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How did the Roman Missal originate?

In the early Christian Church, many of the prayers that were said at Eucharist were memorized and handed down by word of mouth. Eventually the prayers were collected and written down in books known as sacramentaries (book of sacraments). Scripture readings were recorded in other books and the Psalms were written in a book called the Psalter. Throughout the ages, as these manuscripts were passed down, modifications and additions were made. Eventually, all the chants, prayers, instructions and scriptures were organized into one book. It was written in Latin and as the texts contained in it continued to evolve over the next five centuries it became quite large. After the Second Vatican Council, the Mass was translated into many different languages (the vernacular).
Remembrance 2
A Walk through the New Mass
Once again the example is from the Second Eucharistic Prayer.
Former: New:
In memory of his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread,
this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.  		 Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial
Of his Death and Resurrection,
We offer you, Lord,
The Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation
Giving thanks that you have held us worthy
To be in your presence and minister to you.
The change from ‘Father’ to ‘Lord’ makes the English closer to the Latin.

Like the Latin Missal, the new version is more biblically based than the old one. The phrase ‘the bread of life’ comes from Christ’s discourse as given in John 6:35 and again in John 6:48. The words ‘chalice of salvation’ are from Psalm 116:13. On the other hand, the words ‘stand in your presence’ are a better translation than ‘be in your presence’, but the change has perhaps been made because at this point, the congregation is in fact kneeling.

The word ‘minister’ has replaced ‘serve’– the Latin word specifically denotes liturgical service.

May all of us who share in the body
and blood of Christ
be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.		 Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
The words ‘Humbly we pray’, left untranslated in the earlier version, have now been restored
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love,
together with N. our Pope,
N. our Bishop, and all the clergy.		  Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop
and all the clergy

The changed order of words at the start once again echoes the Latin text. The word ‘spread’ has been used to translate the Latin diffusae, and reminds us of the process of evangelisation, according to Jesus’s instructions at the end of the synoptic gospels.

Lastly, ‘ bring her to the fullness of charity’ comes from Latin again previously omitted. It is difficult to translate; another version would be: ‘that you would perfect her in charity’.

Based mainly on the DVD ‘Become One Body, One Spirit, in Christ’.

©2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Thanks also to the author of http://causafinitaest.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-translation-monday-eucharistic_12.html
 

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