Order of Mass Translation
On August 4, 2008, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted a recognitio, or confirmation, for that part of the Ordo Missae known as Order of Mass I as found in the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia. The English translation of the revised Roman Missal is nearing completion, and the Bishops of the United States will vote on final sections of the text this November.
An article from Catholic News Service, “Vatican approves new English translations for constant parts of Mass,” can be found at:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803857.htm
New Roman Missal Website
There is a new website from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) devoted to the revised Roman Missal. It is provided as an aid to preparing for the transition, with a special emphasis on proper catechesis that will result in a deeper understanding of the Sacred Liturgy.
http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/
GIA Supplement
GIA fully understands the impact of the new translations on liturgical ministry and is committed to providing whatever materials will be necessary to use the new translations once they are promulgated. As stated previously on this site, we intend to provide a hymnal supplement—available in print or electronically—containing both new and revised settings of the Mass texts as soon as we are able to do so. This supplement will be free of charge to those parishes that purchased GIA hymnals within seven years prior to the implementation of the revised Roman Missal.
If you are currently considering the purchase of a new GIA hardbound hymnal, keep in mind that the songs and hymns, which constitute the bulk of every GIA hymnal, will remain perfectly viable. The changes in the Order of Mass I affect only certain parts of Mass settings, and—to reiterate—GIA is committed to providing a supplement containing the revised Order of Mass in both text form and musical settings.
For an update on GIA hymnal projects, click here.
Altered Settings of Mass Texts
It is important to stress that the Bishops have stated that the new Order of Mass I may not be used for the celebration of the Mass at this time. Therefore, GIA is not in a position to approve any requests to alter existing Mass settings. Because of the stipulations of the USCCB, and because altered and new settings will be published only with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, it is important that parish communities do not take it upon themselves to alter existing settings. Furthermore, composers of existing settings have the exclusive right to alter their own works, and GIA believes it is in the best interest of the Church that a single revised version of earlier settings be circulated. Therefore, neither individuals nor parishes will be granted permission to make their own alterations at any time.
Information on further developments can always be obtained at usccb.org/romanmissal/ and npm.org, as well as from GIA and the other liturgical publishers. Feel free to address any questions pertinent to GIA and its products to our customer service department at custserv@giamusic.com or 1-800-GIA-1358.