Friday, October 24, 2008

The Mass is ended, now...


Even though I've recently contemplated changing my blogger handle to "Cranky Catholic," I'm grateful for my chosen faith (Christianity) and much of the religious practice thereof in Roman Catholicism. Today, I'm grateful for the latest blog fodder I retrieved from Whispers in the Loggia.

Since 2005, there have been discussions about new options for the final words of the Mass. Frankly, I was always charmed and moved by "Ite, missa est," translated as, "The Mass is ended, go in peace." Apparently, many attending the 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist thought Catholics were hearing, "go and rest." Like that would be a bad thing in these times of multi-tasking and God-doesn't-even-know-what on Sundays.

Because many of the bishops wanted to make the church's evangelization mission more clear, here are the new options for dismissal, chosen by the Holy Father:

-- "Ite ad Evangelium Domini annuntiandum" (Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord).

-- "Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum" (Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life).

-- "Ite in pace" (Go in peace).

You know what's coming next, right? My suggestions (in English):

-- Go in peace and don't run over anyone in the parking lot.

-- Go and reveal Christ by actually behaving like a decent human being.

And your suggestions would be? (Use the comment box below!)