Much is being said today in the local press about the new GIRM.     No one really understands what is happening.    Some day soon His Holiness is to issue the Third and Final Version of the Roman Missal of Vatican II.    This has been said since February, 1998.   

Currently we Americans and other English speaking countries are still using the English translation of the First Version of the Roman Missal issued in 1974.    While all nations that speak other languages are using the Second Version of the Roman Missal issued in 1976.   The Preparation of that English Translation has had many ups and downs, and it is again rumored it may appear next spring and go into effect the First Sunday of Advent 2001.    Meanwhile His Holiness is preparing to issue the Third and Final Version of the Roman Missal in Latin.   The New GIRM has to do with this Third and Final Version of the Roman Missal.

The New GIRM which came out seems topsy-turvy, because it is supposed to be used with the Third and Final Version of the Roman Missal which no one has, as the Pope John Paul II has not yet issued it.    Thus, the GIRM people are talking about has been issued for a Missal that technically does not exist till it is issued.     

It must also be remembered that each Episcopal Conference has to issue a companion to the GIRM with special instructions for their particular nation.   

What is even stranger, is that the Official Latin GIRM has many grammatical and other errors by admission of the Congregation of Divine Worship.     No one really understands what is happening.     This is the first time ever that the Holy See has issued a Latin document with a number of grammatical, spelling and content errors.

When 1400 Bishops met in Rome with His Holiness on Jubilee Day for Bishops the first full week of October, they begged the Holy Father to quickly bring the Vatican II changes to an end, as the Catholic people of the world are tired of all the haggling over Liturgy, and liturgical translations.    The people and Bishops would give anything to see things settled and healed.     

Since this new document seems to have caused even more confusion, let us pray that soon there may come some resolution of all these changes.    Let us pray His Holiness may soon issue the Third and Final Version of the Roman Missal so as to soon bring an end to changes.    Thus, we will finally have some clear picture and understanding of what is expected, and that those in the pew can then feel comfortable with a Liturgy that doesn't seem to be changing all the time.     

There will be many options in the new missal.    But when it comes, hopefully that will be the end of changes for at least our life times.     Some of the options include eight different prayers for each Sunday Mass to be used as the Opening Prayer after the Gloria.     The use of the Gloria only at certain times.     The moving of the Sign of Peace to an earlier portion of the Mass.   

When I was ordained thirty-seven and a half years ago, Mass was in Latin.    Everything was explicitly explained.    I must admit that I was against any change in Mass.    But, by my Baptism and my Ordination, I promised obedience to the Holy Father and to my Bishop.    So I try my best to do as I am told!      I guess being a Canonist (a legal expert in Church Law), I try following the law to its exacting limit.     However, at age 63, it is not always as easy to remember things as it was ten or even five years ago.    That is why I forgot to lead us in the Gloria at the 10:30 am Mass last Sunday.    So, like so many of you, I too pray for a Final Version and an end to changes.    However, as I said, by my Baptism and Ordination, I promise that whatever is asked, I will do, even if it means saying Mass in Latin again.    That will not happen, but I will do what His Holiness as Christ's Vicar on earth asks of me.     As I know, you all will do too! 

But until our Holy Father issues the Final Missal, let us let the press talk about the GIRM without becoming upset or making anymore changes.
      Your Brother in Christ,
      Fr. Bill