The New Translation Part 11: Consecration and Mystery

This is one in a series of short articles I wrote/adapted/edited for my parish bulletin.

The new Mass translation is coming! Back in 2000, Blessed Pope John Paul II issued the third edition of the Roman Missal. After more than ten years of consultation and work, the new English translation is finally ready.

At every Mass, the priest repeats the words of consecration by which Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, and by which the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ.

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,
for this is my Body,
which will be given up for you.

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my Blood,
the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,
which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.

One significant change is the revision of the current phrase, “shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven,” to “poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The imagery of Blood being “poured out” is much more vivid than “shed” – it portrays His Blood as true drink (Jn 6:55) and reminds us that Jesus entirely emptied Himself (Phil 2:7) out of love for us.

Another change is the replacement of “for all” with “for many.” “For many” is a faithful translation of the original Latin pro multis. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied that the Messiah would take away “the sins of many,” and Christ Himself also said His Blood would be shed for “many” (Mt 26:28, Mk 14:24).

Christ died for the sake of all humanity, but this phrase reminds us that each individual must also accept the grace won by Christ in order to attain eternal life. The recovery of the wording, “for many,” is a sober reminder that salvation is not automatic.

After the consecration, the priest will simply announce “The mystery of faith” (Mysterium fidei). In response, we make one of these acclamations:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.

Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

All three are rooted in Scripture (1 Cor 11:26, Jn 4:42) and directly address Christ made present in the Blessed Sacrament, speaking of our relationship with Him.

Next time: Communion and Closing Thoughts.

(Based on Roman Missal Formational Materials provided by the Secretariat for the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2010, and by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend)