On October 17, 2006, Cardinal Francis Arinze,
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments, wrote to the Presidents of all
Conferences of Bishops concerning the translation of pro
multis in the words of consecration of the Order of
Mass. A copy of the Cardinal-Prefect's letter… [is]
provided… for the information of our readers.
CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO
ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Rome, 17 October 2006
Prot. no. 467/05/L
Your Eminence / Your Excellency,
In July 2005 this Congregation for Divine
Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by agreement
with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote
to all Presidents of 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 (ref. Prot. n. 467/05/L
of 9 July 2005). The replies received from the Bishops'
Conferences were studied by the two Congregations and a
report was made to the Holy Father. At his direction, this
Congregation now writes to Your Eminence / Your Excellency
in the following terms:
- A text corresponding to the words
pro multis, handed down by the Church, constitutes
the formula that has been in use in the Roman Rite in
Latin from the earliest centuries. In the past 30 years
or so, some approved vernacular texts have carried the
interpretative translation "for all," "per tutti," or
equivalents.
- There is no doubt whatsoever
regarding the validity of Masses celebrated with the use
of a duly approved formula containing a formula
equivalent to "for all" as the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith has already declared (cf. Sacra
Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Declaratio de sensu
tribuendo adprobationi versionum formularum
sacramentalium, 25 ianuarii 1974, AAS 66 [1974],
661). Indeed, the formula "for all" would undoubtedly
correspond to a correct interpretation of the Lord's
intention expressed in the text. It is a dogma of faith
that Christ died on the Cross for all men and women (cf.
John 11:52; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Titus 2:11; 1 John
2:2).
- There are, however, many arguments in
favor of a more precise rendering of the traditional
formula pro multis:
-
- The Synoptic Gospels (Mt 26:28;
Mk 14:24) make specific reference to "many" for whom
the Lord is offering the Sacrifice, and this wording
has been emphasized by some biblical scholars in
connection with the words of the prophet Isaiah
(53:11-12). It would have been entirely possible in
the Gospel texts to have said "for all" (for
example, cf. Luke 12:41); instead, the formula given
in the institution narrative is "for many," and the
words have been faithfully translated thus in most
modern biblical versions.
- The Roman Rite in Latin has
always said pro multis and never pro
omnibus in the consecration of the chalice.
- The anaphoras of the various
Oriental Rites, whether in Greek, Syriac, Armenian,
the Slavic languages, etc., contain the verbal
equivalent of the Latin pro multis in their
respective languages.
- "For many" is a faithful
translation of pro multis, whereas "for
all" is rather an explanation of the sort that
belongs properly to catechesis.
- The expression "for many," while
remaining open to the inclusion of each human
person, is reflective also of the fact that this
salvation is not brought about in some mechanistic
way, without one's own willing or participation;
rather, the believer is invited to accept in faith
the gift that is being offered and to receive the
supernatural life that is given to those who
participate in this mystery, living it out in their
lives as well so as to be numbered among the "many"
to whom the text refers.
- In line with the Instruction
Liturgiam authenticam, effort should be made to
be more faithful to the Latin texts of the typical
editions.
- The Bishops' Conferences of those
countries where the formula "for all" or its equivalent
is currently in use are therefore requested to undertake
the necessary catechesis of the faithful on this matter
in the next one or two years to prepare them for the
introduction of a precise vernacular translation of the
formula pro multis (e.g., "for many," "per
molti," etc.) in the next translation of the Roman
Missal that the Bishops and the Holy See will approve
for use in their country.
With the expression of my high esteem and
respect, I remain, Your Eminence /Your Excellency,
Devotedly Yours in Christ,
+ Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect