MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prayers at Mass Change for Millions of Catholics this Weekend
Catholic Churches throughout North America Implement New Mass Translation
TORONTO (November 24, 2011) – The most significant changes in language used at Mass in
nearly 40 years will be implemented in Catholic Churches throughout North America this
weekend. Clergy across the continent will lead congregations using a new translation of the
Roman Missal, the book of prayers used at Mass.
The product of more than a decade of consultation and collaboration with translators, theologians
and bishops around the world, the updated text is intended to be more faithful to the original Latin
translation. More than 3,000 prayers are contained in the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.
While all the elements of Mass remain the same, the English text will change significantly for
priests presiding at Mass and, to a lesser extent, for churchgoers responding to the prayers.
In a letter to be shared with the Catholic community this weekend, Toronto Archbishop, Thomas
Collins, encouraged the faithful to absorb the richness of the new text:
“As we walk into a newly renovated room, we marvel at the beauty of a space that maintains its
strong foundation yet has taken on a new magnificence after many years of use. We pray that the
Third Edition of the Roman Missal will bring us new appreciation for a sacrament that is the
summit of our experience as Catholics.”
Clergy, parish staff and musicians have participated in numerous workshops throughout the
Archdiocese to prepare for this transition. To assist parishioners with the revised translation,
175,000 brochures outlining the changes have been distributed to churches throughout the
Archdiocese.
The introduction of the the new Roman Missal coincides with the start of the Advent season,
which marks the start of a new church year as Christians throughout the world prepare in joyful
anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
The Archdiocese of Toronto is Canada’s largest diocese, stretching from Toronto north to
Georgian Bay and from Oshawa to Mississauga. It is home to 1.9 million Catholics and 225
churches, with Mass celebrated in more than 30 different languages each week.
Additional resources and background information on the Third Edition of the Roman Missal can
be found online at: www.archtoronto.org/romanmissal
MEDIA CONTACT: Neil MacCarthy – Director, Public Relations & Communications
Phone (416) 934-3400 x 552 Cell: (416) 879-2846 neilm@archtoronto.org www.archtoronto.org
***Note: Archbishop Thomas Collins will preside at the noon Mass, Sunday, November 27 at
St. Michael’s Cathedral – 65 Bond St., Toronto.***