The Mass in Words and Pictures

The 'Gloria in Excelsis'

Start of the 'Gloria in excelsis'.  Photograph © Society of Saint Pius X 2003.

Except during penitential or 'sorrowful' times of the Church's year, the Priest begins the solemn hymn to the Blessed Trinity: "Gloria in Excelsis" ("Glory to God in the highest").  The first words of this hymn are those that the Angels sang to the shepherds on Christmas night.  The remainder of the prayer is a development of the Angelic Salutation, calling to mind God's greatness in heaven and our source of confidence in Him on earth.

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