The new one-sentence beginning is ‘more faithful to the Latin original.’

In previous columns I introduced many of the general principles that have guided the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal and illustrated these principles with examples from the new translation. Having laid this foundation, I would like to go through specific parts of the Mass, alternating between parts for the people and parts for the priest.

Last month I introduced one of the parts for the entire assembly, the Confiteor. This month I would like to discuss one of the parts for the priest, the introduction to Eucharistic Prayer III, probably the most frequently used eucharistic prayer in our parishes on Sundays. To make it easier to see the changes, I have placed them side by side, and noted the changes in bold italics. Because there are quite a few changes, I will discuss them in two articles.

You will notice that the current translation is three sentences, whereas the new translation is one long sentence. It is divided into smaller sense units, however, that make it effective as liturgical prayer. And it better expresses the overall thought of the passage: God rightly receives the praise of all creation because the Father, through the Son and the Holy Spirit, gives life and holiness to all things and is always at work, gathering a people to himself who offer him a pure oblation. This dynamic is re-enacted every time the Mass is celebrated.

There are two changes in the opening line. First, “Father” has been changed to “Lord” (the Latin original is Domine, “Lord”). This follows the principle in Authentic Liturgy that specifies that the Latin original “must be translated . . . in the most exact manner . . . without paraphrases or glosses” (No. 20). One of the reasons why the Church places such emphasis on fidelity to the Latin original is that the Latin liturgical texts “are themselves the fruit of the liturgical renewal, just recently brought forth” (No. 20) by the Second Vatican Council.

Second, the word order is different: “Father, you are holy indeed” has been changed to “You are indeed Holy, O Lord.” This reflects the principle of preserving the “variety of syntax and style” of the Latin original (No. 57d). Authentic Liturgy, in stating this principle, specifically mentions “the location within the Collect of the vocative addressed to God” (No. 57d). In other words, the liturgical prayers in the Latin original do not always begin by naming God—“Father” or “Lord.” Translations into the vernacular should follow as closely as possible the Latin word order.

One of the goals of this edition of the Missal is the development of “a sacral vernacular,” “a kind of language which is easily understandable, yet which at the same time preserves these texts’ dignity, beauty, and doctrinal precision” (No. 25). This opening phrase is an example of a sacral vernacular—it is precise but also dignified and beautiful.

A third change is the reference to creation. “All creation” has been changed to “all you have created.” As with the previous changes, it is more faithful to the Latin original. But it also emphasizes an important theological point, the proper relationship between God and creation. God is the one who has brought all things into existence and so rightly deserves the praise of all creation.

The changes in this brief passage illustrate a number of the principles guiding the translation of the new Roman Missal. They illustrate the increased accuracy and variety of the new Missal. They also offer examples of the sacral vernacular, prayers characterized by dignity, beauty, and doctrinal precision. Next month I will look at the remaining changes in this passage.

Present text
Father, you are holy indeed, and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name.

New text
You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise, for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

Father Stice is the director of the diocesan Worship and Liturgy Office. He can be reached at frrandy@dioknox.org.

Tags: Authentic Liturgy, The new missal