(For the next few weeks I will be answering questions about the Mass and the new translation that will be coming upon us Nov 26/27, 2011.)
Who decides that the Liturgy should change?
Any adjustments/changes to the words of Holy Mass —the essential words in the celebration of each of the sacraments (either in Latin or in vernacular translations)—must be approved by the Pope personally. Ultimately the only one who can adjust the wording of the text of the Mass is the Pope himself. Pope John Paul II approved the promulgation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal in 2000 and it was published in 2002. The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was responsible for preparing the official Latin text. This Congregation is the Vatican office that the pope has charged with overseeing all matters related to the Liturgy and the sacraments. The preparations for vernacular translations (translations in local languages) from the official Latin text began in 2002. It has taken 9 years to ensure that the English was translated well.
Why did Pope John Paul II ask for the changes?
Pope John Paul II was fluent in 8 languages and could phonetically speak 25 additional languages. When he would celebrate Holy Mass in these various languages he noticed that they vernacular translations from the original Latin were different. What he said in German, was not what he said in French or English. The meaning was different. Being the supreme head of the Universal Church, he desired that all of us would be more united in our prayer. What we say and what we pray matters! Thus, he asked that National Bishop Conferences re-translate the vernacular texts from the original Latin to ensure the prayers being said are saying what the Church intends.
So, what exactly is changing?
The structure of the Mass (the order of Mass) remains unchanged. Mass will look exactly the same and feel, smell and be the same. However, the translation of the prayer texts will change to more closely reflect the original Latin texts. In some cases, new options for prayers may be available, and some old options may no longer be present. It is the texts of the Mass that are changing.
Will the changes be noticeable?
In the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, every prayer in the Mass—those spoken by the priest and those spoken by the people—has been re-translated from the Latin to English. Many of the prayers and responses have adjusted English phrasing due to the re-translations. Some prayers now recited by memory will need to be relearned, and the familiar language of many prayers recited by the priest will change. This will cause us to pray the Mass, beginning November 26/27 at a slower pace. It will cause us to think a bit more and not enable us to go on auto-pilot.
What do we gain?
In preparing the new translation, the translators were asked to make the English texts conform more closely to the Latin originals and to retain traditional theological vocabulary that communicates important concepts of the faith. The language that you will 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. It will be a deeper and richer prayer.