We have now attended mass a grand total of two times in New Zealand, and the kiwi Catholics are to be commended for their way of integrating the new English translation of the Latin missal. The first mass we attended was at St. Mary’s Church in Nelson, where the presider was an older kiwi gentleman, assisted by an Indian-born priest on holiday from the North Island. The experience was a bit cramped as we showed up late and underdressed after a long relaxing day on the lawn of the Anglican Church, which stands on Nelson’s principal promontory and is the most recognizable monument in the area.
Front view of Anglican Church on the hill in Nelson, NZ (South Island) including the bell tower and the steps leading down to the city centre (behind the camera)
When we arrived to St. Mary’s we had to make room for ourselves in one of the tightly gathered pews next to an older couple who kept giving us looks at the slightest sound we made. We were not overly unruly, it was just that the mass had somehow changed, and it took us a while to realize that the correct responses, taken from the new missal, were being projected on the walls on either side of the altar. After we realized this, we made much less of a disturbance until it came time to kneel. At this point you must understand just how closely these pews were placed together, for Mike’s 6’7” frame let out an audible groan as he tried to fit himself in the small space. I went down for my respective reverential position and discovered that the pews were in fact much more sturdy and harder than I had imagined, and so mine was a groan of surprised pain.
View of the crucifix at St. Mary’s Church in Nelson
Nonetheless, we gathered ourselves up, fumbled through the new Nicene Creed, responded with the now requisite, “And also with your Spirit,” and quietly followed along with the revised Credo, until we reached one of the more unique new lines of the Mass, which actually changes what was previously my favorite line of the mass: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The theological explanation for the addition of the word "soul" is that this is in fact the part of the body for which we seek God’s healing, and the reason for the change in the wording of the first part is that it seeks to better mirror the line of the centurion in the Bible who expresses great faith and humility when he tells our Lord that He need not even enter into his home, but has only to say the word, and the centurion’s servant shall be healed. Though it will take some time to acclimate to these changes, the English now clearly mirrors the Spanish mass parts, which I appreciate and which have used more literal translations for as long as I know of. I look forward to reading more into these changes, and understanding why they have taken place.
Though I am as staunch a Catholic as any, I appreciate the Church making the effort to enhance the richness of the Mass, which encompasses the source and summit of our faith, the Holy Eucharist - Jesus Christ becoming bodily present in the bread and wine that we share at every Mass. And having just read the line from Matthew’s Gospel: “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (12:37) we need to consider wisely the words that we use, for we will be called to account for them whether in this life or the next.
Representation of Da Vinci’s Last Supper portrayed on the front of the altar at St. Mary’s
On a lighter note, the Catholic kiwis seem to be very much devoted to their faith, though I would not say that the majority of kiwis are overly zealous in their religion. My experiences at the Catholic parishes here in New Zealand have been very encouraging and I look forward to continuing to explore Catholicism in all of its manifestations throughout the various countries of the world. In short, I am impressed by how quickly the New Zealand bishops have moved to integrate the new English translation of the missal, and am overall pleased with the new wordings. They do of course imply a great deal of expense in terms of the learning materials, new prayer books, and hymnals that must be produced, however if in the end it leads to richer, more fulfilling experience of the Catholic faith worldwide, then I am all for it!
Great shot of St. Mary’s taken by Carrie as the sun set after 5pm Saturday night mass
May God bless you all and thank you very much for your support in our journeys.
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