“The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text… It is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character.”
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal (#115)
The changes in the Roman Missal, which were begun in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II, overseen by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), approved in November of 2009 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and given final approval by the Vatican in April of 2010, are being implemented this Advent of 2012.
Notice that in the “Gloria” the new words are a more literal translation of the Latin text. For instance, in the Latin text of the “Gloria” reads, “Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te.” The new translation in the vernacular says, “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.” (Presently we say, “We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.”) Put side by side, you can clearly see that the translation is more literally transcribed.
This month we will learn parts of the new “Gloria”. As we learn these new words, let us always pray and sing, “In Gloria Dei Patris.” In the glory of God the Father. Amen!
