Liturgy 101 - Parts of the Mass #5

Parts of the Mass - The Gloria

Following the Penitential Rite, the Gloria, an ancient hymn of Greek origin also know as the Great Doxology (an expression of praise to God), is sung or said by the whole assembly.

The Gloria is included on Sundays and feast days outside of Advent and Lent, but there was a time when it was included in the Mass only during the seasons of Christmas and Easter. Although the hymn originated with the Greeks, they do not use it in their liturgy, but at the celebration of morning prayers (or lauds).

There will be some changes in the wording of the Gloria in November of 2011, with the publication of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. Aside from some slight rephrasing and a few word replacements, most of the change is focused on expanding the praise and honor given to God. To learn more about the changes, visit www.USCCB.org/romanmissal.