About the Mass Series-New Translation:

INTRODUCTION PART 1

Welcome to my new series called ' About the Mass-New Translation'

At some time or other people people ask the question ‘Why should I go to Mass?’ The Eucharist is so fundamental to our faith journey. When we attend Mass, we are in the company of Heaven and we receive Jesus Himself, body, blood soul and divinity in Holy Communion. The Eucharist therefore is so fundamental for our soul because it is its food.  Just as we are nourished by food for our bodies when we eat, we also need to nourish our soul by receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, rather than starving it.  

However this is not a new question as saints and popes have grappled with it in their time.  Their reflections outlined in Pray with Me (1993) assist us as follows: 

• The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer'.( Pope Paul V1). 
• For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death.' (Revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the Great).  
• If we know the value of the Mass we would die for joy."'  (The Cure of Ars, St John Vianney)

• ‘The world could exist more easily without the sun than without the Mass’.  (Padre Pio). 

Have we ever felt overwhelmed with God’s goodness and wondered how we may thank God?   

St. Teresa of Avila when she felt overwhelmed with God’s goodness asked Our Lord

‘How can I thank you?’  Our Lord replied ‘Attend One Mass’. (p. 22).

I have previously written a series called ‘About the Mass’. Some of what I have written is quite relevant to this new series "' About the Mass- New Translation".  Where there are relevant parts, I will recommend it to you for your reading.  I will post once a week for over 12 months. You will find all future posts in this series in my 'Sacraments' category. I hope you will embark on this journey with me and follow the series.  'About the Mass-New Translation'  series will be divided into 8 sections namely:

1.  Introduction,
2. Overview of the New Translation: Same Mass, New Words, Deeper Meaning, Greater Love of the Mass  Parts 1-5.
3. Preparation for Mass.
4. Introductory Rite
5. Liturgy of the Word
6. Liturgy of the Eucharist
7. Communion Rite
8. Concluding Rite.

Its purpose is twofold, that is,

(a) To provide a greater understanding and love of the Mass, and

(b) To provide an understanding into the changes in the New English Translation.

As I write this series, with a global pastoral environment in mind, my prayer is wherever we are on our faith journey, we will know, appreciate and always value God’s gift of the Mass to us.