Although most of the sacraments—except Holy Orders—are now celebrated in the Bicol language, no official statement or decree has yet been issued by the Bishops of Bicol, past or present, recognizing the legitimacy of the sacramental formulae currently in use. A careful examination of these texts reveals that they do not always faithfully correspond to the original Latin formulae found in the Missale Romanum, Rituale Romanum, and Pontificale Romanum.
Since the proper sacramental formulae are essential for the valid administration of the sacraments, the urgent need arose to prepare new translations that are both theologically accurate and liturgically faithful. Equally important is their official approval by the Bishops of Bicol to ensure their legitimate use throughout the region.
In response to this need, the Bicol Regional Commission on Liturgy undertook the task of producing a new translation of the sacramental formulae. The work is accompanied by explanatory notes that provide the theological, liturgical, and linguistic basis for the translations. This work is posted here below.
