NMI Catholic faithful prepare for language changes in Holy Mass

New words, same Mass.

This is what the Catholic faithful will see in churches throughout the world come Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent, as one of the world’s largest religions implements the changes in the English liturgy approved in 2010 by the Vatican, the central governing body of the Catholic Church.

These changes are reflected in the third edition of the Roman Missal, the liturgical book that contains the text-including prayers and instructions-for the celebration of Mass.

The last time changes were made to the Roman Missal was in 1975, as originally promulgated by Pope Pius V in 1570. The new alterations, spearheaded by a committee of specialists that worked under a Vatican directive, intend to make the English translation consistently reflect the original Latin text.

Changes are scattered in different parts of the Mass, from the Penitential Act and Nicene Creed to the Apostle’s Creed and the Mystery of Faith. In the past, when the priest greets his congregation “The Lord be with you,” the Catholic believers will now respond with “and with your spirit” instead of “and also with you.”

The CNMI, a predominantly Catholic island community, has been primed for the coming of these changes since April, said Fr. Ryan Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, who added that they have been working with the Archdiocese of Agana on this matter.

Jimenez, in an email response to Saipan Tribune, said that Fr. Ike Ayuyu and Fr. Celso Magbanua serve as coordinators for these efforts, conducting a series of workshops to prepare the clergy and parishioners for the changes.

“We are ready and, in fact, some parishes have already implemented changes in some aspects of the Mass as a way of catechizing the faithful and to get the ‘feel’ of what it would be like come Nov. 27,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez disclosed that the full text of the Mass in Chamorro is now set, thanks to bishop emeritus Tomas Camacho who made the necessary changes in the translation.

The Tagalog translation for the Filipino community, however, is not yet ready. Jimenez said this will come from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

“So for the 11am Tagalog Sunday Masses at the Cathedral, Sunday 6pm in Kristo Rai, and Saturday 6pm in San Francisco de Borja, we will be using the same Filipino Roman Missal until the new one is ready,” he added.

While adjustments need to be made by both parishioners and the clergy, Jimenez noted that these changes are “a sign of growth in Catholic Church.”

“Constant updating is always good,” said Jimenez. “The new translation is based on the original Latin translation of the Mass and theologians, liturgists linguists, and the bishops worked together in updating the New Roman Missal.”

The apostolic administrator encouraged the Catholic faithful to “embrace” these changes and to learn more about them and not just because they are mandated.

“Our attitude should be to have a ‘faith that seeks understanding,’” Jimenez concluded.