Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021, the priest-celebrant will drop the word “one” at the conclusion of all Collects used at mass and other Sacraments. The priest will no longer say, “…one God, forever and ever. Amen.” But simply conclude, “…God, forever and ever. Amen.
Collect is the opening prayer in the Roman Missal, a prayer before the scripture readings (Liturgy of the Word) during mass. Collect is the summation of all prayers of the assembly into one opening prayer by the priest, after the Gloria.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a decree of implementation for the revised translation of the Trinitarian ending of the Collect on December 8, 2020. Bishops’ Conferences of all English-speaking countries will adjust the wording to adhere to the original Latin text.
Currently, the formula in Latin “Deus, per omnia sæcula sæcularum” are rendered in English as “one God, forever and ever.”
At the Holy See’s request, the amendment is to modify the ending of the English-language translation of the Collect, no. 54 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).
Why is the word “one” being removed from the Collect?
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments point out that the addition of “one” is mistaken and problematic. The word “one” can undermine the Son’s unique identity within the Trinity, which is strongly conveyed in the Latin formula. There is also a possibility of interpreting that Jesus Christ is “one God.” The Holy See views such interpretations as injurious to the faith of the Church.
The doxology in Latin emphasizes the divinity of Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son, who intercedes on our behalf, as the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, to the Father and which prayer in made in the unity of the Holy Spirit. The doxological phrase was coined in Africa as a means to combat the Arian heresy. The Son’s role of priestly mediation is made clear.
“To transfer the Trinitarian relational element in unitate as meaning unus Deus is incorrect.”
But Why Change Now?
Robert Cardinal Sarah, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, wrote to Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg and President of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, on May 13, 2020.
A correct interpretation is in a time “when many people see Jesus simply as a good man or moral teacher, like Socrates or the Buddha, but fail to recognize Jesus as the incarnate Son of God and the Second Person of the Trinity.” The change safeguards the Trinitarian formula and the profession of the Son’s divinity.
People use the English translation of the Roman Missal as a guide for other local languages, which runs the risk of an “unauthentic interpretation.” In this instance, other main languages like French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese adhere to the original Latin text in the Collect.
Episcopal Conferences of the English-speaking world will enact changes in the Collect, taking the French or German approach or opt for something closer to the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese model.
Few noticed the above change when the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments provided a Mass in Time of Pandemic, the word “one” had been dropped by the Dicastery.
What else will change?
The change to the ending of the Collect is also to be applied in similar prayers in the liturgy, which also concludes with the doxology, such as the Blessing of Water at the Easter Vigil. Other Liturgical celebrations you will notice this change is during the ordination of Bishop, of Priests, and Deacons and dedication of a Church and an Altar.
Practically, the bishop or the priest celebrant will omit the word from the prayer, without a need to strike out or attempt to erase the word “one” in each instance in the liturgical books.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops provides “Catechesis and Explanation” to prepare the faithful for the change.
Change to the conclusion of the Collect in the English translation of the Roman Missal is an opportunity for catechesis.
Doesn’t the change undermine Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29?
Yes, I believe it does contradict scripture. Throughout my life it has always been understood the trinity as one. Just as we are all made one in God. We are an extension of, ‘One God the Father’. I don’t believe this was a change due to interpretation. I believe this was a reaction to this world of separation, unfortunitely brought into being from evil that dwells amongst us on earth. A reaction to humans need to be recognized an through individualism. Literally, One God, would infer that only One God exists and that would deny other religions their God that they don’t refer to as ‘God’ by name. Oh the physical world we live in will never understand the spiritual world of interpretation regardless of name. In conclusion, no matter how you reference him, there is only ‘ONE’ SUPREME BEING, and only could be one!
The communication of the change by the US bishops – at a time when their credibility is in free fall – is characteristically absent. I live and worship in the Archdiocese of St. Louis – sometimes referred to as the “Rome of the West” for its vibrant seminary and liturgical thought leadership and quality- and after hearing this subtle change this weekend I asked two Monsignors and two senior priests about it. Their replies: “ It started with Ash Wednesday. The reason is a mystery to me.”
And “ Not sure what it’s all about we just got a directive to do it”. If liturgy is the source and summit of our prayer and worship, we should not be surprised by changes in it. Another said day for the ONE holy catholic and apostolic faith. The praying and paying faithful are in the dark, but future catechisis will save us. Or was it just a parting shot from Robert Cardinal Sarah to the Holy Father he was supposed to serve?
As you pointed out, catechesis allows us to celebrate mysteries through liturgical worship. I looked at the change as an opportunity to inform people who are committed to their faith journey. I pray that Jesus leads you to your mission in your situation. Blessings.
Thankfully, the only thing that informed me was this blog of yours, Father. I thank you for enlightening me in my faith journey and for doing what the US bishops did not do. Issuing a directives to the parishes without any rationale is not catechisms.
Catechesis (not catechisms)
I appreciate my simple blog was helpful. Blessings
I believe that there are much more necessary and more demanding articles needing greater attention than the word ” one “. Abortion issues, the use of aborted tissues, euthanasia etc. that our Church should be focused on. Seems such a petty thing to me. We all know that there is only one God, the trinity, so I think the conference of Bishops could discuss much more detrimental issues affecting the demise of Christianity and the increase of secularism.
Thanks, Eileen for your observation. I hope every change brings us closer to God.
The above change is implemented by Bishops of England, Wales and Ireland beginning of Advent.
The change may take time to be implemented in English speaking dioceses outside Canada.
Our parish in Ohio
initiated the change on Ash Wednesday; however, I only looked it up today and learned why. My personal interpretation of “One God” was not to belittle or degrade Jesus, as the Second Person of God, but to emphasize that there is only “One God”, not a polytheism. I’ll have to get used to the new wording. I liked “One God, forever and ever”; it makes more sense to me.
I appreciate your search to find meaning in the change of the word to reflect the tenants of our faith.
As a priest, I have to unlearn to stop saying the word ‘one’ as I conclude the prayers. Even priests are so used to say it out of habit. but now it is an opportunity to deepen our understanding and more so to state it as our intentions to worship God.