Liturgist sheds light on the revisiting and revision of English translations

by Sue Schulzetenberg
Visitor Staff Writer

ST. CLOUD — Finally committed those offertory prayers to heart?
Well, if proposed changes in the liturgical text are approved, your memory — and “by-heart” memorization skills — will be tested again.

A new English-text translation of the main parts of the Order of Mass awaits a recognitio — a formal recognition of the work as properly accomplished — from the Congregation for Divine Worship. The translation for those parts was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2006, according to Catholic News Service (CNS).

	ST. CLOUD — Father Jan Michael Joncas explains the process of “tweaking” the English translation of liturgical texts April 12 at Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud. Some proposed changes in Mass texts were approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June but still must pass through additional channels before going into effect. (SCV photo by Sue Schulzetenberg)

While the other parts of Mass are still being translated, the Vox Clara Committee, a group of bishops who advise the Vatican on English translations, expressed hope that the translation of the Roman Missal would be completed quickly, according to CNS.

To shed light and insight on the text-changing process and what the changes might mean, Father Jan Michael Joncas, associate professor of Catholic studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, spoke on April 12 at the St. Cloud Newman Center Chapel. His presentation was second in the series of Father Wilfred A. Illies “Heart Speaks to Heart” annual memorial lectures.

“There’s some difficult stuff we’re going to be facing,” Father Joncas said, alluding to some shifting of sands on the liturgical landscape.

Approved changes will mean the priests need to learn new texts, he said, and parishioners will need to learn new responses, being especially attentive to differences caused by word tweaking.

Parishes take diocesan devotion to heart, hand it down from generation to generation

by Sue Schulzetenberg
Visitor Staff Writer and Photographer

STAPLES — Stressed-out angels hold lists of offenses committed by their “problem people.” But Jesus calms the angels and instructs them to encourage the people simply to say the words, “Jesus I trust in you.”

Connie Becker, Carol Jacklitch, Moose Volkmuth, Karen Pogreba, Linda Beebe and Dale Becker act out a scene to tell about Christ’s love.

The scene comes from a skit performed at the “Reckless Mercy” night April 15 at Sacred Heart Parish in Staples. In the skit, Jesus’ answer to the problems in the world — even problems of school cheating, for example — is his message of love, which the people will give to others after they receive it.

While the circumstance in the skit is imaginary, the message of his Divine Mercy is real. The message of Divine Mercy is known especially through St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, and the phrase “Jesus I trust in you” often accompanies the image of the Divine Mercy.

The mercy message was celebrated throughout the St. Cloud Diocese April 15 as several parishes honored the feast day of Divine Mercy. This year the diocese celebrated its 25th year of being dedicated to the devotion.

A Divine Mercy wood carving by Deacon Lawrence Kaas adorns St. Paul Church in Sauk Centre. Divine Mercy Sunday is April 15 this year. (SCV photo by Sue Schulzetenberg)

Among those celebrating the feast of Divine Mercy were the twinned parishes of Sacred Heart Parish in Staples and St. Michael Parish in Motley. Along with the parishes’ regular Divine Mercy celebration, a “Reckless Mercy” night was designed to teach youths about the devotion.

Why “Reckless”? Organizers of the event say it is an “edgy” word whose definition is in keeping with the countercultural, counterintuitive and seemingly illogical nature of Jesus’ Divine mercy. The fact that it is offered to all, even those who are apparently undeserving, is beyond human understanding.