More Catholics Express Excitement About New Roman Missal

PITTSBURGH — As the Nov. 27 launch of the new Roman Missal nears, Catholics across the country are expressing mixed emotions.

A national survey reveals that three times as many single Catholics expressed positive feelings than negative ones regarding the new prayers and responses that go into effect the first Sunday of Advent. Young adults were more likely to happily welcome the new missal, while Baby Boomers were more prone to be disappointed.

“Praise God for the new changes coming!” said Amy, 24, from Wilmington, N.C. “It is a much more accurate translation and it draws our focus closer to where is should have been all along.”

Specific highlights include:

• 48 percent of single Catholics are “excited,” saying, “It’ll deepen our understanding of the sacred litury.”
• 34 percent of single Catholics are “neutral, trying to keep an open mind.”
• 14 percent are “disappointed,” saying, “Why scrap something so deeply ingrained in us?”
• 4 percent say they “couldn’t care less.”

Results by age:

• 62 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds say they are “excited” about the new missal, compared with 39 percent of single Catholics who are 51 and older.
• Twice as many Baby Boomers as Gen Yers say they are “disappointed” by the change in missal: 9 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds vs.18 percent of those who are 51 and older.

This data was pulled from a national survey issued by CatholicMatch.com over its network and represents the attitudes and behaviors of the more than 2,000 single men and women who completed this poll between Sept. 26 and Oct. 26, 2011.

Direct quotes

“It’s a huge mistake.” —Richard, a 58-year-old from Newport, Ky.

“I am so excited for it. This a great time to renew our faith in Christ Jesus and His Father's will for the Holy Roman Catholic Church.” —Nicholas, a 20-year-old from Normal, Ill.

“I don't like the new missal. Why change something that didn't need changing? I'll continue to say the old prayers and the old creed.” —Brent, a 40-year-old from Byron Center, Mich.

“I attended the new Roman missal workshop offered to Our Parish at Our Lady Grace in Highland, Ind., and they were great! I don't understand what the big deal is!” —Sylvia, a 57-year-old from Schererville, Ind.

“I'm disappointed by the process. A revision was available and submitted to the Vatican in 1998. This submission was, after a number of years, rejected and the translation process slowly taken over by the Curia. The Vatican II documents explicitly state that it is the province of the vernacular bishops to perform the translation, not the Curia.” —Adam, a 31-year-old from Brisbane, Australia

“I have in recent years said the real translation in spite of not being ‘correct’ and the fact that I sounded out of step. But I was theologically correct. Hooray for the improvements that take us back to more accurate translations.” —Joan, a 65-year-old from Houston

“Being that this is only the third time in our church history that a new Roman missal is being issued, it tells me that we are truly blessed with the treasure of always growing in the faith and the Holy Spirit is guiding us to deeper and deeper for Christ and his church.” —Adolph, a 64-year-old from Coram, N.Y.

Interviews on the new missal with single Catholics from your diocese available upon request.

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