Manila Archdiocese starts seminars for new translation of Roman Missal

Manila Archdiocese officials have started holding seminars for for priests to help them become familiar with the new English translation of the Roman Missal, the book that contains the prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Holy Mass.   The first seminar was held last January 12 at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.   "The seminar was the first in a series aimed at catechizing the faithful on the changes made before the full implementation of the Missal on First Sunday of Advent this year," the CBCP said. The seminar speakers included:

• Fr. Genaro Diwa, who discussed the Process of Translation and Catechesis on the New English Translation;
• Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., on The Art of Presiding; and
• Fr. Godwin Tatlonghari on the Sample Catechetical Modules.

  Other clergy groups to be given seminars include the Makati (district) clergy on January 19; guest priests on January 26; and religious priests on February 4.   Seminars are also scheduled for worship coordinators, education ministry coordinators and parish masters of ceremonies on January 21 at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium; and January 28 (Makati district) at the Lay Formation Chapel in Guadalupe, Makati City. Earlier, the CBCP set a year-long catechesis for the new translation before it is implemented on the first Sunday of Advent this year which falls on December 2, 2012.   Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, in a communiqué to the Manila clergy, said the preparation is a chance to “re-catechize our people on the liturgical life of the Church, our culmen et fons, for priests and the lay faithful alike.”   The new Missal According to the Revised Roman Missal website, there was a need to revise the Missal to address the weaknesses and problems of the previous editions. The website said it took some time to produce the new Roman Missal because of the extraordinary number of people that had to be consulted (local Bishops, Roman Officials, Episcopal Offices of Divine Worship, national and local offices of divine worship, and numerous experts in diverse fields from biblical scholars to professional musicians, among others). The news site Huffington Post, in November last year, offered a glimpse of the changes to the Roman Missal. Here are some of the changes:

Greeting at the beginning of the Holy Mass The priest addresses the congregation at the beginning of the Mass by saying, "The Lord be with you."

Old translation response: "And also with you."

New translation response: "And with your spirit." Gloria (prayer of praise; often sung)

Old translation beginning: "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."

New translation beginning: "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, O God, almighty father." - VVP, GMA News