New Words, Deeper Meaning,

Same MassA Pastoral Letter

on theNew Roman Missal

by theMost Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF

• Missale Romanum– First promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970

– This text, the editio typica latina (Typical Edition), was translated into English and published in 1973.

– The Holy See then issued a revised text, the editio tipyca altera, in 1975.

– Pope John Paul II promulgated a editio typica tertia during the Jubilee Year 2000.

– In August 20, 2010, the Vatican’s Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments gave their approval for the English translation.

• The “Lord’s Day”– It sacredness

– A day of rest

– We are a community of memory

• A Time To Learn– A period of:

• Instruction

• Catechesis

• Preparation.

• A “Faithful Bride”– What is the Church saying to us… journey

to the Father…

– To be faithful

– Bishop shares responsibility with the Pope

– To be obedient and docile to keep the “communion” of the Church.

to

• The Presiding Ministers– Our role as presiders at the liturgy in

“persona cristi”.– The servant of others…pointing to Christ

• Catholics, come home– We are Eucharistic people– Seek our brothers and sisters who were

baptized in our faith.– Invite them to come home to the Lord’s

table.

• The Meaning of Mass– Invitation to grasp the fullness of the

mystery of the Resurrection.– Understand in Him the fulfillment of the

first creation and the dawn of “the new creation”.

to

• Preparation, Reflection, Study, and Conversion– Affective Pastoral Leadership

• Re-evangelization remains most pressing task for the Church today.

• We need to intensify efforts to reach out.

• We as leaders are to bear the responsibility.

– Inviting Catholics “back home”• Develop and train “visiting” teams.• The moment that deals with our

eternal salvation.

– Attending Workshops• Attendance will keep us together as

one family, through preparation, reflection, study and prayer.

to

– Affective lay organizations• Organizations and groups passionate

for renewal, study and conversion.

• Don’ts– Do not do gradual

implementation– Do not worry about the Mass in

Spanish– Do not tire of catechizing– Do not miss opportunities that

our diocese offers for implementation.

– Do not try to be perfect, Nov 27, 11 is actually the first day for implementation.

New wordsUnchanging Mystery of our Redemption, the

Eucharist.

Deeper MeaningReflection, Catechesis, and Conversion.

Same MassSame Christ, Perfect Offering of Love.