By Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan

Common Market

Although it has been widely publicized, the project of a new liturgical English version continues to be an unknown quantity to many American Catholics. When the 1964 Missal was published, the Bishops’ Liturgical Commission made it quite clear that the text was made up of the best of existent texts. It was provisional, interim and to be replaced. It was not permanent, normative and fixed. A finer version would be a matter of time.

Most of the ritual prayers were selected from American Missals already in use. The Epistles and Gospels were from the new Confraternity text whose scholars worked hard to complete this request before the “publisher’s” deadlines.

The reaction was both wholesome and unfair. Criticism was needed and wanted -- it will help in the final version. There were some unfortunate choices of words (too many contractions, don’t and can’t) and some controversial phrases (fellow; the flesh is willing but human nature is weak, etc.). Scholars spoke up and so did the sensus fidelium, that healthy voice of the clergy and laity which has always been disturbed when the familiar version of God’s word is altered.

But fortunately, the great body of Catholics seems to have found the provisional version of 1964 vigorous and fresh. Those who have read the Constitution’s words about the Scripture (324, 34, 50 and 51) find much in the new interim form for the biblical readings that is “varied and suitable,” “a richer fare at the table of God’s Word,” and apt to increase a “warm and living love for scripture.” Meanwhile, starting in November 1963, the American bishops moved to provide a finer liturgical text in English. Working with representatives of nine other English-speaking hierarchies, they have launched the project of a common English-vernacular that should be truly worshipped, tuned to the modern ear, and ecumenical in its association. It is a vast program to be completed by experts in liturgy, scripture, literary style, music, and especially in pastoral usage. It is hoped that it can be finished when the new Mass rite is entirely revised.

Problems of all kinds, however, keep rising. It is not easy to assemble a task-force of advisors, scholars and specialists from ten nations. National usage and tradition have separated our common English heritage so that one group may prefer thou and thy when addressing God; another wants You and Your. Time, distance, and cost enter in as well as the regular duties of many who are engaged.

Meetings of the group (dubbed the “Liturgical Common Market”) have gone on regularly since the bishops have reached Rome. They are held in the Venerable English College on via Montserrat, a most hospitable place where the portraits of English cardinals like Newman, Manning and Wiseman peer down at us in the library.

The team of scholars (the advisory board) will be with us in November. The bishops will propose to them the preparation of a fresh translation of the ordinary chants of the Mass (like the Kyrie and Gloria) and the collect-prayers of the temporal cycle -- Lent, Advent, etc. When it is ready, it will be submitted to the bishops, as well as interested scholars and publications all over the world. Then the future will probably start.

It is a tremendous project that will succeed only if the prayers and interest of the Catholic world go with it. It is never an easy task to change the divine language of a people. It is ten times more arduous when the many national groups are involved. But the intent faces of the ten bishops around the library table of the English College are concerned and confident. That is no small beginning.