The occasion was a Mass of thanksgiving held at Westminster Cathedral for the first anniversary of the Pope's visit to Britain, at which the bishops of England and Wales were present, plus representatives of other Christian churches and the civic institutions that were involved in the visit.
The official presentation of the new Roman Missal, in the new English translation, was made firstly to Archbishop Vincent Nichols and then to Bishop Arthur Roche (Chairman of the Department for Christian Life and Worship of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and also of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy) in the splendid surroundings of the Westminster Cathedral sacristy prior to the Mass, and in front of the bishops of England and Wales.
The official presentation of the new Roman Missal, in the new English translation, was made firstly to Archbishop Vincent Nichols and then to Bishop Arthur Roche (Chairman of the Department for Christian Life and Worship of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and also of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy) in the splendid surroundings of the Westminster Cathedral sacristy prior to the Mass, and in front of the bishops of England and Wales.
The copies of the Missal presented were two Altar Missals, specially boxed in red velvet-lined cases. One of the Missals was then used by Archbishop Nichols during a beautiful Mass embellished with music from Mozart and Widor and hymns by Blessed John Henry Newman.
The Archbishop thanked the CTS for all the hard work that had gone into the volume, saying that it will play a vital role in the Church's life for years to come.
Fergal Martin, General Secretary of the Catholic Truth Society, told those present: "To publish the Roman Missal is, for a Catholic publisher, a dream beyond compare - nothing could or has given the CTS such great satisfaction and pleasure, in all its 143 years."
"We truly hope the volume adds beauty to the celebration of the liturgy and plays its small part in calling the faithful to prayer and to faith. If so, we would indeed consider our job well done."
It was exactly a year ago today that Pope Benedict told Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales: "I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration."
Archbishop Vincent and Bishop Arthur warmly greeted representatives of CTS (Fergal Martin, Pierpaolo Finaldi, and Richard Brown) and their spouses, and thanked them for their contribution to the implementation of the new translation of the Mass.
Full text of speech by Fergal Martin, General Secretary of the Catholic Truth Society:
Your Grace,
To publish the Roman Missal is for a Catholic publisher a dream beyond compare - nothing could or has given the CTS such great satisfaction and pleasure, in all its 145 years.
The grace and elegance of the new English translation has greatly inspired the grace and beauty of the volume itself in all its details and in all three Ritual Editions.
We truly hope the volume adds beauty to the celebration of the liturgy and plays its small part in calling the faithful to prayer and to faith. If so, we would indeed consider our job well done.
May I introduce key people responsible for the design, editing and production of these volumes, Pierpaolo Finaldi (Glenda Swain and Corre Ruse not here today) who have worked brilliantly and worried too much over its design pages, ribbons, illustrations and covers for over two years. Working with the Bishops and Liturgical Offices of England & Wales, Scotland and Australia, and so many other competent bodies, advisers and clergy has been an inspiring experience of communion - all for God's glory. I'm sure you'll want to join in my thanks to them, and so many others.
With great joy, therefore, on behalf of the Catholic Truth Society Publishers, I formally present to you the published Ritual Altar Edition of the Roman Missal - both to you personally here in your Cathedral, (on the day of the first Anniversary of the visit of Pope Benedict to the United Kingdom), and simultaneously to all the Bishops of England and Wales to each of whom volumes are being sent as I speak.
I express the sentiments to Bishop Roche in presenting him a copy also, as Chair of the Liturgical Commission and of ICEL.
The Archbishop thanked the CTS for all the hard work that had gone into the volume, saying that it will play a vital role in the Church's life for years to come.
Fergal Martin, General Secretary of the Catholic Truth Society, told those present: "To publish the Roman Missal is, for a Catholic publisher, a dream beyond compare - nothing could or has given the CTS such great satisfaction and pleasure, in all its 143 years."
"We truly hope the volume adds beauty to the celebration of the liturgy and plays its small part in calling the faithful to prayer and to faith. If so, we would indeed consider our job well done."
It was exactly a year ago today that Pope Benedict told Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales: "I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration."
Archbishop Vincent and Bishop Arthur warmly greeted representatives of CTS (Fergal Martin, Pierpaolo Finaldi, and Richard Brown) and their spouses, and thanked them for their contribution to the implementation of the new translation of the Mass.
Full text of speech by Fergal Martin, General Secretary of the Catholic Truth Society:
Your Grace,
To publish the Roman Missal is for a Catholic publisher a dream beyond compare - nothing could or has given the CTS such great satisfaction and pleasure, in all its 145 years.
The grace and elegance of the new English translation has greatly inspired the grace and beauty of the volume itself in all its details and in all three Ritual Editions.
We truly hope the volume adds beauty to the celebration of the liturgy and plays its small part in calling the faithful to prayer and to faith. If so, we would indeed consider our job well done.
May I introduce key people responsible for the design, editing and production of these volumes, Pierpaolo Finaldi (Glenda Swain and Corre Ruse not here today) who have worked brilliantly and worried too much over its design pages, ribbons, illustrations and covers for over two years. Working with the Bishops and Liturgical Offices of England & Wales, Scotland and Australia, and so many other competent bodies, advisers and clergy has been an inspiring experience of communion - all for God's glory. I'm sure you'll want to join in my thanks to them, and so many others.
With great joy, therefore, on behalf of the Catholic Truth Society Publishers, I formally present to you the published Ritual Altar Edition of the Roman Missal - both to you personally here in your Cathedral, (on the day of the first Anniversary of the visit of Pope Benedict to the United Kingdom), and simultaneously to all the Bishops of England and Wales to each of whom volumes are being sent as I speak.
I express the sentiments to Bishop Roche in presenting him a copy also, as Chair of the Liturgical Commission and of ICEL.