New translation is not a winding back of reforms

Published: 25 July 2010

AS I read M Guy (CL 4/7/10) and the "dismantling of the reforms of Vatican II" I found myself compelled to reply.

I'm a post-Vatican II baby and a convert.

A few years after my conversion a friend took me to a Mass in Latin, I was lost.

The rubrics were different, the priest wasn't facing us, everything was said in Latin (except the Gospel and the homily), etc but even given all this there was something about this Mass that I liked.

I remember walking down the street afterwards singing "Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine" (probably pretty badly and wondering what these words meant) over and over again and I knew I had to go back.

Thus started my love of the Latin Mass and Gregorian chant.

Since then I've been to a Maronite and Melkite Rite Mass, as well as the New Mass in Latin and English but by far my favourite is the Old Latin Mass.

Some people may say that I like the bells and smells and it's true that when you get the thurifer, priest, deacon, acolyte, an all-male schola singing as well as the beautiful old vestments it is really beautiful but I love the Old Mass even if it is a low Mass without all the extra trimmings.

The new translation is not a step back or even a "dismantling of the reforms of Vatican II" for most of the prayers from the Old Mass are not in the New Mass, the rubrics are not the same and Gregorian chant, though it's use has been encouraged by many popes, has all but disappeared ... I wonder if anyone could explain why?

No, M Guy, the new translation is just that, a more accurate translation of the New Mass from the Latin (instead of the anaemic translation currently in use).

And as for the thought that it is "an attempt to bridge the gap" ... Most of the people who like the Old Mass like the way it doesn't change, having the option to kneel to receive Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist, having hymns and chants that you learn by heart, etc.

Yes, I'm glad I went to the Old Mass with no preconceived notions as it left me open to receive a beautiful gift, that is, that of experiencing it as it is.

MRS N VALMADRE
Glenella, Qld