New Liturgy for Americans
31 July 2008 - 29 תמוז 5768 by Huw
HE BISHOP From over the mountains has approved a new, more literal English translation of the Mass for the Entirety of the Anglosphere. (See how great his power is?) The Catholic News Agency reports:
The new translation is more literal at times. For instance, the first line of the Sanctus, which follows the Consecration, reads “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts,” instead of “God of power and might.” The people’s response at the Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) is to be “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed,” which more closely follows the Scripture passage on which it is based.
The response “et cum spiritu tuo,” previously translated as “also with you,” is now translated as “and with your spirit,” while the Confiteor (Penitential Rite) now includes the text “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.”
This is Good News! The Roman denomination is finally getting away from that “Oh, God, you are so huge, we’re all really impressed down here” sort of translation. I know the Translators, in bringing the text into line with the current Pope’s wishes, tried to correct other faults with the English: like using presbyter instead of priest, but the superstitious put a stop to that.
I love this part: The new text is covered under copyright law and the Statutes of the International Commission on English and the Liturgy.
So… don’t go stealing his words, you know. I think he should file suit against the rest of us - who don’t have real churches anyway, he says - for using things like “And with your spirit” and “Glory to God in the Highest”.
I dare him to.
I triple dog dare him.
