Latin Lesson: The Gloria

Flavor Text/Copy: Father Daniel breaks down the “Gloria” in Latin.

Today we study the Gloria in Latin, so you can understand what you're praying in Latin in

your native tongue.

First, remember that all the romantic languages begin with Latin! If you know any other

romantic languages, it will help you to understand the grammatical structure.

Gloria (Glory) in (to) Excelsis Deo (God in the highest).

Et (and) in terra (on earth) pax (peace)

hominibus (to people) bonae voluntatis (of good will).

Note that Deo is the subject God. Et always means "and".

In is a preposition that is used in many different contexts like "in", "at", "on", "of", and "to."

Laudamus te (we praise you). Benedicimus te (we bless you).

Adoramus te (we adore you). Glorificamus te (we glorify you).

Note that any word ending with "-mus" means "we" are acting, and "te" is directed to the 2nd

person, "you."

For example, "laudamus te" means "we-praise you".

Gratias (thanks) agimus tibi (we give you)

propter (according to) magnam gloriam (great glory) tuam (yours).

Gratias is like the Spanish, "gracias" meaning "thanks."

"tibi" and "tuam" are also like "tu" which also refers to "you" in the 2nd person.

Domine Deus (Lord God), Rex coelestis (King of Heaven),

Domine comes up a lot! Note that Domine is Lord. Lord of a "domain" or space/kingdom.

Deus (God) Pater omnipotens (Father almighty).

Domine (Lord) Fili unigenite (only begotten Son), Jesu Christe (Jesus Christ).

Pater is like "father" in English or also in Spanish, "padre."

Also, "fili" stems from "filio" which means sonship.

This is why when we say "Divine filiation", we know that it's our identity as God's children.

I hope these examples help you to appreciate and understand the Latin in greater detail.

This is the Church's tongue. If we do not continue to appreciate it, the language dies.

May we continue to grow in appreciation for the language that our Lord Jesus spoke and wrote.

Always,

Fr. Daniel