Pro Multis

The new English translation of the Roman Missal is a hotly debated subject in the American Catholic world. One of the biggest complaints is that very important phrases are being literally translated, and for that fact and that fact alone there is a loss of true meaning. What opponents of the new translation mean by this is that literal translation from the Latin Missal is improper because the meaning of phrases is lost along with the poetry and beauty of the intended meaning.

One particular phrase, which has always caused controversy is 'Pro Multis.' This is said during the Consecration and currently in English is translated as "For All." For a while modernists tried to convince us that pro multis really meant for all, but when historical record showed that the correct way to translate this was for all, the strategy switched and the argument became that it was incorrect Theology.

Well, I have found a Homily commentary from St. John Chrysostom that explains why for many is the correct theological concept [from Hebrews 9:28]:

So Christ was once offered. By whom offered? Evidently by Himself. Here he says that He is not Priest only, but Victim also, and what is sacrificed. On this account are [the words] was offered. Was once offered (he says) to bear the sins of many. Why of many, and not of all? Because not all believed. For He died indeed for all, that is His part: for that death was a counterbalance against the destruction of all men. But He did not bear the sins of all men, because they were not willing.

I think that is pretty clear.

I can't wait for Advent.

†††

O Antiphons - a quick recap...

I haven't talked about the "O Antiphons" on here. Because I am in a place where latin, chant, and the Tridentine Rite are not used sometimes these things slip past my radar.

For info on 'O Antiphons' & 'more O Antiphons' info.

I would be remiss if I let the season pass without some mention. While reading Catholic Eye Candy today, I realized how much I miss the Tridentine Rite and more traditional aspects of the faith especially around HOLY days like Christmas. [Please don't get me wrong... I love the New Mass (Novus Ordo) and think that when it is said validly and licitly it carries with it the Mystery and the Glory of God just as the Tridentine, Dominican, and all the other more ancient rites.] They are essentially chants from the Liturgy of the Hours. They relate to different names of Christ and give us a glimpse as to He which is about to come.

The final O Antiphon is "Emmanuel." Check out the link Catholic Eye Candy for a taste of the Chant. It really is beautiful - please go check it out and have a listen.

Here are all the O Antiphons (from: Women for Faith & Family):

The "O Antiphons"

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Sirach 24:2; Wisdom 8:1. Symbols: oil lamp, open book.

O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come, and redeem us with outstretched arm.
Exodus 3:2, 20:1. Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets.

O ROOT OF JESSE, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
Isaiah 11:1-3. Symbol: vine or plant with flower (especially a rose).

O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Isaiah 22:22. Symbols: key; broken chains.

O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of the light eternal, and Sun of Justice: Come, and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Psalm 19:6-7. Symbol: rising sun.

O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.
Psalm 2:7-8, Ephesians 2:14-20. Symbols, Crown, scepter.

O EMMANUEL, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
Isaiah 7:14; 33:22. Symbols: tablets of stone, Chalice and Host.

Catholic Canonical Geekiness - "Omnium in mentem"

This post is going to excite approximately no one!
The Vatican made public.... [WAIT FOR IT] ...."Omnium in mentem" - A Motu Proprio from Pope Benedict XVI - This means 2 changes in the Code of Canon Law!!!

[[crickets]] Told you, no one.
I am NOT a Canon Lawyer. [But if you are rich and don't know how to spend your wealth, I would LOVE to go to school for a Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.)]. Therefore I will not bore you with my ake on it... mainly because I cannot translate the latin well enough, so I won't regurgitate what others have done. Check the links below for some scholarly takes on the changes.

Anyways....you can find out more info here:
"In Light of the Law" - Edward Peters, JD, JCD
"WDTPRS?" - Father Z
The Vatican - (In Latin & Italian so far)

Why Latin?!

The following is from one of my favorite blogs: Acts of the Apostasy: Press '1' For English

We attended Mass at our "home" parish today due to scheduling conflicts, and I was quickly reminded why I don't like going there. 
It was announced that, in honor of yesterday's Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, that the first reading would be read in English and Spanish. And, as an added bonus, the Prayers of the Faithful would be read in English and Spanish.
And the secret surprise was...the final blessing, in Spanish.
Never mind that we're a white-bread suburban parish.
It got me thinking, though - since the Mass included elements not spoken in the vernacular, then why not just use Latin?

