A NEW TRANSLATION FOR THE ENGLISH MASS?!
WHY AT THIS TIME? WHY AT ALL?
The above says something for probably more than a few. Are the new translations for the indulgence of the language purists or simply for asserting Vatican authority? It is very easy to see everything in this light when there is so much happening in the world that is surely of far greater urgency than even polished new liturgical texts for the Mass.
Official translations of the Church’s Latin Liturgy have only been authorised since Vatican II. In the elation surrounding that innovation in 1964 translations appeared in the major languages of the world within months. Nevertheless, they were reputedly of high standard, were warmly welcomed everywhere, and have been part of our prayer life for the last two generations.
At that time the work of translating all the liturgical texts into English was organized by The International Commission for English in the Liturgy, (ICEL) in Washington DC although the translators were scholars from every part of the English speaking world. That work aimed to bring a clear and easily understood style, for the common man as it were, and was taken up enthusiastically everywhere where English is the major spoken language. There were those who wanted to stick with the Latin as might be expected.
Perhaps not all the implications of a translation into English were appreciated as that work went on. A translation into the English vernacular is of considerable consequence in a world where the United States of America exports its culture everywhere. English in our day has become the language of international communication like none other. One specific consequence of that, however, is that English has effectively replaced Latin as the mother–tongue of the Catholic Church!
Inevitably, new translations of the Missale Romanum are now being made, in many places, straight from its English version. That is a serious challenge for those wishing to protect Latin traditions going back to St Jerome himself, the revered author of the ‘Latin Vulgate’ translation of the scriptures in the 5th century. In that context what is of crucial concern to some liturgists is that the English translation of the Missal must not only be of the highest standard linguistically but also as close as possible to its original Latin.
To be able to see the broader picture of all that happens is of the greatest importance. In today’s fast changing world, with all its challenges and set-backs, the Church must keep abreast of the times trusting in the Lord who is ‘yesterday, today and forever’ and be ready to ‘bring out of her treasure house things both old and new’. This same Church, always a human society but guided by the Holy Spirit, will in every age achieve these things with varying degrees of success. Let us pray for her continually.
Fr. B. Boylan / Hampton
18.3.2011