The New Missal – to the uninitiated, those words may not mean much. But it’s something that already has a lot of people talking.

The Roman Missal contains the prayers and texts used at Mass. The current English translation has only been updated once previously, in 1975. After Pope John Paul II issued a new edition in Latin in 2002, representatives in 11 English-speaking countries had been working on a new English translation. Each of the Bishops Conferences has been approving the translation, section by section.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the final sections in November and people are now arguing for and against the new translation. Although there’s no clear date on when it will be implemented, beginning in April, the Bishops Conference is holding seminars across the country to prepare priests and diocesan leaders.

You can see some examples of the new English translation of the Roman Missal at a special website set up by the Bishops Conference. After you’ve had a chance to read them, let us know what you think. Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page and we’ll read what you have to say on the air.

Thanks for watching! Thanks for reading!

— Christopher Iasiello, Currents Writer/Producer