This is actually my favorite argument FOR LATIN as the language of the Mass. [This is not an argument about form. i.e. Tridentine versus Novus Ordo - it is about the language used AT mass, regardless of the form.]

Actually this is a good time to explain my comment above. When Vatican II occurred, they changed both the FORM and the LANGUAGE. The get more info on how this occurred visit the Vatican Website - That being said, it is important to recognize that my argument here is about language and not necessarily form. [Although I am in favor of the Extraordinary Form.]

My argument is that many parishes across our country have a multi-cultural membership. In fact many churches have multiple masses, each of which are said in a different language. This perplexes me because our faith is supposed to be universal. In fact, Catholic means universal. So how then do those parishes create a universality within their parish, when they divide the people through language and sometimes culture? [Again this isn't about form, or associated practices of form.] Such parishes essentially divide their church and segregate parishioners from one another for the sake of what?

So you can divide parishes which creates more problems than I believe multiple masses in different languages helps; or you can choose one language and essentially have only a portion of your parish hear the Mass in their vernacular.

Or you could just use latin. Sure the people wouldn't HEAR the mass in their vernacular but everyone could get a MISSAL in their vernacular. Sure, there are limitations to this as well... as there is no perfect system, but in the end I would much rather create a universal setting than one that divides the church. It also encourages people to participate in the Mass in a much more academic way through reading and study via a missal. The Mass is about CHRIST and not us... we should do what we can to create churches that are universal and unified... not ones that a segregated and divided.

[Note: I realized after I posted this that I didn't explain fully my argument. I left out the fact that I do appreciate and enjoy the mass in english. Especially the new form. Even more, I love that after S.P. we can now celebrate both forms of the Mass. [Well not here in Alaska... any priests want to come say a Tridentine Mass?] My argument is more aimed at those parishes that do what the parish did in the opening quote. I think the vernacular can play a very important and educational role in our theological catechisis.]

New Advent: Super Fantastical e-Bible Extraordinare!

Ok... this is AWESOME! I went to New Advent which is a pretty amazing website as it is... only to find out that it decided to up the score and become SUPER AWESOME!

Here is a screenshot of their new Tri-fecta-of-awesomeness bible:

For those of you whose brains just EXPLODED!! - let me explain what you just saw. New advent took their online bible, and put the Greek and Latin Vulgate on either side of the english. BAM!!! Then... they made the english the Douay-Rheims!!! BAM! BAM! BAM!!!!

This is going to be an AWESOME resource. [Yes, I know you could already get all of this online previously... but it is done sO WELL... and on a website that a TON of people access.] I applaud New Advent, and applaud all of you who will now become familiar with all 3 of these glorious versions. You can now donate your "modernist" bibles to the needy. Hopefully this will expand your knowledge and deepen your faith :)

TLM / EF Mass: Informational & Instructional Website - "Sancta Missa"

Unfortunately I live in a diocese where the Tridentine Latin Mass or Extra Ordinary Form (TLM/EF) is only offered occasionally. On top of that it is offered 3 hours away - which in the winter is a very precarious drive.

Several people I know have asked me though for information about the Mass itself. I have found a resource which is a great jumping off point. It has videos, pictures, and even the rubrics. Click on the pic below for the site:

I don't have a lot of resources up here in Alaska in terms of Catholic classes, groups, or literature so websites are becoming my best friend. I have two goals this winter on top of bringing a baby into this world which are to take up the study of latin again, and to familiarize myself [as opposed to saying "learn"] to serve the mass in the NO and the EF via online tutorials. Some of you may be laughing at the prospect considering my wife and I have a baby due in the middle of January. But... you don't know how long Alaskan winters are!

