December 4, 2012
December 4, 2011 Column Father De Celles
Thoughts on the New Translation. Well, after all the hoopla and preparation, we finally used the New Translation of the Mass last Sunday. I don‟t know what you thought, but so far all the feedback I‟ve gotten from parishioners has been overwhelmingly positive. For my part, I can say it was a unique experience, one I will not soon forget. First of all, I was stunned and amazed how everyone seemed not only to carefully give the new responses and pray the newly worded prayers, but also how vigorously and enthusiastically they did so. I was especially impressed with the strong rendition given of the Creed, a long proclamation that could easily have been a disaster. But not last Sunday. It was beautiful to witness.
Then there were the times of silence, or when I was praying a prayer alone as the priest. I don‟t think I‟d never heard the church so quiet, as it seemed everyone was hanging on every word, very carefully trying to follow along, to understand and take in the meaning of the prayers.
Finally, from my own perspective, praying these prayers with you and for you for the first time took me back to my first Mass as a newly ordained priest. Although every Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of the Cross and the Heavenly Banquet, whether said in Latin, Spanish or English, there was something wonderful about praying it in this more beautiful form. Most especially I found the Eucharistic Prayer almost overwhelming, with its new deepened sense of transcendence, and reverence, and at the same time intimacy and immanence. Phrases like, “he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands,” “this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim,” “be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly countenance,” and so many others, drew me to a more profound awareness of the miraculous event before me. And, again, by the silence I heard from the congregation, I sensed you had a similar experience.
In all this I think I saw in you, and personally experienced, a renewed “full, conscious and active participation” in the Mass. Of course, some of this was simply due to necessity—we had to pay extra attention. But even if that was all it was, alleluia! So many times we rush through the Mass without really thinking about what we‟re doing or saying. There was no way we could do that last Sunday, or in the weeks ahead.
Some might say, “but we were more concerned with saying the right words than understanding and internalizing what they meant.” Maybe. But the words themselves are powerful, and it was hard not to be effected by them. Even if it was simply wondering, “what the heck does „consubstantial‟ mean again?” the words made you stop and think—and maybe relearn a profound dogma of the faith.
And as the weeks go on, I hope we will grow in understanding and internalize the meaning of the new prayers. So that this will be a new beginning of a more intense appreciation of the mystery of the Holy Mass—at long last, the renewal of the liturgy so long and diligently sought by both Bd. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. So that we may not only say the words and do the gestures, but allow those words and gestures to penetrate our spirits, and then reflect back the deepened devotion of our spirits in what we say and do at Mass.
What a great time to be a Catholic! What a wonderful Advent lays before us!
Comparison of This Week’s Prayers. In the coming weeks I will try to include a brief comparison of (and perhaps some comments on) the old and new translations of one of the “proper” prayers for that Sunday (the unique prayers that change every Sunday). Let‟s begin by looking at the today‟s “Opening Prayer,” or the “Collect,” as it is now called. I will forego comments this week, and leave it to you to consider how the “new” (closer translation of the Latin) is quite different from the “old.”
Old: God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may become one with him when he comes in glory.

New: Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company.
Advent Schedule. It‟s very easy to get all caught up in the commercialized and secular quasi- Christmas celebrations (prematurely) going on all around us right now, losing sight of Advent, a time of spiritual preparation for both the celebration of Christmas and the Second Coming of Christ. In that regard, I would like to call your attention to the Advent Schedule that was in last week‟s bulletin, and is now available on the parish website. We have added many extra evening Masses and confessions during the week, and I encourage you to take advantage of these as part of your Advent spiritual exercises.
Also, note the other special events on the calendar, including the popular “Breakfast with Santa” (with the Children‟s Choir performing) on Saturday, December 17th. I also invite you to join me on next Sunday, December 11, at 6:30pm as the choir and lectors present “Lessons and Carols,” a program of beautiful sacred music and Scripture readings focused on preparing us for Christmas. Last year all who came were enthralled—you will be too if you join us!
Baby Mary Madeleine. Our beautiful foundling, whose real name is “Sofi,” celebrated her 1st birthday on November 14. In honor of that occasion Sofi and her new adoptive parents joined us for a birthday party here on Sunday, November 20. All were delighted by her charming presence, as she ran around making scores of new friends among her brothers and sisters at St. Raymond‟s. She is a miracle to behold. Literally. Praised be Jesus Christ!
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles