Archdiocese to use new translation early

An archdiocese in the north will start using the new English version of the Lord’s Prayer in tomorrow’s observance of Ash Wednesday.

“So as not to overwhelm our Catholic faithful with too many changes in the liturgy of the Church by the first Sunday of Advent this year, we shall proceed with our catechesis on the changes in the formula of the Lord’s Prayer,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said in a recent circular.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) voted for the adoption of the New English Translation of the Roman Missal during their plenary assembly in January 2011. In this year’s plenary, the bishops agreed to implement the new translation on the first Sunday of Advent 2012 (December 2, 2012).

The prelate urged priests to guide the faithful so that they may have a proper understanding of the changes.

“Once we have settled down with this new version, we shall proceed with the other parts of the Missal,” said Villegas.

Usually marked by praying, fasting and almsgiving, Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten Season for Catholics.