Liturgy Newsletter — November 2007

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English translation of Roman Missal

At the beginning of November ICEL, the agency of English-speaking Bishops’ Conferences for translating liturgical texts from the Latin, marked an important stage in its work of translating the Missale Romanum. The final Green book — the draft text for commenting on — the Appendices, has been released to Bishops’ Conferences. Comments from bishops will be returned to ICEL by Easter next year on this volume and 3 other Green books: Proper of Saints II, Votive Masses and Masses for the Dead, and Introductory Documents.

ICEL has already begun to issue Grey books — final texts to be voted by Bishops’ Conferences. The Bishops’ Conference has previously approved the Order of Mass. At the November meeting of the Bishops’ Conference the Grey book of the Proper of Seasons was presented for voting and approved. The next Grey book to be presented will be the Order of Mass II which includes the Prefaces, the Solemn Blessings and the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation etc..

Bishop Roche organised a meeting of National Liturgy Secretaries in Washington in October to present the work of ‘Leeds Group’, a small international group which has been preparing formation material to accompany the eventual publication of the Missal. Bishop Alan Hopes, who represented England and Wales at the meeting, writes about it on page 3.

Much of this issue of the Liturgy Newsletter is taken up with the translation of the Missal and the preparation for its publication. On page 4 there is the ICEL press release on the completion of the first stage and much of pages 2–3 is devoted to an interview with Bishop Roche about the task of translation.

Preparation for the Synod of Bishops

Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, has spoken about preparations for next year’s Synod on the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church.

He has said that ‘The challenge we have before us is to help people better approach the word of God each time. For many, the only point of contact with sacred Scripture is in the Sunday liturgy. This is positive, but more is needed. People have to be driven to “breathe” the richness of Scripture.’

What can we take from this week’s Gospel?

Fr Adrian Graffy, director of Brentwood diocese’s Commission for Evangelisation and Formation, is offering a weekly reflection on the Sunday readings on the diocesan website.

The CTS New Catholic Bible

The Catholic Truth Society has published a new edition of the Bible. It uses the Jerusalem Bible and the Grail Psalter reflecting their use in the Lectionary for Mass. There are introductions to each book of scripture by Henry Wansbrough OSB and liturgical introductions by James Leachman OSB. There are reference tables to scripture in both the Lectionary and the Liturgy of the Hours. The Bible is available in a number of sizes and covers.