Critical Mass

(Reminder: check out the USCCB Committee for Divine Worship web page for Missal Formation on a regular basis)

I wrote a book (hopefully the first volume of a set) about the new English translation of the Mass to be used starting in Advent of 2010. The book is called Praying the Mass: The Prayers of the People. I'm self-printing and self-publishing it through Lulu.com, but it's not available yet.

Copyright Permissions
I have received copyright permissons from the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) for the English text of the Mass! I am still waiting for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) to provide appoval for use of the Latin text in the book. I have shipped a second copy myself (Registered Mail™, Return Receipt) on June 24th. I included a letter to Cardinal Llovera. Maybe I'll hear back from them in July!

Diocesan Approval
I have sent a copy to my diocesan office to apply for an imprimatur; they received it on May 15th and they'll get back to me. (It would be great if the bishop knows about it by the time I meet with him on a totally unrelated matter on June 2nd.)

Critical Reviews
I sent another copy across the ocean to a priest in England who offered to read and review it on his blog. He's had it for a few days and likes what he has read so far; he'll be offering some feedback (and perhaps some ways to make it more marketable to the English-speakers across the pond). I've also sent a PDF version to a few other people/places — Amy Welborn (wife of the late Michael Dubruiel to whom my book is dedicated), Mike Aquilina (author of The Mass of the Early Christians), and CatholicCulture.org. I've also sent a copy to the unsinkable Adoremus Bulletin. There are also several other people (one of whom is a liturgical director of a parish in Texas, one of whom is a religious Sister, another who is a priest in California) who are reading it.

I have critical reviews (blurbs) for the back cover from Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture and from fellow author Mike Aquilina of The Way of the Fathers.

Foreword
My brother, Fr. Charlie (ordained 17 years!), has completed his foreword. I am very pleased with it, and I thank him profoundly for it. You can read the whole thing here:

It is with great pleasure and fraternal pride that I welcome you to this immensely useful and inspiring work. Great pleasure – because I am sure that those who read it will be edified in their approach to participating at Mass. Fraternal pride – because the author is my younger brother and godson!

In 1992, at my Mass of Thanksgiving the day following my ordination to the priesthood, altar server Jeffrey helped lead the way as the crucifer. Now it is my turn to lead the way into a great work of faith on his part.

Praying the Mass is a helpful and accessible volume for anyone who would like to enter more deeply into the experience of the Eucharistic liturgy. And it is especially useful because of the pending implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal.

Jeffrey skillfully weaves together theology, history and spirituality to explain why we pray, how we pray and what we pray at Mass. While this book is written primarily to guide lay people, I expect that priests and deacons will also find much to nourish their own prayerful participation at Mass as well.

In his 2009 homily on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Pope Benedict warned of the risk of “a formal and empty Eucharistic worship, in celebrations lacking this participation from the heart that is expressed in veneration and respect for the liturgy.” This book contributes to the movement to stir “participation from the heart” and is most timely indeed.

Rev. Charles Pinyan
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, 2009

Revisions
I've made some revisions (content-wise and layout-wise) over the past couple of weeks. I am adding a good chunk on the Psalter, but apart from that (and some typos and corrections), the writing is done. I have recently added quotes from Pope Pius XI on the participation of the faithful in the Mass (exercising their baptismal priesthood). I have also introduced a visual mark for quick recognition of what has changed in the translation: the » mark appears in the left margin to denote the new text.

Lend a hand
If you would like to help review the book (grammar, style, content, etc.) and you've got some time in June to read 150 pages about the new English translation of the Mass, email me, and I can send you the lateset PDF!

Lend a prayer
And, of course, I need prayer. Please pray for the success of this endeavor of mine, not so much for my benefit, but for the benefit of English-speaking Catholics everywhere! Please keep offering prayers for this project!

I'm also beginning research for the second volume, The Prayers of the Priest. I am almost done compiling the Scriptural references. I hope to get started in earnest on this book by the end of June.