Revised Roman Missal – Advent 2011, Part III

The Revised Roman Missal – Advent 2011, Part III

With the revision there will be changes in the words and responses, both for the clergy and the assembly.  Some of the differences will be obvious. We will learn new musical settings for the various parts of the Mass. We will learn new words for common prayers, such as the Creed. Those of us who began saying the Mass prayers by heart long ago will need to rely on printed texts again, at least for a while. In the early months of the transition, we may find it more challenging to pray with one voice.

But we will adjust to the new texts and gradually commit them to heart. These surface differences will give way to deeper and more significant changes. If we use this opportunity to again reflect on the grace of the Mass, we will make the changes with a deeper understanding of the Liturgy and a renewed reverence for and appreciation of the Mass - the source and the summit of our lives. We will hear the prayers with new ears and with new hearts.  Our Liturgy will be filled with new life and a new sense of the Holy Spirit at work as we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ made ever new.

Next we will look closer at a couple of changes in the Mass text.