The new English translation of the Roman Missal goes into effect Nov. 27. (CR/Bill McAllen)
It’s no secret that some priests – especially those who were energized by the Second Vatican Council – aren’t very pleased with the pending Nov. 27 implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal. They think the new language, which strives to be a more literal translation of the Latin prayer book, is archaic and inaccessible.
Early this week, I e-mailed all the parishes of the Archdiocese of Baltimore to find out if anyone was planning to do anything to mark the last weekend of Masses using the current translation. Archdiocesan leaders had encouraged parishes to find ways of celebrating the decades of service of the current translation. I wanted to see if any parishes were actually planning to ceremoniously retire, bury or burn their old Sacramentaries, as suggested.
The first response I received was from an Anne Arundel County pastor, informing me in just three words how he planned to mark the passage of the old translation.
“Occupy the Vatican,” he wrote.
How are you observing the end of an era?
The Narthex 
November 18th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Pray the Good Lord will allow this, but any and all Sacramentaries not needed please forward to me. I want them to be placed in my urn/casket for burial so the Lord will know where I have been. Peace and Joy.
November 21st, 2011 at 9:22 am
I am going to ask for a dispensation to continue to say the current mass. Hey we do it for the Latin Mass why not this one!