Bp. Trautman's "jihad" against the New Translation of the Missal

Fr. Z has once again "hit the nail on the head" about Bp. Trautman and his inconceivable stance against the New Roman Missal translation which is coming up for approval soon. See his post here:
Bp. Donald “Ineffable” Trautman’s jihad against the new translation [Fr. Z POLL]

For a refresher on this issue go to my first post here:
"Bp. Trautman on New Missal Translation: 'Slavishly Literal'"

A quick summary of the issue is:
There is a newly proposed translation of the english version of the Roman Missal. The Missal is essentially the "play book" for the Mass. It contains all the rubrics, rules, and sayings that guide the Mass. Precision and true translation are important. When the current translation came out, it had a lot of words and phrases that were theological and literal "Stretches" in an effort to create a "bigger tent" mentality within the Church. The proposed translation is much truer to the latin and to the purposeful meaning of the words within the Mass. It also aligns much closer to other Rites and translations that exist, especially the Orthodox. If the Catholic Church is really a universal church, its most important texts much show that universality through congruent translation. Now to this current issue....

The problem at this point is that Bishop Trautman has seemingly taken on this fight not for true philosophical reasons but for some more deep rooted and tangental reason. Why do I say that? Because of this section of the article:

Trautman said he thinks the only procedural way the bishops can halt the process and gain a new review of texts they have already approved (including Vatican reversals of many of their amendments to earlier texts) is to vote down at least one of the final segments up for review and form a committee to go to Rome and consult with the Vatican on what he considers the questionable texts approved by the Holy See.

Now granted this  article is written in the very liberal leaning National Catholic Reporter (NCR - not to be confused with the National Catholic Register which is a faithfully orthodox Catholic paper), but I am sure it still captures the essence of what Trautman is really trying to do - OPPOSE, OPPOSE, OPPOSE, and by any means necessary.

It is important that some translation occurs, and that it isn't opposed SOLELY for the purpose of opposing it. We need unversality in the Church and the texts are the foundation of the quest.

Traditional (Tridentine) Latin Mass News - Anchorage, Alaska

For those that don't know, I currently reside in Alaska. It is QUITE a change from the Detroit, Michigan area. I live about 3 hours south of Anchorage, and there are 2 churches within "Sunday Mass" driving distance. Both are run by parish administrators (lay women who operationally run the church). The priests are mission priests, Oblates to be more specific.

In Alaska, there is essentially 1 TLM mass site that I know of, which is in Fairbanks. That is a 12 hour drive :)

The Archbishop has "greenlighted" a Saturday evening celebration of the Sunday High Mass. It will take place in the Anchorage church of the Holy Family Cathedral. A website dedicated to the the TLM in Alaska has the news: Summorum Ponitificum Alaska

This is great news! Now the trick will be to get some "monthly" celebrations in other areas of the diocese. I am not greedy, but Anchorage is a 3 hour drive, one way. With gas at $3.55 in Alaska, that's an expensive Mass.

'Pro Multis' - Part II

There is a longstanding/ongoing discussion about the latin words: 'Pro Multis.' They are found in the consecration of the mass. I posted earlier about this discussion here:
Pro Multis Discussion

For most, it isn't a big deal. We hear the words every Sunday (or more) and think not to much of it. The debate above speaks for itself, and we can really reconcile the confusion and move on.

For those of you that don't know what I am talking about, the phrase 'Pro Multis' translates to 'for many' or 'for all.' It really depends on context and who you ask. A good question and answer section can be found at EWTN and various other places. The summary is that the Aramaic words meant a kind of combination. Through context and meaning, especially since the phrase was to be applied to the entire Gospels. The problem is that for a long time the LATIN texts were 'Pro Multis.' So teaching occurred on those words, and our faith doctrine developed with those words. Then in the 1970's, the vernacular translation switched it to 'for all.' Again creating confusion, until their was some clarity a few years ago. Like I said, all is fine at that point with a little research, digging, and understanding. Plus there is a new translation coming out in a year or so (hopefully) which will change it to align with the Latin for a nice union between the Norvus Ordo (our regular Mass) and the TLM/EF (the Latin 1962 Mass) so things will flush. It will also bring the Latin and Orthodox churches closer in liturgical form as well. So, I was satisfied. Until, yesterday...

You see here is a snippet from yesterdays reading of the Gospel from Mark 10:35-45:

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

So now what? I mean, it has to be from the same 'pro multis' form in the latin of the bible? I don't mean to be a traditionalist to the point of annoyance, and I KNOW when the new translation of the Missal comes out people are going to be frustrated, and annoyed. But this is why it is necessary. It will make everything SYNC up. Right now, we have to spend hours and hours explaining the doctrine because of silly and sloppy translations.