Weekly messages from our Pastor

This Sunday we will talk for a few minutes about the new translation of the Roman Missal during the homilies. This weekend the priests will be teaching you about the “penitential act”. The following is a wonderful article written in the Catholic Herald for the Diocese of Sacramento by Rita Thiron about the new “penitential act.”

This Sunday we will talk for a few minutes about the new translation of the Roman Missal during the homilies. This weekend the priests will be teaching you about the “penitential act”. The following is a wonderful article written in the Catholic Herald for the Diocese of Sacramento by Rita Thiron about the new “penitential act.”

An ancient document called the Didache (c.60) noted that the people came together on the Lord’s Day and gave thanks “after first confessing their sins.”   For many centuries, the Mass had no penitential rite.  The Confiteor was part of the private prayers said by the priest and the ministers at the foot of the altar.  After    Vatican II, a brief penitential rite was added that had its source in both Scripture (Matthew 5:23-25) and tradition. (cf. The Mystery of Faith by Lawrence Johnson, page 13)

Now the act of penitence has several options. Each begins with an invitation by the priest to recall our sins and a pause for silent reflection. We may all respond by praying the confiteor, a prayer that acknowledges the social dimension of sin.  The new translation of this prayer restores the “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” The effect is more intense as we strike our breast!

Alternately, we may respond to a series of invocations addressed to Christ. What was once a long litany was shortened in the sixth century and now consists of three verses (tropes) that conclude with the ancient Greek response –Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.  St. Paul used the word kyrios to acknowledge Christ and his divinity. We may also respond in English  –“ Lord, have mercy; Christ, have  mercy; Lord, have mercy.”

Another option uses Scripture. (Baruch 3:2 and Psalm 85:8) This is followed by the “Lord, have mercy” in Greek or English.

The final option may be used on Sundays, especially during the Easter season.  Water is blessed and sprinkled on the people as a reminder of their baptism and the reconciliation brought about by Christ.  The  Asperges rite comes from Psalm 51:9  “Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified.” During    Eastertide, this verse is replaced by the Vidi Aquam, a text about the water flowing from the temple. (Ezekiel 47:1, 8, 9)

Each of these rites concludes with the priest’s absolution – “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”   Though these words lack the efficacy of the sacrament of penance (GIRM 51), they are a fitting reminder that we all seek God’s mercy, especially as we come together to celebrate his sacred mysteries. 

I pray that you may be able to embrace these changes in the Mass and be drawn deeper into the mystery of God’s love for you, the love we celebrate every Sunday at Eucharist.  

God bless you,

Fr. John Francis Murray, C.Ss.R.

Question of the Week

How does your faith influence your citizenship?

Based on the reading for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time.