A New Translation of the Bible Read at Mass.

In June 2012, the USCCB Committees on Divine Worship and Doctrine jointly announced that a new Bible would be prepared for catechetical, study, and liturgical use in the dioceses of the United States.

Currently in the United States:

• The Lectionary for Mass is based on the 1970 New American Bible (NAB) Old Testament and the 1986 NAB New Testament, with revisions for liturgical proclamation
• The Liturgy of the Hours uses the 1970 NAB for its Scripture readings and canticles (except the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc dimittis)
• The 2011 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) is approved for private prayer and study

The Catholic American Bible (CAB) establishes a unified Scripture text approved for:

• Proclamation at Mass, in a forthcoming new Lectionary
• The Liturgy of the Hours, in the upcoming Second Edition
• Private prayer and study, in editions available beginning Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027

With the CAB, Catholics in the United States will be able to hear, pray, and study from a single Scripture text approved for liturgical and personal use.

Sacred Scripture was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Translating them involves careful choices about meaning, grammar, and tone. Each translation seeks to beautifully convey the original text in the evolving languages we use today. 

Some translations aim to be word-for-word, preserving the structure and rhythm of the original text. Others use a thought-for-thought approach, making Scripture easier to read, sing, and understand.

The forthcoming Catholic American Bible balances both—faithful to the original, yet clear and beautiful for proclamation and prayer.

The Catholic American Bible (CAB) builds upon the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), first published in 2011.

The CAB includes:

• A modified version of the Old Testament from the NABRE
• The Abbey Psalms and Canticles as the source for the Book of Psalms
• A newly revised New Testament
• Updated introductions and notes
• Appendices including the Abbey Psalms and Canticles

Together, these elements form a single text approved for liturgical and devotional use in the United States.

For prayer and study, Ascension offers The Great Adventure Catholic Bible in Spanish using the Biblia de Jerusalén Latinoamericana (BJL) translation.

For liturgical use in the United States, the Subcommittee on Divine Worship in Spanish of the USCCB shared in their September 2023 newsletter that they are developing an edition of the Biblia de la Iglesia en América (BIA).

The New Testament of the Biblia de la Iglesia en América (BIA) was approved for private use and study in March 2025 and is available now for purchase.

The USCCB has indicated Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027 as the anticipated date for availability of the Catholic American Bible.

Join the waitlist to receive updates on Ascension’s editions!

The USCCB has not yet announced a date for the general availability of a new Lectionary. Join the waitlist to receive updates!

Ascension plans to publish the Catholic American Bible in:

• Paperback
• Leatherlike
• Large Print
• Premium bindings
• Ebook formats

Additional details will be announced closer to publication.

Yes. Ascension plans to offer an edition of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible using the Catholic American Bible translation.

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible is currently offered in the Revised Standard Edition, Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE) and the Biblia de Jerusalén Latinoamericana (BJL) translations.

The Ascension App currently provides the daily readings using the modified NAB approved for liturgical use.

The USCCB has not yet announced a timeline for the release of daily readings using the Catholic American Bible translation. Ascension will share updates as they are confirmed.

Please e-mail us at support@ascensionpress.com or call our support team at (800) 376-0520.