Fr. Brethen Rye Gamala, head of the Commission on Liturgy in the Diocese of Bacolod, said these changes will be discussed during the three-day 27th National Meetig of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy in Bacolod City next week

Gamala, who heads the preparation for the NMDDL, said it will focus on the theme: “The Constitution on the Liturgy and its impact on the Philippine Church.”

Assisting him in the organizing committee is Fr. Tomas Rito, who said the challenge for the church is to make the celebration of the mass understandable and meaningful to everyone.

This is why, he said, lay participation is being encouraged, such as the forming of lay ministers and lectors, who are actively involved in the Eucharistic celebration.

Rito said some churches in Bacolod have started implementing the new translation of the responses. From the usual “and also with you” response when the priest says “The Lord is with you”, the new response should be “And with your spirit”.

He added that responses in Ilonggo or Hiligaynon masses remain the same as the changes will initially affect the English mass.

Meanwhile, former Commission on Liturgy director, Fr. Joevic Lemoncito, said it is the first time for the Diocese of Bacolod to host the NMMDL and among the delegates who will arrive next week is Bishop Julius Tonel of the Diocese of Ipil and chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy.

The three-day event will held at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel.*NAB

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