Once again the rhythm of our Church has delivered us to Advent and the Church itself has embarked on a project that is aimed directly at the heart of the Liturgy, the language. As a Catholic writer what’s your level of understanding about the how and the why of the changes? Not relevant you say, I write fiction or I focus on family, or I don’t write about liturgy, or, or. If the changes in the liturgy are of no consequence to you I suggest that you re-think calling yourself a “Catholic” writer.
The liturgy revisions are not only cogent to the way you worship but carry with them lessons of language and meaning that no writer should miss, especially a Catholic writer. It has been forty years since the last translation happened as a result of Vatican II. In the milieu of that breath of new air scholars decided that the newly translated prayers and responses would be best as “dynamic equivalents”. That is; almost but not quite translations of the language of original scripture, the “easier to understand” version. This thinking made the phrases lose punch and gave little or no credit to the people who would be using the language as worship. For instance which gives you pause to think about who you are as a spiritual being:” The Lord be with you” (℟) And also with you.” or “The Lord be with you (℟) And with your Spirit”? The second choice is a translation that the disciples themselves surely used during the initial celebrations of “The Supper”, at potential cost of their own lives.
The point of the “new translation” is to bring, more accurately, the words that were used from the start, words that the disciples and Fathers of the Church spoke themselves. If you know that this is what you are speaking how can you deny or ignore the connection that you have to the saints and martyrs themselves who spoke the same words you are speaking yourself during Mass? This is an undeniable matter of heart and spirit.
So what about the meaning of your own writing? Do you give your readers credit for intelligence and curiosity or do you “dumb it down”. Do you avoid words that are “religious” or show a clear implication of faith, belief or Catholicism? What about your own worship? Do you know the heart, soul and meaning of the words you speak or do you just give lip service and go through the motions during Liturgies? If you haven’t given much thought to the language of the Liturgy lately take this opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the words of your faith and the impact that they have. You might find yourself praying, thinking and writing in a whole new way. Lex orandi, Lex credendi!
The liturgy revisions are not only cogent to the way you worship but carry with them lessons of language and meaning that no writer should miss, especially a Catholic writer. It has been forty years since the last translation happened as a result of Vatican II. In the milieu of that breath of new air scholars decided that the newly translated prayers and responses would be best as “dynamic equivalents”. That is; almost but not quite translations of the language of original scripture, the “easier to understand” version. This thinking made the phrases lose punch and gave little or no credit to the people who would be using the language as worship. For instance which gives you pause to think about who you are as a spiritual being:” The Lord be with you” (℟) And also with you.” or “The Lord be with you (℟) And with your Spirit”? The second choice is a translation that the disciples themselves surely used during the initial celebrations of “The Supper”, at potential cost of their own lives.
The point of the “new translation” is to bring, more accurately, the words that were used from the start, words that the disciples and Fathers of the Church spoke themselves. If you know that this is what you are speaking how can you deny or ignore the connection that you have to the saints and martyrs themselves who spoke the same words you are speaking yourself during Mass? This is an undeniable matter of heart and spirit.
So what about the meaning of your own writing? Do you give your readers credit for intelligence and curiosity or do you “dumb it down”. Do you avoid words that are “religious” or show a clear implication of faith, belief or Catholicism? What about your own worship? Do you know the heart, soul and meaning of the words you speak or do you just give lip service and go through the motions during Liturgies? If you haven’t given much thought to the language of the Liturgy lately take this opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the words of your faith and the impact that they have. You might find yourself praying, thinking and writing in a whole new way. Lex orandi, Lex credendi!
Copyright© 2011, Kathryn M. Cunningham, all rights reserved.
Kathryn is a retired teacher who completed as Master’s from the Catholic Theological Union as a “retirement project”. In addition to graduate degrees she is a trained spiritual director. With a heart for informing the “people in the pews” she writes for online sites as well as local church publications. Check out more of her take on the journey @ www.atravelersview.org
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org
Thanks Sally, sometimes I think we are too busy to contemplate the obvious around us!
What a wonderful post! I was browsing the new language this weekend and appreciating the purposeful meaning the words convey. As Mass participants, we will certainly have to repattern our brains for the new responses, but in doing so, perhaps we will also renew our spirits. Thank you for sharing the writer's perspective.
–Sally