Presider’s Page for 6 August (Transfiguration)
NOTE: This feast had its origin in the East in the fourth century as the commemoration of the dedication of the church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. It was observed in the West from the eighth century and extended to the entire Western Church in the fifteenth century. The feast celebrates the divine radiance shining in Christ’s human flesh and God’s glory shining forth in the lives of Christians.
Opening Comment
The Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on 6 August each year, so we mark that feast today. It is also the date on which the first atomic bomb was exploded, on Hiroshima in 1945. We pray to be delivered from nuclear war.
Penitential Rite
As we enter this celebration, we call to mind our sins against God and one another: (pause)
I confess…
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of glory,
it is good for us to be here.
Reveal your Son to us now
in the message of the prophets
and the witness of the apostles,
that we may heed his voice
and receive him in faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 — Daniel’s prophecy is interpreted by the Church as referring to Jesus, whose glory was seen at the Transfiguration.
2 Peter 1:16-19 — Peter talks about his own experience of being present on the mountain and seeing Jesus transfigured.
Matthew 17:1-9 — Jesus is seen in glory with Moses and Elijah, and the Father’s voice is heard. The disciples learn that resurreection follows death.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us bring our prayers into the presence of the God of glory.
- For the Church, that it may continue to reveal Jesus Christ to the world (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For Christians who suffer persecution, that the promise of glory may sustain them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For peace in the world, that nuclear war may never again bring death and disaster (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people who work for peace, that they may continue despite the difficulties they meet (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who suffer in mind or body, that the healing power of Jesus may bring them comfort (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people on holidays, that they may travel safely and be re-created (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For people who have died as the result of war, and all the dead (especially N & N) that their sufferings may win them the light and glory of heaven (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord, our king, all peoples see your glory: hear our prayers and grant us the support of your grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
through the transfiguration of your only Son
sanctify the gifts we offer,
and by his radiant glory
cleanse us from the stain of sin.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Transfiguration)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He revealed his glory before Peter, James, and John
to strengthen his followers against the scandal of the cross.
His human body shone like the sun
to show that the whole Church, which is his body,
will one day shine with the glory of Christ, its head.
With joyful hearts we echo on earth
the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory without end: Holy, holy, holy….
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together withFrancis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Grant, Lord God,
that the bread from heaven which we have received
may transform us into the likeness of Christ,
whose splendour you revealed
when he was transfigured in glory.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Songs at Mass (Suggestions): ‘Christ Be Our Light’, The Light of Christ’, ‘A Íosa Glan Mo Chroíse’, ‘Walk in the Light’.
GREETING VISTORS
If continental visitors attend Mass during their summer holidays, the presider might welcome them in their own language.
(In Dutch): ‘Beste vrienden, die bij ons uw verlof komt doorbrengen, wij zijn blij u hier te begroeten
(Phonetically) ‘Best-eh freend-en, dee by uns oo fer-lof come-teh door-breng-en, vigh zine bligh oo here tuh buh-ghroot-in.’
(In French): Chers amis qui venez passer vos vacances chez nous, nous sommes heureux de vous acceuillir parmi nous.
(Phonetically) ‘Shares am-ee key venay passay vo va-kawnce shay noo, noo soms uru de vooz a-cow-year parmee noo.’
(In German): ‘Liebe Freunde, Sie kamen um Ihre Ferien hier zu verbringen. Wir freuen uns, Sie bei uns aufzunehmen.’
(Phonetically) ‘Leeba froy-unda, zee cam-en um eere fair-ee-en here tsoo ver-bring-en. Veer froy-en unts, zee by unts owf-zoo-name-in.’
(In Italian): ‘Cari amici, che venite a passare le vostre vacanza qui da noi, siamo felici di accogliervi nella nostra communità.’
(Phonetically) ‘Caree amee-chee, kay vay-nee-tay ah pass-ah-ray lay voss-tray vah-can-za kwee da noy, see-amo fay-lee-chay day akol-ee-err-vee nellah noss-trah com-oo-nee-tah.
(In Spanish): ‘Quiero dar una bienvenida muy especial a los visitantes españoles. Deseo que tengan unas vaccaciones felices entre nosotros.
