The Liturgy must always celebrate and make present the Paschal Sacrifice of Christ. But, it does become necessary at times to make certain changes, such as adding prayers for recently canonized saints and adding texts that reflect the needs that the People of God wish to bring to God in prayer. The third edition of the Roman Missal makes such additions and a fresh translation of the Latin texts of the existing Missal.
The structure of the Mass did not change in the new edition of the Roman Missal. However, the translation of the prayer texts changed to more closely reflect the original Latin texts. In some cases, new options for prayers were made available, and some old options are no longer present.
In the third edition of the Roman Missal, almost every prayer in the Mass – those spoken by the priest and those spoken by the people – has been retranslated from the Latin to English. Some prayers we recited by memory had to be relearned and the familiar language of prayers spoken by the priest did change. In preparing the new translation, the translators were asked to make the English texts conform more closely to the original Latin. The language that the faithful now hear and pray is more formal and somewhat more complex than the language of ordinary conversation. It conveys rich theological concepts and retains biblical language and images.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Lord, things change again.
When will I be able to rest in the comfort of knowing what comes next?
You, who transcend all time, who created the stars and set them in place, you who are ageless yet
known in every age, grant me the grace to accept the changes that are happening.
Empty my heart of anxiety, and fill it instead with wonder and awe.
Release me from the chains of complacency, and bind me to your ever-moving Spirit.
When the things I believed to be permanent and stable are left by the way side,
enfold me in your undying love that I may remember in whom all things are bound.
When fear of something new paralyzes me, and grief cripples me with anger over the loss of what had been,
send your angels to give me a gentle push over that frightening edge into the unknown, so that I may learn to trust in you.
For you alone are eternal. You alone are enduring. You alone are the everlasting Lord.
And in you alone will this restless world find peace. Amen
Copyright 2010, Diana Macalintal
Reprinted with permission
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