Here are some samples:

“For he assumed at his first coming

the lowliness of human flesh,

and so fulfilled the design you formed long ago,

and opened for us the way to eternal salvation,

that, when he comes again in glory and majesty

and all is at last made manifest,

we who watch for that day

may inherit the great promise

in which now we dare to hope.”

“For in the mystery of the Word made flesh

a new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind,

so that, as we recognize in him God made visible,

we may be caught up through him in love of things invisible.”

“For through him the holy exchange that restores our life

has shone forth today in splendor:

when our frailty is assumed by your Word

not only does human mortality receive unending honor

but by this wondrous union we, too, are made eternal.”

“For you have given your children a sacred time

for the renewing and purifying of their hearts,

that, freed from disordered affections,

they may so deal with the things of this passing world

as to hold rather to the things that eternally endure.”

“For you will that our self-denial should give you thanks,

humble our sinful pride,

contribute to the feeding of the poor,

and so help us imitate you in your kindness.”

What is so beautiful about this???

I read your comment and have some real questions here:

Personally, I am not too sure what language is spoken at our liturgies. Really? You, a priest, are not too sure what language is spoken at your liturgies?

but for those sitting there in blank wonderment, I have reservations. For these people sitting in blank wonderment, do you really think the change in language will make any difference whatsoever?

I do pray that we can prepare our people a little better than we did after Vatican II. If by “we” you are counting yourself in that crowd (since it’s your job, right?, then I will join you in your prayers. And I absolutely agree with you that many, (if not most) priests did a miserable job in upholding dogma and tradition after Vatican II. I place most of the blame squarely at the top (i.e. the magesterium) but I also believe all it really would have taken was enough good priests and lay-people to stand together and say “Enough!”

Like Joni Mitchel (and Janet-baby) said, “you don’t know what you got ’till it’s gone…”

I do pray that we can prepare our people a little better than we did after Vatican II.

But, I have reservations on that also, but, faith that somewhere in it all, the Eucharist will remain as always the Eucharist. .it’s as simple as that.

The utter irony here is that the majority of people who lamment this new language will no longer “speak to the younger generation” are themselves so out of touch with what the younger generation wants. Doubtless this group would prefer the words “groovy” and “right-on” to be generously used throughout the mass to appeal to “the younger generation”. I’m sure they’d rather replace “and with your spirit” with “you bet your sweet bippy”, so as to relate to the “younger generation”. Cuz that’s what all the kids are saying these days.

The utter cluelessness of this group is indeed manifest in that online petition you mentioned. While everyone knows the Vatican always caves into random online petitions, the results of this one must have reached Our Beloved Pontiff AFTER he decided to form the commission (but not before he fertilized his pumpkins in Farmville, between facebook “likes”).

As I usually attend Tridentine mass, I don’t know exactly when I will hear this new translation. And to be honest, I’m pretty sure the parishes in my immediate vicinity will be hold-outs, if not refusing to use them entirely. We’ll see how this one plays out.