WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 23, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the approval of the new English-language translation of the Roman Missal.
Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, announced Friday that the text of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, has been issued for used in the dioceses of the United States.
In a letter sent Friday to the U.S. bishops, he stated: «The use of the third edition of the Roman Missal enters into use in the dioceses of the United States of America as of the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. From that date forward, no other edition of the Roman Missal may be used in the dioceses of the United States of America.»
Along with this proclamation, the cardinal reported the receipt of documents from the Vatican regarding the approval. These included a June 23 letter from Cardinal Llovera Antonio Cañizares, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, and a list of guidelines for publication of the missal.
The Vatican also sent approval for several adaptations to the missal, including additional prayers for the penitential act at Mass and the renewal of baptismal promises on Easter Sunday, a communiqué from the bishops’ conference reported.
The approval included various texts of prayers for celebrations specific to the United States, such as: Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day, and the feast days for saints such as St. Damien of Molokai, St. Katharine Drexel, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
As well, the Vatican officials approved the text for the Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life, which can be celebrated on January 22.
Full-scale catechesis
Cardinal George stated, «We can now move forward and continue with our important catechetical efforts as we prepare the text for publication.»
The bishops’ conference communiqué noted that the date of implementation was chosen so as to allow ample time for the preparation of the texts and the education of Catholics regarding the changes.
The conference is urging pastors to begin now to prepare parishioners for the coming changes, using resources created for this purpose.
Monsignor Anthony Sherman, director of the conference’s Secretariat for Divine Worship, said, «A great effort to produce the new Roman Missal for the United States, along with the other necessary resources, has begun.»
He added, «Even as that work is underway a full-scale catechesis about the Liturgy and the new Roman Missal should be taking place in parishes, so that when the time comes, everyone will be ready.»
Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey, chair of the conference’s Committee on Divine Worship, affirmed, «I am happy that after years of preparation, we now have a text that, when introduced late next year, will enable the ongoing renewal of the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy in our parishes.»
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On the Net:
Resources from bishops’ conference: www.usccb.org/romanmissal
