Sermons on the Mass

To accompany the introduction of the new English translation of the Missal the Oxford Oratory is having a series of twelve sermons on the liturgy of the Mass on Sundays. The sermons will be made available to read on the Oxford Oratory website.

The first three are by Fr Joseph Welch on And with your Spirit, Br Nicholas Edmonds-Smith on the Confiteor and Fr Dominic Jacob on the Gloria.

These have a wider relevance than just the mechanics of the new translation but provide an informative and helpful exploration of the theology underlying the words of the liturgy.

Missal translation

This week's Catholic Herald leads with a story about last ditch resistance to the introduction of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

Even if we read the story as the Herald trying to be eye-catching one can see that those opposed to this more accurate translation appear to be the usual suspects. From what I have seen and the comments of those whose opinions I value it will be infinitely superior to what we have now. Beyond that it should help to carry forward the "Reform of the Reform" by making people in the parishes aware of the possibilities of liturgical renewal within the Novus Ordo.

William Oddie has a typically forceful piece on his blog about the issue, and, if you have time, the comments it has generated repay inspection. Some are less optimistic about the future than Dr Oddie, or for that matter, I would be, but do make some significant points.

Others really do sound like the incoherent wounded cries of the "Spirit of Vatican II" brigade, ever looking for "Futurechurch" as the new and living way. Would that these were their last screams of protest, but that might be hoping for too much. Nonetheless they are worth looking at so as to know the enemy and its mindset.

Translating the Missal

Fr Tim at Hermeneutic of Continuity recently had this post about the delays to the new English translation of the Missal, and the reported reasons.

This is a very important topic, and the material he presents worth looking at.