Liturgy
'For many' or 'for all' (News in Brief)
By CI Staff

Hardcopy Issue Date: January, 2007
Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2007, 21:51

             Vatican—The translation of “pro multis” as “for all” by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy after the Second Vatican Council, has generated more controversy than any other single translation in the various vernaculars of the Mass. The Latin Canon of the Mass was composed towards the end of the 4^th-century from the Greek, and the Latin words chosen were “pro multis” (for many), not “pro omnibus” (for all).

            In July, 2005, Francis Cardinal Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote to the presidents of the Conferences of Bishops to “ask their considered opinion regarding the translation into the various vernaculars of the expression “pro multis” in the formula for the consecration of the Precious Blood during the celebration of Holy Mass” (July 2005). The replies received were studied by the two Congregations and a report made to the Holy Father.

            On October 17, 2006, Cardinal Arinze again wrote to the Conferences of Bishops outlining the arguments in favour of a precise rendering of the traditional formula “pro multis,” that is “for many.” The gospels of Matthew and Mark make specific reference to “many” for whom the Lord is offering the sacrifice; the Roman Rite in Latin has always said “pro multis” in the consecration of the wine into the Blood of Christ; the Oriental Rites (Greek, Syriac, Armenian, etc.) contain the verbal equivalent of the Latin “pro multis” in their translation; “for many” is a faithful translation of “pro multis;” “for many” is open to all for salvation.

            In conclusion, Cardinal Arinze requested that those countries where the formula “for all” is being used take the necessary steps to provide catechesis to the faithful and prepare them to make the change to “for many” in the next translation of the Roman Missal which the Bishops and the Holy See will approve for use in their country (scheduled for 2008 in Canada and the U.S.).

Comment:      

            Those who wish a more complete background on “pro multis” may visit http://www.wdtprs.com/blog/.  It is the blog site of Latin scholar and good priest Fr. John Zuhlsdorf.

            Also note that there is no doubt whatsoever about the validity of Masses celebrated with the authorized translation “for all,” as determined by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1973 (see 25 Ianuarii 1974, AAS 66 (1974), 661). It is a dogma of the faith that Christ died on the cross for all men and women (cf. John 11:52; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Titus 2:11; 1 John 2:2).

            The new missal will also carry many other changes.