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Singapore: Catholics to study new Missal in English
by Jeremy Lim
It is an effort against time before the new version is officially launched on 27 November, first Sunday of Advent. In a message, the archbishop urges the faithful to study it. “The new translation is deliberately closer to the original Latin, so that it captures more fully the theological and spiritual meaning of the original text,” he said.
Singapore (AsiaNews) – Some Singapore Catholics are still unsure about some parts of the Order of the Mass, a month after the local Church adopted the new revised translation of the Roman Missal. However, many parishioners said it would be "just a matter of time" before they became familiar with the third English version, said to be a more accurate translation of the original Latin text.
Singapore introduced the new translation in early September, giving the congregation a few months to learn the new text before it is officially launched on 27 November, the First Sunday of Advent. Workshops were offered to help Catholics understand the changes.
In a national message, Archbishop Nicholas Chia encouraged everyone in the Archdiocese to study the new texts and prayerfully reflect on their meaning.
"The new translation is deliberately closer to the original Latin, so that it captures more fully the theological and spiritual meaning of the original text, thereby allowing it to slowly seep into our minds and hearts, affecting how we assimilate the true faith through our worship in the liturgy," he wrote.
However, for most parishioners who have learnt the old translation by heart, change comes slowly.
"We are used to the old version, it flows more easily," said Tricia Teo, 37. "The new version is not that smooth flowing. But if you understand the purpose, you tend to be able to accept it and give it a shot."
"I like the old songs, especially the Our Father," said Linah Chong, 34. "I'm not used to the new chanting and it has no tune."
On the other hand, university student Ian Chen, 23, is sure that the translation is a good one. "There's definitely a difference in the words," he said. "Certainly things are more explicit now, more direct."