New Roman Missal Approved for the U. S.

Here's some good news. In a letter dated March 25, the Vatican has given its approval of the translation of the new U.S. version of the Roman Missal. The actual date for full implementation is still uncertain and will be decided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), based on a recommendation by its Committee on Divine Worship.

Because of the extent of the changes -- the first truly substantial changes to the liturgy in decades -- bishops and pastors will oversee the catechesis needed to prepare the faithful for their implementation. The USCCB is releasing a publication aimed at helping pastors in this task, the Parish Guide for the Implementation of the Roman Missal, which will be available from USCCB Publishing. To provide additional support for this effort, the bishops have also developed a website which offers current information about the newly revised Missal and the steps recommended by the bishops for its implementation. It also includes a wide range of resources available to parishes as aids to prepare God's people for these changes. Here's the link: http://www.USCCB.org/romanmissal. The site is quite extensive and should greatly ease the process of catechesis and full implementation of these changes to the divine liturgy.