Vatican — The Holy See has instructed bishops worldwide to adjust the translation of a phrase in the consecration formula in the Roman Rite of the Catholic mass.

In consecrating the chalice, the celebrant proclaims the words of Jesus: "Take this all of you and drink from it. This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven."

The expression "for all," is to be replaced with "for many," says the instruction, authored by Francis Cardinal Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The Nigerian-born Cardinal says "for many" is the precise translation of the Latin "pro multis."

"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 willing 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."

The Holy See asks the bishops of those countries where the formula "for all" or its equivalent is currently in use "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."

Cardinal Arinze said the change has been okayed by Pope Benedict XVI. Last year, the Holy See wrote to all presidents of conferences of bishops to ask their considered opinion regarding the translation of the expression. The replies received from the bishops' conferences were studied and a report was made to the Holy Father who approved the change.