In today’s online New York Times, columnist David Brooks wrote about Poetry in Everyday Life,” an interesting reflection on the use of metaphor to “capture what is going on.” I am in favor of metaphors. Of poetry, too. However, the new translation of the Roman Missal may be, shall I say, “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
In the same NYT edition, an unrelated article questions about the new translation are raised by priests around the globe. For New Mass, Closer to Latin, Critics Voice a Plain Objection.”raises questions about what some proponents claim is a more poetic translation, one literally faithful to the older Latin Mass. Metaphors are indispensable, frequently used when human beings grapple with the Divine, but they must connect with those who read or hear them, and they must make sense in today’s world.
As a sometimes teacher of writing, I have plenty of experience with young children peppering paragraphs (oh, there’s a metaphor for you…you know, “spicing it up”) with meaningless comparisons because their teachers required them to use metaphors. I am not saying that the New Missal uses language the same way, but as i read objections by those whose jobs include celebrating the Mass, catechizing parishioners, or even working on the translation committee, I question the wisdom of this translation.
Take for example, Fr. Anthony Ruff, a Benedictine monk from Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota and a professor of liturgy. According to the article, Fr. Ruff, who was head of the music committee of the international commission working on the translation, was removed from his position after he posted negative comments about the translation on his blog. He has written an open letter to the American bishops saying he cannot present scheduled parish programs introducing the new translation because he cannot support it.
I throw my support to the petition begun by Rev. Michael Ryan, pastor of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, asking the bishops to delay the introduction of the New Missal. Months ago I signed the petition aptly titled “What If We Just Said Wait.” A new translation does not have to be a negative thing, but it will be if not done in a way that enhances participation and understanding of those participating in worship at Mass.
As stated at the beginning of this post, I am all for metaphorical language used to express belief and experience of the Sacred in our midst. Poetic language can acknowledge the mystery and holiness of what we are about, but not if the language, sentence structure, and grammar leave parishioners wondering what they just said.
In the article, Fr. Ruff stated that he saw the need for a new translation, “more beautiful and more accurate,” but one that is done well. Sounds like Fr. Ryan had a good idea: What IF we just said wait, and those working on the translation kept working?
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