The Roman Missal is the official book containing prayers, chants and instructions for the celebration of the Mass. The new translation is the product of almost a decade of collaboration among bishops of English-speaking countries.
Father Joseph Ring, vicar for clergy, pastor of St. James Parish in Riverton, and priest-moderator for Resurrection Parish in Illiopolis, said pastors in the Springfield diocese are taking a variety of approaches to prepare for the new Missal.
A number of opportunities have been offered to priests to study and prepare for the new texts.
“For instance, in February, we hosted an overnight study day exclusively on the implementation of the new texts,” Father Ring said. “Also, at our last priests’ convocation (in September 2010), Eliot Kapitan from the Office for Worship and the Catechumenate came for a half day to provide some instruction.”
Father Ring admits that most priests probably will need a period of adjustment.
“For a while, we will have our noses in the book all the time,” he said.
Father Peter Harman, pastor of Cathedral Parish in Springfield, agrees.
“We certainly will be tied to the Missal more than we are now,” Father Harman said. “In this new Missal, there will be fewer opportunities to ‘ad lib’ and it will take a while before we become used to many of the prayers we’ve memorized over the years.”
Father Harman is optimistic about the reception of the new Missal by Catholics in general.
“It’s going to be a change, but not the kind of big change we saw after Vatican Council II,” he said. “All the actions will remain the same.”
As early as last Easter, Father Harman began using bulletin announcements and inserts to explain the coming changes, and has printed articles in the parish newsletter. In October, the parish will sponsor two week-night sessions for people interested learning reasons for the new translation, as well as hearing the new responses and listening to new musical settings of the Mass parts.
In addition, he plans to invite people to stay after Mass on a couple of different Sundays later in the fall to hear and practice the prayers and acclamations.