With the start of the new liturgical season, the Ateneo community ushered the new year using the recently approved Roman Order of the Mass in English.

Although the community is familiar with the version in the local dialect (Bicol), the missal surprised students and teachers. A few of the prayers recited by the priest and the responses of the people have changed.

The community was surprised to respond “And with your Spirit” instead of “And also with you” to the priests greeting, “The lord be with you!”

High School Chaplain Fr. Ruben Reyes SJ says, “This change has been thoroughly discussed among the clergy in the archdiocese (Caceres) few months before its official promulgation and use.”

According to Fr. Reyes, the new English translation is a departure from the translations made dating back to the Second Vatican Council and is a closer version to the Latin original.

To aid in the class masses, the responses have been set in the projected LCD images in the St. Francis Xavier Chapel of the high school campus. Briefing in the respective Religion classes have been made to prepare the students.