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Chapter 7 - Prayers & Responses During the Traditional Latin Mass

6. Glory to God in the Highest (Gloria in Excélsis Deo) – Used in Mass

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The Song of the Angels – A Prayer of Glory and Adoration

The Gloria in Excélsis Deo, known as the Greater Doxology, is one of the oldest hymns of praise in Christian worship, dating back to the early centuries of the Church. It is a hymn of adoration directed solely to the Most Holy Trinity, proclaiming the glory of God, the divinity of Christ, and the peace brought by Our Lord to those of good will.

In the Traditional Latin Mass, the Gloria is sung or recited on Sundays (outside of Advent and Lent) and on major feasts. It represents the voice of the faithful joining with the angels, echoing their proclamation at Christ’s Nativity: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

For Catholics who faithfully reject the errors and heresies of Vatican II, the Gloria is not just a liturgical ornament — it is a theological affirmation of God’s transcendence, the divinity of Christ, and the exclusivity of true peace through Him alone. In contrast, the Vatican II pseudo-church has corrupted the Mass, de-emphasizing the Gloria’s dogmatic content, replacing reverence with sentimentality, and promoting false ecumenism in direct contradiction to this prayer’s clear teaching that peace comes only through Christ — not through interreligious dialogue or compromise.

To pray or sing the Gloria in its original Latin form is to stand with the Church of all time, to give rightful praise to the Holy Trinity, and to reject the man-centered novelties of the post-conciliar revolution.

1. Gloria in Excélsis Deo

Latin:

Gloria in excélsis Deo,
et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.
Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te.
Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam.
Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.
Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.
Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.
Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.
Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.
Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus,
tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe.
Cum Sancto Spíritu, in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

English Translation:

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to men of good will.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee.
We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art the Lord,
Thou alone, O Jesus Christ, art the Most High.
With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

📌 Key Notes:

  • Biblical Origin – The opening words were sung by the angels to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:14), making it one of the most ancient hymns of praise.

  • A Prayer of Worship and Thanksgiving – The Gloria expresses adoration, gratitude, and petition, glorifying God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

  • Used in the Liturgy – The Gloria is recited or sung in the Traditional Latin Mass on Sundays and feast days, except during Advent and Lent.

  • A Connection to the Angels – When we pray the Gloria, we join the heavenly choirs in praising God’s majesty and mercy.

2. Pronunciation Guide

Here is a word-by-word pronunciation breakdown using Ecclesiastical Latin:

Gloria in Excélsis Deo Pronunciation Guide

Gloria in Excélsis Deo Pronunciation Guide

Latin Phonetic Pronunciation Meaning (English)
Gloria in excélsis DeoGLOH-ree-ah een ek-SHEL-sees DAY-ohGlory to God in the highest
et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátiset een TAYR-rah pahks ho-MEE-nee-boos BOH-nay vo-loon-TAH-teesAnd on earth peace to men of good will
Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus teLau-DAH-moos teh, beh-neh-DEE-chee-moos teh, ah-do-RAH-moos teh, glo-ree-fee-KAH-moos tehWe praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee
Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuamGRAH-tee-ahs AH-jee-moos TEE-bee PROP-ter MAHG-nahm GLOH-ree-ahm TOO-ahmWe give Thee thanks for Thy great glory
Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotensDOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, reks cheh-LES-tees, DAY-oos PAH-ter om-NEE-po-tensO Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty
Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu ChristeDOH-mee-neh FEE-lee oo-nee-JEH-nee-teh, YAY-soo KREE-stehO Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son
Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius PatrisDOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, AH-nyoos DAY-ee, FEE-lee-oos PAH-treesO Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father
Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobisKWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-beesThou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us
Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostramKWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, SOO-shee-peh deh-preh-kah-TSEE-oh-nem NOH-stramThou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobisKWEE SEH-des ahd DEX-teh-ram PAH-trees, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-beesThou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us
Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus DóminusKWOH-nee-ahm too SOH-loos SAHNK-toos, too SOH-loos DOH-mee-noosFor Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art the Lord
tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christetoo SOH-loos Ahl-TEE-see-moos, YAY-soo KREE-stehThou alone, O Jesus Christ, art the Most High
Cum Sancto Spíritu, in glória Dei Patris. Amen.Koom SAHNK-toh SPEE-ree-too, een GLOH-ree-ah DAY-ee PAH-trees. AH-men.With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

📌 Key Pronunciation Notes:

  • Excélsis (ek-SHEL-sees) – The "xc" is pronounced as "ks", and "é" is stressed, making it sound like "shel", not "ex-cel".

