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Views from the Choir Loft

The New Translation of the Roman Missal

Jeff Ostrowski · February 23, 2013

ORE THAN a billion people currently belong to the Catholic Church. A considerable number of those people speak (or read) English. When the new English translation was introduced, I had expected a tremendous outcry. Why? Because translations, by their very nature, are usually something about which nobody is happy. There’s an old expression: The translator is a traitor.

However, the new translation of the Roman Missal has been around for more than a year, and I have yet to read a single serious article or paper calling for a return to the old translation. I have yet to encounter a single serious Catholic priest or bishop who does not admit that the Roman Missal, Third Edition is a vast improvement. Nor have I seen any serious article making the case that the old translation was more accurate than the current one.

Before going further, let us remind ourselves what the “old ICEL” translation was like. One good way to do this would be to read the following 1990 article by Msgr. Schuler:

          *  Article by Msgr. Richard J. Schuler about the “old” ICEL translation [pdf].

As alluded to above, translations are similar to hymns: everybody always has something to say about them. Everyone always has an opinion. Everybody always wants to toss in his “two cents.” The fact that not one serious person has, for instance, drawn up a chart attempting to show that the old ICEL translation was more accurate than the new astounds me.

What do I, personally, think of the new translation? I think it is a vast improvement and makes a tremendous difference because it is so much more accurate than the previous ICEL translation. For instance, look at the old ICEL version of the “Exsultet” and compare it to the original Latin. It was a travesty and an embarrassment.

I do feel that the new translation is not as beautiful as it might have been. For instance, it pales in comparison to many of the translations used before the Council. ICEL would have been able to produce a much more beautiful translation if they had taken the time to carefully consult the old daily missals (“hand missals”) like the St. Joseph Daily Missal, Fr. Lasance’s Missal, and so forth. Furthermore, some of the “politically correct” phrases sound like nails scratching on a chalk board to my ears. “And peace on earth to people of good will” comes to mind.

Having read numerous articles like the one written by Msgr. Schuler, I can only guess that the almost total lack of serious criticism of the new translation can only be attributed to the unbelievable depravity of the previous ICEL translation (created, I believe, around 1969). As many people have commented over the years, the previous translation (in many instances) was unworthy of any self-respecting first year Latin student. I should add: one of the reasons that the new translation was so much more accurate is that, a few years ago, the Holy Father completely reformed ICEL.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    26 January 2023 • FEEDBACK
    “Jeff, I wanted to personally thank you for your spiritual witness at the Symposium & often blogs that you write too. Praying that prayer in the mornings My God, my Father and my all (by Cardinal Merry Del Val), mentioning saints’ stories of Brébeuf, Jogues, John Vianney, monks who fought in WWII, their hard work in spite of terrible conditions, their relentless zeal for the faith, their genuine love for the laypeople they served, etc. Overall though—more than anything concrete I can point to that you did or said—it was your demeanor at the Symposium. I could tell you really absolutely love and believe the Catholic Faith. You don’t get that everywhere, even in Church circles. And your humility is what then makes that shine even brighter. It is super inspiring! God is working through you probably way more than you know.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Symposium Draft Schedule Released!
    Those who head over to the Symposium Website will notice the tentative schedule for 2023 has been released. This is all very exciting! Very soon, we will begin accepting applications, so please make sure you have subscribed to our mailing list. If you are subscribed, that means you'll hear announcements before anyone else. (It’s incredibly easy to subscribe to our mailing list; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.)
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl
    The editor of the Sacred Music Magazine recently made available to the public this splendid article by our own Charles Weaver. It includes an edition of polyphony for the GOOD FRIDAY “Reproaches.” Renaissance composers often set the various offices of Holy Week; e.g. readers will probably be familiar with the beautiful TENEBRAE setting by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). From what I can tell, Ludwig Senfl (d. 1543) was originally a Catholic priest, but eventually was seduced by Luther and ended up abandoning the sacred priesthood.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Thus the priest-celebrant, putting on the person of Christ, alone offers sacrifice, and not the people, nor clerics, nor even priests who reverently assist. All, however, can and should take an active part in the Sacrifice. “The Christian people, though participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, do not thereby possess a priestly power,” We stated in the Encyclical Mediator Dei (AAS, vol 39, 1947, p. 553).

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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