Restoring beauty to liturgy

Published: 13 June 2010

LITURGY Lines (CL 6/6/10) expresses concerns about the revised English translation of the Roman Missal.

One is that we poor, simple folk in the pews will find it quite difficult to learn the new wording of our responses.

But 40 years ago, didn't we "good and faithful people" have to unlearn a translation which stood virtually unchanged for 400 years?

Perhaps the major concern voiced is that our texts for the Gloria, Creed, Pater Noster etc, as well as the responses, will differ from those used by our Protestant friends.

Have we forgotten that it was the Catholic liturgy that was changed by the Protestants; not vice versa?

Surely there is no reason why we can't be friends without slavishly following their particular liturgical forms.

After all, we are talking about the Sacrifice of the Mass; which they do not offer.

I sincerely believe we should be very grateful to all of those involved in restoring authenticity, dignity and beauty to the liturgy of the Mass in English, so as to give greater glory, thanks and homage to Almighty God.

RICHARD CONGRAM
Carindale, Qld