Monday 11 July 2011

More News from Australia about New Translation

In one of my previous posts I listed a typical order of Mass from St Mary's Cathedral, suggesting that its musical/liturgical programme exemplifies an ideal celebration of the modern Roman Rite.  It also provided an opportunity to show how (smoothly and effectively) the new translation is being implemented in Australia.

Well, not to be outdone is Parramatta's Cathedral of St Patrick.  The Parramatta Diocese borders the Sydney Archdiocese and was once part of it - the latter being divided up into three dioceses in the 1980s.  Encompassing much of Greater Sydney, its Catholic population is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse in Australia - English is a second language for a large number of the faithful there.  They seem to be picking up the new translation with relative ease, assisted by the same pew cards which were issued to every other parish in the country.  The responses are being said/sung with confidence and even gusto, with few mistakes noticeable. 

The building that became the cathedral - a lovely stone church - was burnt down in the 1990s.  Happily, the exterior was saved and now constitutes the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (and full immersion font), with a new, bigger addition being built in a modern style.  The altar is at the centre of the cathedral and the pews arranged in choir formation.





The previous prelate, the Most Rev Kevin Manning, acquiesced in the formation of a cathedral schola, greatly enhancing the musical repertoire sung at the cathedral.  That tradition has continued under the new bishop, the Most Rev Anthony Fisher, previously auxiliary bishop of Sydney, and senior organiser of World Youth Day in that city in 2008. 

Here is the Order of Mass for the fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (no excerpts this time):

INTROIT - Ego autem ... (translation provided)
ENTRANCE HYMN - God has spoken by his prophets
GREETING - New translation (Peace be with you/And with your spirit)
PENITENTIAL RITE - Confiteor (new translation)
KYRIE - (Mass XI - Orbis Factor)
GLORIA - Palestrina, Missa Tu Es Petrus (translation provided)
COLLECT
God our Father,
your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ. 
May all who follow him
reject what is contrary to the gospel (1973). 

O God, who show the light of your truth
to those who go astray,
so that they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess
are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ
and to strive after all that does it honour (from 2012).  
READINGS (Responsorial Psalm - The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest)
ALLELUIA (Proper alleluia sung by all, English verse, proper alleluia repeated)
GOSPEL - New translation
HOMILY
CREED (New translation, said)
OFFERTORY MOTET - Faure, Cantique de Jean Racine
PREFACE DIALOGUE - New translation
SANCTUS - Proulx, A Community Mass
MYSTERY OF FAITH - Acclamation A, Missal tone
COMMUNION RITE - New translation
AGNUS DEI - Palestrina, Missa Tu Es Petrus (translation provided)
ECCE AGNUS DEI - New translation
COMMUNION ANTIPHON - Passer invenit sibi domum (translation provided)
COMMUNION HYMN - For the fruits of all creation
CONCLUDING RITES - New translation, Pontifical blessing (Blessed be the name of the Lord ... )
DISMISSAL - First option
POSTLUDE (improvisation?)

Shows what you can achieve with the right attitude.