Præfatio de Apostolis
Preface of the Apostles
De Apostolis pastoribus populi Dei
Apostles, Shepherds of God's People
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Verily, it is right and just, fair and beneficial, for us to give thee thanks evermore and everywhere: Lord, Holy Father, eternal and almighty God:
Qui gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, non déseris, sed per beátos Apóstolos contínua protectióne custódis, ut iísdem rectóribus gubernétur, quos Fílii tui vicários eídem contulísti præésse pastóres.
Eternal Shepherd, Thou never abandon Thy flock, but through the holy Apostles Thou protect and preserve it, and Thou desire that it evermore be guided by the word of those same shepherds to whom Thy Son entrusted the mission of proclaiming the Gospel.
Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia cæléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:
That is wherefore, together with the Angels and Archangels, the Thrones and Dominions, and the entire host of the heavenly army, we sing a hymn of glory unto thee, saying without end:
