For many of us, the parts of the Mass are so familiar that we can recite the prayers and responses by heart. But come the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011, you may need to pick up a missalette. The reason is the coming changes with the implementation of the New Roman Missal.
The Third Edition of the Roman Missal is being introduced in all Catholic churches in the United States. The missal is the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass. It has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, Pope John Paul II announced the revised version during the Jubilee Year 2000. Since that time it has been written and revised with the final version now ready to be implemented this Advent.
What kinds of changes can you expect? Among other things the revised missal contains prayers for the observance of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. It will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some changes to well-known responses and acclamations of the people.
We'll talk more about some these specific changes in the weeks to come. If you'd like to read more, here are a couple helpful articles to get you started.
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