ROGERS — In an effort to prepare for the use of the revised Roman Missal at Mass in the coming months, Father Shaun Wesley, pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Eureka Springs, presented “Opening of the New Roman Missal’ for liturgical leaders of the West Ozark Deanery at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers Sept. 13.
Speaking to an audience of about 400 people, Father Wesley, the former director of the diocese’s Divine Worship Office, mapped out the coming changes that will occur at Mass through the use of this new translation.
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The changes will be introduced on the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 26-27.
In a two-hour session, Father Wesley explained the “what’s and why’s’ of the new revisions, including reasons for these necessary changes.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the revised translation grew out of “the best of what we have learned about translation and liturgical language in the two generations of celebrating liturgy in the vernacular following Vatican II.’
“The newly revised translation will follow more closely the style of the original Latin texts, using concrete images, repetition, parallelisms and rhythm. The English used in the Mass is more formal and dignified in style. Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images.’
In his interactive presentation, Father Wesley included the work of the International Commission on English Liturgy, “Becoming One Body One Spirit in Christ,’ a DVD which provides material for instruction on implementation of the revised translation. It explained in detail the reasons for these revisions — to experience the richness of the language of Scripture, to preserve sacred language, to gain new insights by interfacing teachings with contemporary circumstances and to ensure the continuity of faith by passing on the language of the faith.
Father Wesley acknowledged that “change is always hard. After Vatican II, American Catholics were pressed to translate the Mass into the vernacular. It happened in good will. But it could have been done better. Now with scholarship and prayer, we have the new edition of the Roman Missal.
“We rise to a new challenge,’ he said. “The law of prayer is the law of belief and our highest prayer is the Mass. How we pray the Mass expresses our belief to its fullest. And in the law of life, what we pray is what we live out. We are making our salvation happen in the words we proclaim together, the music, the vestments, the environment. In participating in the Mass, we offer to God the best we can because he gives us his best.’
Not only the words of the Mass will be changed through this new translation, but the music as well. Describing music as an international language, Father Wesley pointed out that “the text of the Mass can also be expressed musically… and through its beauty and quality, the music can bind us all together.’
Assisting in the presentation was Lourdes Montgomery, music director at St. Vincent de Paul. She directed the church choir in musical excerpts of Misa Santa Cecilia, a bilingual Mass.
“As worshippers begin to realize how much more poetic and beautiful the language is, surely they will learn to embrace these new translations. I do believe that those who are language aficionados will quickly come to have a deep appreciation for these changes,’ Montgomery said.
A part of the new translation will be the incorporation of the Gregorian chants into the new English translation. Sharon Parker, liturgical assistant to Father Wesley, said, “The evening offered an opportunity to present this workshop with a variety of methods — the music, the media and sound equipment. Perhaps the most effective was the chance to study the new revisions by chanting the new English translation of our most cherished Latin chant, along with a sampling of other new music Mass styles, including a bilingual Mass.
“By singing and chanting the new changes themselves, those in attendance gained an intimate knowledge of what is to come and an awareness of the scope of what these changes will mean,’ she said.
Audience member Dr. Sandra Pate agreed with the observation.
“The Gregorian chant is not just an artifact from the past,’ she said. “The chant is a great evangelical gift for today as it has been for centuries. The arrangements of the Gregorian chants in the new Roman Missal are beautiful. Combined with the changes in the liturgy that draw us closer to the meaning of the original Latin, the spiritual depth of the new translation will surely draw many into the Church and give us a greater understanding of what we are about.’
In response to the presentation, Kevin Carter, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish Council, said, “I attended the presentation because I was really interested in what the Church was working to accomplish. I wondered why it was necessary to make such changes in the Mass so relatively soon after Vatican II.
“As a result, I learned how the theological thought processes affected these changes. I learned about the mission of the English-speaking countries such as Great Britain, Ireland and the United States who are striving to bring the English Mass into a more appropriate and accurate interpretation that will align the prayers of the Mass with other international languages… that we will be more fully in communion with Catholics of the world.’
Carter said he appreciated Father Wesley’s presentation.
“Father Shaun made me very comfortable and actually brought about my enthusiasm for the real beauty of these new expressions of prayer which should and will enhance the celebration of the Mass for all of us,’ he said. “It was time for all parishes in the diocese to draw closer to one another in a sincere effort to understand the task at hand and stand ready to share their resources, information and talents.’
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