(Phonetically) ‘Ki-er-oh dar oona be-en-ven-eeda mo-ee espes-ee-al a lows visi-tant-eys e-span-yole-es.
Des-ay-o kay ten-gan oon-as vack-ass-ee-owen-es fe-lee-th-es en-tray nose-ot-rose.’
Since we’re here in Ireland, why not add a “cúpla focail”, since it may be of interest to continental visitors to hear a little of our first official language? Here’s one suggestion from my limited Irish. I’m sure someone with fluent colloquial Irish can give an improved version.
“A cháirde Gael, is breá linn fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir chun ceiliúradh an Domhnaigh le pobal Dé ár bparóiste.”
One small error in the Italian language greeting above:
“le vostre vacanza” should be “le vostre vacanze” –
“lay voss-tray vah-can-zay.”
At the end of Mass, you might consider the “two-minute rule”:
“On your way out, take two minutes to meet and speak, not with someone you already know, but to get to know someone you do not yet know!”
People skip over the Transfiguration as an unreal scene, but all three Synoptics place it at the centre of their narratives. It is the moment where the divine depth of Jesus’ identity emerges. The key to contemplating his Glory and entering the Cloud is adoration.
The Preface for the feast of Transfiguration – as per the “new translation” I found impossible to read! How much longer are we expected to put up with this nonsense?
For comparison purposes:
“New Missal”
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
Through Christ our Lord.
For he revealed his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses
and filled with the greatest splendour that bodily form
which he shares with all humanity,
that the scandal of the Cross
might be removed from the hearts of his disciples
and that he might show
how in the Body of the whole Church is to be fulfilled
what so wonderfully shone forth first in its Head.
And so, with the Powers of heaven,
we worship you constantly on earth,
and before your majesty
without end we acclaim:
1998 Missal
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He revealed his glory before Peter, James, and John
to strengthen his followers against the scandal of the cross.
His human body shone like the sun
to show that the whole Church, which is his body,
will one day shine with the glory of Christ, its head.
With joyful hearts we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory without end:
“Old Missal” Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation
Father,
all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere
to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He revealed his glory to the disciples
to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross.
His glory shone from a body like our own,
to show that the Church,
which is the body of Christ,
would one day share his glory.
In our unending joy
we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory forever:
Thank you Mattie, I rest my case! It is an impossible task for the celebrant and an insult to the intelligence of the congregation.
I put this on Facebook — yet another illustration of the catastrophe inflicted on us by a gang of usurpers. But one still meets people who laud the new version as a return to the Latin and more exalted in its language. I do not believe their opinion is based on any attentive comparison of the three versions.
The new missal sounds beautiful – it is universal in its application and dwells on a past/present/future truth which is based on humility and grace. They were given an opportunity to do much more. When we look at the new missal in terms of Laudato si’ which is a call to a new creation, hence the Season of Creation we approach, the new missal also speaks of a prophecy that the Roman Catholic Church has known about since Vatican II. If you can’t go with that idea, then you have to look outside of your circle to see what’s really going on in the world that is supported by Catholics, perhaps almost all of us.
“The new missal sounds beautiful – it is universal in its application and dwells on a past/present/future truth which is based on humility and grace.” Are you commenting on the language or the content, which is the same as the 1973 and 1998 versions? Is it your considered judgement that the language is beautiful, and is this judgement based on comparison with the 1998 versions? “They were given an opportunity to do much more.” What does this mean? ” When we look at the new missal in terms of Laudato si’ which is a call to a new creation, hence the Season of Creation we approach, the new missal also speaks of a prophecy that the Roman Catholic Church has known about since Vatican II.” What is the “Season of Creation” and what prophecy are you referring to? In what way, precisely, is the new missal more creation-friendly than the 1973 and 1998 texts? “If you can’t go with that idea, then you have to look outside of your circle to see what’s really going on in the world that is supported by Catholics, perhaps almost all of us.” What is “that idea” that allegedly all good Catholics support? In what way does this vague utterance constitute a defence of the new missal?