Mass texts.

The letter says, “It is rare for ritual language to change. It will not be easy to let go of the words that we have said, heard, and sung at Mass and receive the words that are changing... We are convinced that by paying close attention to both the demands and the delights these new texts will place upon us, we will inevitably be drawn more fully into the beauty of liturgical prayer”.

The bishops invite people to join them in making use of the different opportunities that will arise over the following months to look at how Eucharist is being celebrated in parishes, schools and communities; to give prayerful and thoughtful consideration towards liturgical practices; and to make time to explore the new texts.

The bishops are currently working towards the printing of the new book, which received final approval (recognitio) from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments on 30 April 2010. They hope it will be in use in New Zealand Catholic Churches by November.