  • Homínibus (ho-MEE-nee-boos) – The "h" is silent, and "í" is stressed, making it sound like "MEE" instead of "mih".

  • Benedícimus (beh-neh-DEE-chee-moos) – The "c" before "i" is soft, pronounced "ch" as in "church".

  • Cæléstis (cheh-LES-tees) – The "cæ" is pronounced "cheh", and "é" is stressed, making it sound like "cheh-LES-tees", not "ka-lestis".

  • Unigénite (oo-nee-JEH-nee-teh) – The "g" before "e" is soft, pronounced like "j", and "é" is stressed.

  • Agnus Dei (AH-nyoos DAY-ee) – The "gn" is pronounced "ny", like in "canyon".

  • Peccáta (pek-KAH-tah) – The "cc" is pronounced "kk", and "á" is stressed.

  • Miserére (mee-seh-REH-reh) – The "s" is always soft, and "ré" is stressed, making it sound like "REH", not "REE".

  • Déxteram (DEX-teh-ram) – The "x" is pronounced "ks", not "gz", so it sounds like "DEX", not "DEGZ".

  • Altíssimus (Ahl-TEE-see-moos) – The "í" is stressed, making it "TEE", not "ti" as in "tiger."

3. Videos

LATIN: Gloria in excélsis Deo,et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te.Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam.Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus,tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe.Cum Sancto Spíritu, in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

PHONETIC: GLOH-ree-ah een ek-SHEL-sees DAY-oh, et een TAYR-rah pahks ho-MEE-nee-boos BOH-nay vo-loon-TAH-tees. Lau-DAH-moos teh, beh-neh-DEE-chee-moos teh, ah-do-RAH-moos teh, glo-ree-fee-KAH-moos teh. GRAH-tee-ahs AH-jee-moos TEE-bee PROP-ter MAHG-nahm GLOH-ree-ahm TOO-ahm. DOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, reks cheh-LES-tees, DAY-oos PAH-ter om-NEE-po-tens. DOH-mee-neh FEE-lee oo-nee-JEH-nee-teh, YAY-soo KREE-steh. DOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, AH-nyoos DAY-ee, FEE-lee-oos PAH-trees. KWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-bees. KWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, SOO-shee-peh deh-preh-kah-TSEE-oh-nem NOH-stram. KWEE SEH-des ahd DEX-teh-ram PAH-trees, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-bees. KWOH-nee-ahm too SOH-loos SAHNK-toos, too SOH-loos DOH-mee-noos. too SOH-loos Ahl-TEE-see-moos, YAY-soo KREE-steh. Koom SAHNK-toh SPEE-ree-too, een GLOH-ree-ah DAY-ee PAH-trees. AH-men.

LATIN: Gloria in excélsis Deo,et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te.Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam.Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus,tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe.Cum Sancto Spíritu, in glória Dei Patris. Amen. PHONETIC: GLOH-ree-ah een ek-SHEL-sees DAY-oh, et een TAYR-rah pahks ho-MEE-nee-boos BOH-nay vo-loon-TAH-tees. Lau-DAH-moos teh, beh-neh-DEE-chee-moos teh, ah-do-RAH-moos teh, glo-ree-fee-KAH-moos teh. GRAH-tee-ahs AH-jee-moos TEE-bee PROP-ter MAHG-nahm GLOH-ree-ahm TOO-ahm. DOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, reks cheh-LES-tees, DAY-oos PAH-ter om-NEE-po-tens. DOH-mee-neh FEE-lee oo-nee-JEH-nee-teh, YAY-soo KREE-steh. DOH-mee-neh DAY-oos, AH-nyoos DAY-ee, FEE-lee-oos PAH-trees. KWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-bees. KWEE TOH-lees pek-KAH-tah MOON-dee, SOO-shee-peh deh-preh-kah-TSEE-oh-nem NOH-stram. KWEE SEH-des ahd DEX-teh-ram PAH-trees, mee-seh-REH-reh NOH-bees. KWOH-nee-ahm too SOH-loos SAHNK-toos, too SOH-loos DOH-mee-noos. too SOH-loos Ahl-TEE-see-moos, YAY-soo KREE-steh. Koom SAHNK-toh SPEE-ree-too, een GLOH-ree-ah DAY-ee PAH-trees. AH-men.

4. How to Integrate the Prayer Into Daily Life

  1. Morning Offering of Praise – Begin your day by reciting or singing the Gloria as a prayer of thanksgiving and worship, dedicating your day to God.

  2. Before or After Holy Mass – Since the Gloria is a central hymn of the Traditional Latin Mass, praying it before or after Mass can deepen your participation in the liturgy.

  3. During Personal Prayer and Devotion – Incorporate the Gloria into your daily prayers, especially during adoration or Marian devotions, as it expresses gratitude and praise to God.

  4. Use it as a Prayer of Joy and Thanksgiving – Whenever you receive good news, a blessing, or an answered prayer, recite the Gloria as an act of praise and gratitude to God.

  5. Listen to Gregorian Chant Versions – Playing a Gregorian chant or a sung version of the Gloria during your morning prayer or evening reflection can uplift your soul and help memorize the prayer.

  6. Teach It to Others – Encourage your family, children, or prayer group to learn and recite the Gloria together, fostering a greater appreciation for traditional Catholic prayers.

    By incorporating the Gloria in Excélsis Deo into your daily routine, you unite yourself with the angels and saints in praising God, reinforcing the Church’s timeless tradition of worship.

📌 When reciting the Gloria in Excélsis Deo, show reverence and devotion by:

  • Bowing your head at the Holy Name of Jesus (Jesu Christe), in accordance with Catholic tradition.

  • Making the Sign of the Cross at the final words (Cum Sancto Spíritu, in glória Dei Patris. Amen.), as an act of blessing and commitment to the Holy Trinity.

  • Praying with hands joined or raised in supplication, imitating the posture of adoration used in the Traditional Latin Mass.

  • Kneeling or standing solemnly when praying the Gloria outside of Mass, recognizing it as a hymn of praise and exaltation.

  • Reciting or singing the Gloria slowly and prayerfully, focusing on each word’s meaning, rather than rushing through it.

    These gestures enhance devotion and remind us that when we pray the Gloria, we are joining the heavenly choirs of angels in glorifying God.

5. Lesson Summary

The Gloria in Excélsis Deo is a hymn of heavenly praise proclaiming the majesty of the Holy Trinity and the divinity of Christ. Praying it in Latin at the Traditional Latin Mass unites us with the worship of the angels. In an age of doctrinal compromise and liturgical novelty, this hymn reminds us that true peace comes only through Our Lord Jesus Christ — not through interfaith error.

6. Final Thought – Why Does This Prayer Matter?

The Gloria is more than a hymn — it is a declaration of divine truth and an act of pure worship. It acknowledges Christ as Lord, the Holy Ghost as God, and the Father as Almighty — three divine Persons, one God. This prayer directly contradicts the humanist, ecumenical spirit of Vatican II, which elevates man and his feelings above the dogmatic truth revealed by God.

In the Novus Ordo Missae, the Gloria has been stripped of its solemnity, often set to theatrical or sentimental music, sung casually by laypeople, or even omitted altogether. This abuse reflects the shift from God-centered worship to man-centered performance, which characterizes the pseudo-Catholic religion born of Vatican II.

For true Catholics who remain faithful to the Church of the ages, the Gloria is a glorious affirmation of everything Vatican II rejects: the unchangeable divinity of Christ, the necessity of grace for peace, and the absolute glory of God above all creatures. It reminds us that we are not the center of worship — God is.

To kneel or stand reverently and proclaim this hymn in its sacred language is to join the angels in their eternal worship, to profess the true Catholic Faith, and to reject the false religion masquerading as Catholicism since Vatican II.

Let every faithful Catholic pray the Gloria with conviction — in defense of truth, in honor of Christ the King, and as a foretaste of heavenly worship that no modernist distortion can ever replace.

“Gloria in excélsis Deo,
et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.…”

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