The diocese of St John-Basseterre (Antigua & Barbuda) recently held a workshop to prepare for the new translation of the Roman Missal, which comes into effect Nov 27, the first Sunday in Advent.

Chair of the Liturgical Commission in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Msgr Michael de Verteuil, and Fr Michel Francis of the Archdiocese of Castries, St Lucia, were the presenters at the Oct 20-22 workshop. The sessions were well attended with 70 persons including choir members, musicians, lectors and other interested parties.

Msgr de Verteuil gave a synopsis of the history of the liturgy through the years and gave a rationale for the new translations. He explained that the evolution of the liturgy took into consideration some aspects of the existing culture at that time in Rome. One area of significance was the importance of the bishop's role in the liturgy. He made reference to a judge in charge of his court, and as a result, he becomes the presider of his court. Being the presider, he is given the respect and privileges. He said the same could be said of our bishops and overtime the liturgy was developed. But yet the Church has dropped some of these customs, and has made the liturgy more simple for people to understand and follow. Fr Francis dealt mostly with the new compositions that are now available and encouraged the choirs and musicians to keep to the text.

He encouraged participants to put every effort in preparing the liturgy and not to rush it or neglect its value. – Fr George Williams