The problem the Vatican has with the translation of the Mass from Latin into English is that English, now an important global language, is the new Latin. In many parts of the world Latin is almost unknown and for many years translations into other languages have been and are being made from English rather than Latin. So an English translation close to the Latin original was highly desirable from that Vatican viewpoint.

Since the 2010 English translation was approved, parishes throughout the English-speaking world have spent millions re-equipping themselves with new altar missals and people’s participation aids. Is it realistic to expect that to be repeated within a generation?

So what is to be done? It is the sentence structure that is just not English usage and is a daily challenge to celebrants. This can be addressed by proclaiming them clearly and slowly, pausing thoughtfully, phrasing them carefully by observing punctuation scrupulously, and varying the pace and pitch of voice. This requires effort but certainly helps to convey the content of the prayer to the congregation. When these texts are read hastily in a monotone, the prayers might just as well be read in Latin.