When Pope Benedict XVI received a hardbound copy of the approved English translation of the Roman Missal from members of the Vox Clara Committee on April 28, 2010, he said, “Soon the fruits of your labors will be made available to English-speaking congregations everywhere. Through these sacred texts and the actions that accompany them, Christ will be made present and active in the midst of His people.”

Besides striking a clearly optimistic tone, the Holy Father cautioned, “Many will find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar texts after nearly 40 years of continuous use of the previous translations.”

The target date for the newly translated Missal’s official use is the first Sunday of Advent 2011, and Pope Benedict exhorted clergy and laity alike to use these intervening months as a time of preparation.

“The opportunity for catechesis that this time presents will need to be firmly grasped. I pray that in this way any risk of confusion or bewilderment will be averted, and the change will serve instead as a springboard for a renewal and a deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English-speaking world,” he concluded.

Over the next several months, you will find in this space Catholic News Agency’s contribution to this effort: a series of nine columns excerpted from my book, “And with Your Spirit – Recovering a sense of the sacred in the English translation of the Roman Missal – 3rd Edition,” as well as commentaries from others at the USCCB and in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Besides reviewing each of the forthcoming new prayers and responses in the people’s parts of Holy Mass and exploring their deeper meaning, we will also address such important questions as:

• What is the nature of the sacred liturgy as Holy Mother Church understands it?
• How is the revised English translation of the Missal related to the teachings of Vatican II?
• What is “fully conscious and active participation” as the Council intended it?
• How does the revised text foster a more authentic form of active participation?
• How will the revised translation help restore a sense of the sacred at Holy Mass?

My hope is that this series will serve as an opportunity for readers to engage in the sort of liturgical catechesis that the Holy Father has encouraged as we prepare for the great gift that we are about to receive in the revised English translation of the Roman Missal.

In hopeful anticipation, join me now in consecrating our efforts in this series to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mother of the Liturgy – that with the aid of her guidance, protection and prayerful intercession, we may emerge from these pages with a greater love and appreciation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, for the greater glory of her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Bride, the Church. Amen.

Ad Iesum per Mariam!

Louie Verrecchio is a Catholic speaker, author and Catholic News Agency columnist. For more information go to www.harvestingthefruit.com.