Not lost in translation

Visited a parish were they are taking a very positive catechetical approach to the new translation. Before the Mass started they sang the new Gloria and announced it as such. As part of the priest’s homily he covered some of the changes in the new translation.

I really liked the approach that he took in that he started by making some humorous points and then going more in depth into why the new translation was needed. The initial points were “words matter” and that precision in meaning is important. He also made some great points regarding how so much of the new translation is more biblical along with conforming more closely to the Latin. He also explained why following the Latin more closely is important as he addressed the universality of the Church and how the Mass is not the property of any country or culture. His specific catechesis on specific instances of the new translation were also spot-on such as explaining why using “incarnate” instead of “born” was more than just a word choice and the theological significance of it.

I really appreciated this positive approach and the effort they are putting into preparing people for the change. Change, even positive change, often results in ruffling of feathers, I suspect their will be less ruffling in this parish. It takes more than just bulletin inserts and pew cards to prepare people.