New Translation mostly old, pre-Vatican II form

Friday, September 9th, 2011

The time is quickly approaching for the official introduction of the new translation of the Mass. The timing is left to individual bishops’ conferences but by Advent it will be in use worldwide.

After much heated controversy it started in the UK this Sunday. I was at first surprised at the controversy and surprised by the use of the word “new” since to someone of my generation it seemed mostly a return to the old, pre-Vatican II form, which, though archaic, had a certain poetry.

For instance, I welcome the return of the reply to the priest’s greeting “The Lord be with you .”

The reply “And with your spirit” has much more resonance than the post Vatican II “And also with you.” – which sounds more like something you would say to a friend in the street.

But there are plenty of other places where a return to the older phrasing is literally a step backward. In the Creed, for instance, is “consubstantial with the Father” any better than “one in being”? It’s just less understandable.

And “incarnate of the Virgin Mary”. Why not “born of”? It means exactly the same and means more to most people.

Similarly, in the Sanctus, the phrase “Lord God of hosts” became “God of power and might” – a loose translation of the Hebrew “sabaoth” maybe, but it conveyed the meaning beautifully. Now “hosts” is back. And who understands the meaning of “hosts” in the sense of armies? And does it not invite confusion with the Communion Host?

And in the Preface, I much preferred “It is right and fitting to “It is right and just.” The Latin “justum” can mean fair, just or fitting.

Journalists like me are taught to avoid wasted words and to keep the meaning absolutely clear. But look at the response after the Agnus Dei (and, by the way, why “behold” twice in that prayer?).

“Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” is a phrase taken from the Gospel story of the centurion with the sick child. Post-Vatican II it became “Lord I am not worthy to receive you.”

A sensible change, since I remember the nuns at my primary school tying themselves in knots trying to explain that it meant the roof of your mouth, not the roof of your house, as in the centurion story.

But, would you believe, it’s back.

Finally, at the very end, “Go, the Mass is ended”, becomes “Go forth, the Mass is ended”. Why? Where else would you go?

And the poor priest has it even worse. He has to negotiate such jawbreakers as: ”Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you …” Why “for”? Why “received”? Why “we offer you”? Isn’t it all obvious from the context?

Even worse: “… we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life …” What exactly is a coheir?

There are constant unnecessary “therefores” and “indeeds” and so on. And of course there is the phrase that caused the real controversy – in the Consecration itself: “The blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many.” For many? Who are the lucky many? Why not “for all”?

Of course, this is a faithful translation of the Latin “pro multis”. But that Latin dates from a time when the Church was somewhat less inclusive than it is today.

In fact a cynic might conclude that the whole “new” Mass is less inclusive than the old.

Republished with permission ucanews.com
Image: ucanews.com

Mike MacLachlan is a London based journalist. He has worked for publishing groups in his native UK as well as Africa and Asia. Since recent retirement from the London Daily Telegraph he has been Editorial Consultant for UCA News.