The New Translation Part 8: The Rest of the Creed

This is the latest installment in a series of short articles I wrote/adapted/edited for my parish bulletin. I will publish the others as they they appear.

The new Mass translation is coming in Advent! 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.

Here is the new translation of the second part of the Creed:

For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The simple change from “born” to “incarnate” is one of the most important improvements in the new translation of the Creed, because it more accurately conveys the truth of the Incarnation – the moment when the Son of God took flesh.

The old wording could be interpreted to mean that Christ did not actually become man until the moment He was born. Of course, the reality is that the Son of God took on human nature from the moment of His conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation is the moment when the Son first “came down from heaven” to dwell among us. In using the term, “incarnate,” the new translation removes all ambiguity.

The significance of this line is emphasized by the fact that we bow while saying it, as an expression of reverence to the mystery of the Incarnation.

There are a handful of other changes in the new translation of the Creed. Describing the Resurrection as being “in accordance with the Scriptures” speaks inclusively of the New Testament, in addition to “fulfillment” of Old Testament prophecy.

“I confess one baptism” carries more conviction than “acknowledge”.

“I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,” reflects a sincere desire, rather than just “looking for” the resurrection. The original Latin exspecto conveys a sense of anxious waiting and expectation.

Next time: the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

(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)