More on the New Translations of the Third Roman Missal

Here’s my article on the new translations of the Roman Missal for October 2nd.

Appreciating the New Translations

After the opening prayer, we begin the Liturgy of the Word.  Nothing is changing in the readings or the homily (except with your spirit).  The next change will be in the Creed.  The most visible is that we will be saying “I” instead of “we”.  In part, this is simply because the original text says “I” but also the general pattern at Mass is we use “I” when we confess our sins or our faith.  Otherwise we use “we.”  Another change in the Creed is the reintroduction of the word “consubstantial” in place of ‘one in being’ with the Father.  Some might like to ask “what does ‘consubstantial’ mean?”  It’s not a word we use in every day language.  That is intentional.  It expresses something very profound, the fact that the Father and Son (with the Holy Spirit) are three different people but intimately tied together as one God.  In the early centuries of the church this was very difficult to express.  At the Council of Nicea, the writers of the Creed knew they were trying to express something very profound and developed a new word to express it.  So we use consubstantial to express that the Father and the Son are of the same “substance” in total union with each other (and the Holy Spirit).

Leave a Comment