VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See has approved three alternatives to “Ite, missa est,” the final words said by the priest at Mass.Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, today notified the participants in the synod of bishops on the word of God about the new alternatives. The final message is currently rendered in English: “The Mass is ended, go in peace.”
Benedict XVI has approved the alternatives, which were requested at the 2005 synod on the Eucharist to express the missionary spirit that should follow from the celebration of Mass.
According to Cardinal Arinze, the Pope had asked for suggestions to be presented. The congregation received 72, from which they prepared nine proposals. The Holy Father has chosen three.
The alternatives are in the revised third “editio typica” of the Roman Missal, which was printed last week, the cardinal said.
The alternatives are:
–“Ite ad Evangelium Domini nuntiandum”
–“Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum”
–“Ite in pace” with “alleluia, alleluia” added during Easter season.
In English, these could be rendered along the lines of “go to announce the Gospel of the Lord”; “go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your lives”; and simply, “go in peace (alleluia, alleluia).” [artcle]
Other considerations are:
- Go in peace, please don’t race the priest to get outside first.
- Go in peace, coffee and donuts are available in the parish hall.
18 comments
Might I suggest…
Go in peace, and remember, you don’t have to clap for the music ministry team before you leave, but it’ll sure make them feel better.
Go in peace, if you plan on genuflecting please be careful not to trip up the fleeing hordes who have no idea what you’re up to.
I like your suggestions, Jeff! 🙂
I think we need a new response, too. There’s just something about having people respond to “The Mass is ended…” with “Thanks be to God!” that never sounded right…
Go in peace, please don’t run anybody over in your haste to pull out of the parking lot.
How about a brief one:
Go in peace, not in haste!
…
When I was a kid, a non-Catholic friend of the family who attended Mass with us suggested the following when he saw the Catholics streaming out so quickly,
“Catholics, start your engines!”
I hear that the following is being considered for weekday Masses:
S. Die dulci fruimini.
R. Salve et tu, domine.
or
Priest. Have a nice day!
People. You too, Father.
I was kinda hoping along with the approvals there would be an absolute reprobation of: “The Mass never ends, it must be lived.” yeeeeech!
The Mass has come to end, don’t fender-bend your brother in Christ.
The Mass has ended, the football game will still be there.
***
Anyway, I like the new (real) options. Very nice.
When I was a child I thought we were saying “Thanks be to God” because Mass was over and we could now go eat and play.
Just what we need…more options.
I was attached to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” Like everything else, i guess I’ll get over it and find reasons to love the new/old version.
It wasn’t until I accepted the oncoming “And with your spirit” that I read the reason for it and the important difference between that response and the current “And also with you” that I began to look forward eagerly to that change.
For many of us who are not in decision-making roles, changes in the liturgical text will be a matter of obeying first and understanding later. That’s ok. It’s good practice, even if it pinches. 🙂
I second Jimbo’s concerns. Is this organic development or innovation for the sake of innovation?
To clarify my last comment- despite my concerns I will accept the Church’s official decision.
A crusty old fellow at our church always sat in the front pew. Sometimes he talked to himself, but rather loudly since he was hard of hearing. At a Mass with a particularly long homily, when the priest announced, “Go in peace, the Mass is ended,” the old fellow said, “About damn time!”
The Peace is ended, go outside.
How about, “Go in peace, and thank you for not leaving right after receiving Communion”?
In my family…
“Go in peace; wait to slug your brother/sister in the car.”
I like yours, Jeff…
Reminds me when I went to Fatima, Portugal in 1984. At that time, the Blue Army had its own plane, “The Queen of the World”, that took pilgrims on trips to Fatima and other shrines in Europe. There were several priests in my group, and one of them said Mass en route. I’ll never forget what he said at the end:
“GO IN PEACE…BUT NOT TOO FAR”
Of course, we all laughed….but it was pretty cool being at Mass ‘with the angels’.