New phase for liturgy. (News in Brief: Vatican).

Vatican City--The third edition of the Roman Missal has been published in Latin, the editio typica, and serves as the basis of all Roman or Latin-rite translation into other languages. The Roman Missal is the book the Latinrite priest uses on the altar.

The second edition appeared in 1970 and, during the 30 years following, much has been learned about the ins and outs of proper liturgical translation. Thus the English translations will not only be concerned about the new feasts and the new prayers, but also about the many texts which have remained unchanged in Latin but which will now need a richer and more faithful translation than what was offered in the 1970 translations. The preparations for this may be found in the various instructions, the latest of which is Liturgiam authenticam (see C.I., July/August 2001, pp. 10-11; Nov. 2001, pp. 33-34).

The process of translation, approval, and publication is expected to take from three to five years. It remains to be seen whether the English language countries will agree on one basic text with only minor national or regional variations, or whether they will again compete with one another and thereby increase the possibility of inferior translations as well as forcing poorer or smaller countries to join one or other distribution network.

The updated Rite as a whole "aims to recover a sense of mystery and contemplation" said the English weekly The Universe, "reducing the chatter and eccentricities which have crept into some parishes." It noted that the Bishops of England and Wales had "warmly welcomed" the new Missal. The Conference's spokesman, Bishop Mark Jabale, said that "perhaps the most important single contribution the new Missal makes is in its revision of the General Introduction (G.I.R.M.). There is much here for our parishes to reflect on, much for us all to learn from."

The G.I.R.M. was introduced earlier but is, as yet, without an "official" translation. (See the article "Liturgy: New emphasis on the sacred, C.I., Oct. 2000, pp. 16-18). Last fall the American bishops returned the first translation to be redone.