Preparing for the New Translation

The Penitential Rite

I n the order of the Mass, the Penitential Rite follows the

greeting. The Roman Missal provides for several op-
tions here from which the priest is free to choose.
Commentary
When we approach the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we enter
into Christ’s unique self-sacrifice on the Cross and his victo-
ry over sin and death, i.e. the Paschal Mystery. This is an
Penitential Rites entry into the holiest of actions, and as Proverbs 24:16 re-
Sprinkling Rite: The blessing of holy water and the sprin- minds us The just man falls seven times a day. All sin damages
kling of the faithful as a reminder of their Baptism is most our relationship with God, and, in the case of mortal sin, it
fittingly used during the Easter Season but may rightfully be severs that relationship of friendship. The penitential rite
used at other times. Given the length of the prayers in- offers forgiveness for all venial sin. The penitential rite is not
volved and its infrequent usage, however, we will skip over a substitute for the confession for mortal sin (the willful and
this option. knowledgeable violation of God’s law concerning a some-
thing of a serious nature), which we are required to confess
Each of the other Penitential Rites begins with an introduc- and receive penance and absolution.
tion by the Priest.
The single option in the New Translation, which follows the
Current Translation New Translation only introduction given in the official Latin text, is closest to
Then the priest, facing the peo- Then follows the Penitential Act, option “C” in the Current Translation. The Order of the
ple, extends his hands and to which the Priest invites the Mass then continues:
greets all present with one of faithful, saying:
Current Translation New Translation
the following greetings:
A pause for silent reflection follows. A brief pause for silence follows. Then
Brethren (brothers and After the silence, one of the follow- all recite together the formula of general
A. As we prepare to cele- ing three forms is chosen: confession:
sisters), let us
brate the mystery of
acknowledge our sins, that
Christ’s love, let us I confess to almighty God I confess to almighty God
we may prepare ourselves
acknowledge our fail- and to you, my brothers and to you, my brothers and
to celebrate the sacred mys-
ures and ask the Lord and sisters, that I have sisters, that I have greatly
teries.
for pardon and strength sinned in my thoughts and sinned in my thoughts and
B. Coming together as in my words, in what I have in my words, in what I have
God’s family, with con- done and in what I have done and in what I have
fidence let us ask the failed to do, failed to do,
Father’s forgiveness, for
he is full of gentleness They strike their breast: And, striking their breast, they say:
and compassion.
C. My brothers and sisters through my fault. through my fault, through
(friends, dearly beloved, And I ask the Blessed Vir- my fault, through my
brethren, et al), to pre- gin Mary, all the Angels and most grievous fault;
pare ourselves to cele- Saints, and you, my broth- therefore I ask blessed Mary
brate the sacred myster- ers and sisters to pray for ever-Virgin, all the Angels
ies let us call to mind me to the Lord our God. and Saints, and you, my
our sins. brothers and sisters, to pray

Preparing for the New Translation by Fr. Allen Moran, OP. Copyright © 2011 Dominican Fathers, Province of St. Joseph
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Commentary or said. Here we find the last part of the Mass that is still
In the New Translation, we see notice the addition of sever- preserved in Greek, the common language for the Mass
al items found in the official Latin texts but omitted in our even in the West before it switched to Latin in the third or
Current Translation. There is a greater reflection of the Lat- fourth century. This is sung or recited by the deacon, if
in prayer’s teaching on the sinfulness of mankind, of our present, or by the priest, or, if sung, intoned by the cantor.
personal responsibility before God for our actions, and a The faithful respond to each invocation.
greater recognition of our need for mercy. Current Translation New Translation
V: Kyrie eleison V: Kyrie eleison
The absolution of the priest follows the “I confess”. R. Kyrie eleison R. Kyrie eleison
Current Translation New Translation V. Christe eleison V. Christe eleison
The priest says the absolution: The absolution of the Priest follows: R. Christe eleison R. Christe eleison
V: Kyrie eleison V: Kyrie eleison
May almighty God have May almighty God have R. Kyrie eleison R. Kyrie eleison
mercy on us, forgive us mercy on us, forgive us
our sins, and bring us to our sins, and bring us to The final option for the Penitential Rite, following the brief
everlasting life. everlasting life. moment of silence, involves a series of invocations lead by
the priest, a deacon, or another suitable minister. These
The people reply: The people reply: may be sung or recited. They end with Kyrie eleison or its
Amen. Amen. English equivalent: Lord, have mercy.
Current Translation New Translation
Deacon: You were sent to Deacon: You were sent to
Alternatively, following the brief moment of silence, the
following Penitential Rite may be chosen: heal the contrite, Kyrie heal the contrite, Kyrie
eleison eleison
Current Translation New Translation
The priest says: The Priest then says:
Lord, we have sinned Have mercy on us, O People: Kyrie eleison People: Kyrie eleison
against you: Lord
Lord have mercy Deacon: You came to call Deacon: You came to call
The people answer: sinners, Christe eleison sinners, Christe eleison
The people answer: For we have sinned
Lord, have mercy. against you. People: Christe eleison People: Christe eleison

Priest: Priest: Deacon: You plead for us at Deacon: You are seated at
Lord, show us your mercy Show us, O Lord, your the right hand of the Fa- the right hand of the Fa-
and love. mercy. ther, Kyrie eleison ther to intercede for us,
Kyrie eleison
People: People: People: Kyrie eleison. People: Kyrie eleison.
And grant us your salva- And grant us your salva-
tion. tion.
The priest then gives the absolution listed above and the
faithful respond, “Amen.”
The priest then gives the absolution listed above with the
People responding, “Amen.”
Commentary
Commentary Only the deacon/priest’s part of the final invocation chang-
es in the new translation and this not substantially. The
This option for the Penitential Rite now reflects the ap- change, however, brings out the Biblical sense of the power
proved Latin text much more faithfully. Notice that the first that comes from being seated at the right-hand of the King.
People’s response has changed entirely. Following the “I This is the language that St. Paul uses to describe the glory
confess” or the “Have mercy on us” options for the Peni- the Risen Christ has received and from which He makes his
tential Rite, a series of Kyrie eleison-Christe eleison-Kyrie eleison intercession for us to the Father (cf. Eph. 1:19-20; Col. 3:1;
(or their English equivalents: Lord, have mercy…) are sung Heb. 1:3).