Vatican approves new Mass endings

The Holy See has approved three alternatives to the priest's final words at Mass: 'Ita missa est' or in English, 'The Mass is ended, go in peace'.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments head, made the announcement on Saturday. Pope Benedict has approved the alternatives, which were requested at the 2005 synod on the Eucharist to express the missionary spirit that should follow from the celebration of Mass.

According to Cardinal Arinze, the Pope had asked for suggestions to be presented. The congregation received 72, from which they prepared nine proposals. The Holy Father has chosen three. The alternatives are in the revised third 'editio typica' of the Roman Missal, which was printed last week, the cardinal said.

The alternatives are:

- 'Ite ad Evangelium Domini nuntiandum' - 'go to announce the Gospel of the Lord'

- 'Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum' - 'go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your lives'

- 'Ite in pace' - 'go in peace' with 'alleluia, alleluia' added during Easter season.

The original Latin final message: "Ite, missa est' has not been modified.

Cardinal Arinze also announced that a Eucharistic compendium, also suggested by the 2005 synod on the Eucharist, is nearly finished.

Source: VIS