Liturgy Newsletter — November 2008

News

Roman Missal — Translation

At the November meeting of the Bishops’ Conference three Grey books texts were voted on and approved: Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children, Masses for Various Needs and Intentions, and Ritual Masses. This means that six of the twelve Grey books — the final text prepared for voting by ICEL — have been approved by the Bishops’ Conference. The remaining sections will be presented for voting at the Easter meeting of the Bishops’ Conference: Proper of Saints, Common of Saints, Votive Masses & Masses for the Dead, Antiphons, Introductory Documents and Appendices.

The Name of God

At the end of June the Congregation for Divine Worship sent out to Bishops’ Conferences directives on the use of Hebrew Tetragrammaton — YHWH in the liturgy. In respect to the ancient tradition of the Church the Hebrew word should be rendered as ‘Lord’. These directives do not affect the current liturgical texts, including the Lectionary, used in England and Wales.

Bishop Arthur Roche presented the document to the bishops at their November meeting and afterwards issued a Statement. As directives also affect other texts used in the liturgy, such as songs and hymns, Bishop Roche has written to publishers to inform them of the document and to require that they either omit or provide alternative versions of texts.

Burial of Ashes

The Department for Christian Life and Worship has issued Guidance Notes on the Burial of Ashes. The notes acknowledge that cremation is not seen as the equivalent to burial and that the sense of laying to rest comes with the subsequent burial of the ashes. It encourages those involved in funerals and ministry to the bereaved to alert families and relatives to the rite of burial of ashes. A form of the liturgy can be found in the Order of Christian Funerals. The guidance also notes some of the implications of providing a site within Church property for the burial of ashes and suggests other places that might be considered.

Concelebration Guidelines

In 2006 the Department issued Guidelines for Concelebration which could be used as the basis for diocesan norms. A second edition of the document has been issued which incorporates a couple of minor amendments.

The Prayer of the Faithful

The Liturgy Committee of the Department has prepared some reflections on good practice concerning the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass.