www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Vatican: Don't say "YHWH"

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued a Letter to Bishops' Conferences forbidding the use and vocalization of "YHWH" (Yahweh, Jehovah, etc.) in the liturgy, song and prayer.

Please see the following links:

http://communio.stblogs.org/2008/08/on-the-use-of-the-name-of-god.html

http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/2008/08/cdw-issues-directives-on-use-and.html

The latter link has a link to a scan of the Letter itself.

Glory and thanks to God - and praise and honor to Pope Benedict!

Fr. Serge

Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and forevermore.

Fr David Straut

I was always troubled by this practise in the Jerusalem Bible. It seemed a deliberate sacrilege.

Fr David Straut

I grew up so famliiar with it (including that _The Jerusalem Bible_ was our family Bible) that I never gave it much thought until I read Charles Williams' novel _All Hallows Eve_.

Now, hopefully the CDF will issue a reminder that it is a mortal sin to use the *pronounceable* names of God as expletives.

I grew up more familiar with Jehovah than Yawheh. The only context I even remember noticing that form of the name of God was its use in some of those dreadful "Glory & Praise" hymns - and I use the term "hymns" very loosely.

Whereas I never saw it as a sacrilege, it was at the very least distracting to me in the Jerusalem Bible (my favorite translation for devotional reading). That is why I was so excited when CTS issued a version of the Jerusalem Bible which replaced all instances of the Name with "LORD".

In a study Bible, use of the name YHWH certainly makes the original sense the text clearer. That doesn't justify its use in a liturgical setting. Using YHWH in hymns is even worse.

It's not necessary even in the case of a study Bible. What many Bibles have done over the years when translating the tetragrammaton is to use "LORD," as opposed to "Lord."

Ryan

I wonder how fast this word will get to church musicians who regularly schedule a hymn that specifically uses this Divine Name. And I wonder if this will be one of a number of disobediences we have become accustomed to see in the English-speaking Latin Church.

BOB

One of my favorite novels!!!

Fr. Deacon Daniel

I've never been present at a Mass, to my recollection, in which YHWH was read or said/sung.

Alexis

Alexis,

I believe Bob was referring to the (unfortunately) very popular song "You are Near" which includes the Divine Name.

I've been at youth masses where there are contemporary worship songs with the Name present. I've never had to sit through "You are Near" which I suppose it as blessing of sorts

Alexis:

francis is right. We were just treated to that one in my parish this past Sunday.

Should I cut and past this and give it to my pastor and our choir director?

BOB