Roman Catholics are getting a new translation of the prayer book that guides them through the mass. Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George announced today it goes in use late next year.

The new Roman Missal has a more formal or elevated tone. That’s according to Todd Williamson, who heads the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Divine Worship. He says the only part of the mass that’s changing is the translation of the prayers.

WILLIAMSON: It’s going to call us out of that robotic participation. It’s going to cause us to pay closer attention, and I think it’s going to call us to listen to the words more closely.

Williamson says this is the first new English translation of the Roman Missal in almost 40 years. The church will start using the new book in November 2011.

In the meantime, the Archdiocese will hold workshops to get priests and staff ready for the change.