Wednesday, June 29, 2011

NEW TRANSLATION HEAD START

As many probably know long before I will have posted this (due to my lazy blogging as of late), your (arch)bishop has the authority to allow their flocks, or "we the sheep", to start using sung settings of the new translation of Mass as early as September 1, 2011 - almost three months before the rest of the new translation is to take place.

In a letter from the worship office of the Archdiocese of Boston, Sean Cardinal O'Malley has granted such permission for the new sung parts (Gloria, Sanctus, Memorial; the Kyrie, Amen, and Agnus are unchanged). Other parts still have to wait until November 27, 2011.

One thing I did learn in this letter (RSCT to Karl from the RPInet boards) (emphasis mine):
Please remember that the official Mass setting for the Archdiocese of Boston is the ICEL chant setting. This setting of the Mass will be included in all English editions of the Roman Missal, and every publisher is required to include this setting as the first option that will appear in their missalettes and participation aids. While your parish may choose to continue using this setting throughout the upcoming Liturgical year, parishes who wish to use other musical settings of the Mass may introduce them after the Advent-Christmas season, beginning in January of 2012.

So - the Archdiocese wants us to learn the official chants first. And to boot, there will be no more worrying about Massive Cremation or the Boston Celtics Mass becoming the default settings in an OCP missalette or a GIA hymnal (although they can be placed in the back with the other "additional settings"). The official chants come first, per order, the Bishops! I cannot rejoice enough for this change!

Peace,
BMP

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