A modified translation of the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children has been approved for use in England and Wales and will be published in May.
Harmonising with the Roman Missal
The modified translation updates the text to match the Missal translation where possible:
- Preface dialogue
- Holy, Holy
- Institution Narrative
- Memorial Acclamations
- Doxology and Amen
The remainder of the text, e.g. the Prefaces, is taken from the translation which was issued in English in 1975.
Changes to the text
A number of other amendments have been made to the text.
- The Introduction has been changed so that it reflects current practice.
- Though ‘in view of the psychology of children it seems better to refrain from concelebration’ direction is given for concelebrants for each of the Prayers .
- The additional acclamations have been retained but have been placed in brackets to suggest that the use of them is optional.
- The 3 Memorial Acclamations from the Roman Missal have been included in each of the Eucharistic Prayers.
- For clarity the 3rd Eucharistic Prayer has been printed twice: outside Easter Time & during Easter Time.
- In the 3rd Eucharistic Prayer the text in italic has been added: ‘Father, we ask you to bless these gifts of bread and wine by the power of the Holy Spirit and make them holy.’
Music
One of the key features of the Roman Missal has been the integration of music within the liturgical text. In the same way music has been included in the text of the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children. Where the text is taken directly from the Missal the same chant is used; other texts — e.g. the additional acclamations — the music is based on the Missal chants.
As with the Missal the chants are intended both to provide a simple basic setting which can be used whatever resources are available and to highlight the importance of singing in the liturgy. Where children already know the Missal chants it will be easy for them to pick up the additional acclamations. It is also possible for new musical settings to be written — Guidelines for Composers are available.
Publication
The Eucharistic Prayers will be published 1 May by: