Thursday, March 28, 2024
Roman Catholic News

The Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest) – Mass Change Updates

The Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, Heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us;
You take away the sin of the world,
receive our prayer;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One;
you alone are the Lord.
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God, the Father.
Amen

Focus on the Change by Fr. James Chelich
The Latin word, Gloria, means “glory” or “glory be given to…”  The Gloria is an ancient Greek Christian hymn.  It has been used in prayer and worship other than the Mass (i.e. Morning Prayer) in both the Roman and Byzantine traditions.*

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will!  The opening verse is the song of the angels at the birth of Jesus. (Luke 2:14)

The remaining verses were added later, and portions of them can be traced back to the 3rd and 4rth centuries.  Most of the lyrics of this ancient hymn, proclaiming the names and titles of God and Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, are drawn directly from the Scriptures:

Lord God (Exodus 20:7; Amos 5:1-3)
Heavenly King (Psalm 24)
Almighty God (Genesis 17:1)
Father (Matthew 6:6-13)

Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:28)
Begotten Son (Hebrews 1:5)
Lord God (John 20:28)
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29)

Son of the Father (John 3:16)
Only Son (coming from the Father) (John 1:14, 18)
Seated at the Right Hand of the Father (Mark 14:60-62)

Holy One (John 6:69)
Lord (Acts 2:36)
(Son of the) Most High (Luke 1:32; Luke 8:28)

* The Roman tradition is the manner of prayer and order of worship in the western Christian Church centered on Rome.  The Byzantine tradition is the manner of prayer and order of worship in the eastern Christian Church centered on Byzantium, later known as Constantinople and today called Istanbul.

The New Roman Missal
The Nicene Creed
Part 1 – The Creed and “I believe…”
Part 2 – …consubstantial with the Father
Part 3 – Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary
Part 4 – of all things visible and invisible
Part 5 – the only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages
Part 6 – he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures.
Part 7 – who has spoken through the Prophets.
Part 8 – I confess; I look forward to

The Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)