DIOCESAN NEWS
08/05/11
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New translation captures spirit of praise
By Mary Woodward
This week we will look at the newly translated Gloria. Perhaps it is just me but I have trouble reciting the Gloria by myself. I need a congregation around me reciting or singing in unison to keep me on track.
I often compare the Gloria to our national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner.” I wonder how many of us could actually sing our national anthem or the Gloria for that matter as a solo from memory in front of 100,000 people in person and 80 million people on television.
We should not be so quick to judge performers such as Christina Aguilera, who totally botched the anthem at this year’s super bowl game. The Gloria like the Star Spangled Banner is not meant to be a solo; it is meant to be sung in community.
According to the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” (GIRM):
The Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest) is a most ancient and venerable hymn by 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.
The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or by two parts of the congregation responding one to the other.
 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. (GIRM 53)
The Gloria is indeed a venerable and ancient text. It is a hymn of praise dating to at least the fourth century in the eastern churches. In the Book of Popes or “Liber Pontificalis,” references are made to the Gloria being sung every Sunday and on the feasts of martyrs beginning in the early sixth century. As one can see the Gloria is a well established part of our church’s liturgical tradition.
One thing that should be noted by music ministers is the line in the GIRM that the text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text. Thus, versions of the Gloria that do not follow the translation should no longer be used in parishes or institutions of the diocese.
Bishop Joseph Latino has selected two similar Mass settings – the Missa Simplex from Paluch and The Belmont Mass from OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) to assist the faithful in learning the new texts, especially the Gloria. These two settings are very simple in tune (based in plainchant). This will enable congregations to learn the text completely. After using these settings for a transition period until Corpus Christi 2012, parishes may then move on to more innovative settings for their congregations.
In looking at the new translation right away we see in the first line a much clearer translation of the St. Luke’s Gospel 2:13-14. “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
This line from which the hymn takes its name is an expression of our great joy of being in the presence of the Lord, much like the angels on high sing constantly.
The next section follows the Latin literally again as is the case throughout the entire new translation. This section is a showering of praise on the Lord: “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory.” The current translation consolidates the Latin into a shorter version. The new translation includes all the phrasing of the Latin.
The theology behind this was that as humans in the awesome presence of God, we are astounded and unfortunately can only use mere words to try and express our reaction. In using the complete Latin texts the new translation captures the spirit of our meager attempt to heap praise upon God.
Now the Gloria shifts gears and turns to addressing Jesus the Lamb, the only begotten Son, and the theme of forgiveness for our sins. It is a litany much like the Kyrie eleison and the Agnus Dei with three distinct phrases. This section is rooted in John 1:29, when John the Baptist calls out “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
One thing to note in this section is the translation of “peccata mundi.” In the current translation it is translated “sin of the world;” in the new Gloria it is translated in the plural to correspond with the Latin plural – “sins of the world.”
This is a recognition the Lord not only takes away the collective sin from the whole world, but also our individual sins. Again this will be repeated in the Agnus Dei.
The final section of the current and new translation is identical. This part of the Gloria is grounded in the scripture passages: Revelation 15:4 – “For you alone are holy” and Psalm 83:19 – “Let them know that you alone, you whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
As we continue our journey through the new translation, once more I urge you to reflect on the new words and their scriptural roots. Next time we will explore the Creed and its unique phrasing.
(Mary Woodward is diocesan director of the Department of Evangelization, which includes the Office of Liturgy.)
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