Greek & Latin Mass Parts
Our parish has recently introduced several chanted Mass parts, both in Greek (Kyrie - Lord, Have Mercy) and Latin (Sanctus - Holy, Holy Holy, Mysterium Fidei - Memorial Acclamation, and Agnus Dei - Lamb of God). In the time of Jesus, the three main languages would have been Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. The “Amen” finds its origin in Hebrew. The “Kyrie Eleison” (Lord Have Mercy) is rooted in Greek, and the “Agnus Dei” (Lamb of God) is rooted in Latin.
Thus, the reverent and celebrated use of these languages in the Divine Liturgy can help us to be mindful of the great family that is our Church, and in turn, draw us more deeply into union and participation with our Family of Faith.
We undertake this effort to integrate Greek and Latin Mass in the Mass in accordance with the request of the U.S. Bishops:
The Second Vatican Council directed that the faithful be able to sing parts of the Ordinary of the Mass together in Latin. In many worshiping communities in the United States, fulfilling this directive will mean introducing Latin chant to worshipers who perhaps have not sung it before. While prudence, pastoral sensitivity, and reasonable time for progress are encouraged to achieve this end, every effort in this regard is laudable and highly encouraged. Each worshiping community in the United States, including all age groups and all ethnic groups, should, at a minimum, learn Kyrie XVI, Sanctus XVIII, and Agnus Dei XVIII, all of which are typically included in congregational worship aids. (Sing to the Lord, 74-75)
Below are videos, translations, and pronunciation guides to assist with learning the chants.
Kyrie Eleison
Text
Kyrie eleison;
Christe eleison;
Kyrie eleison.
English Translation
Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.
Pronunciation
KEE-ree-ay eh-LAY-ee-sohn;
KHREE-stay eh-LAY-ee-sohn;
KEE-ree-ay eh-LAY-ee-sohn.
Sanctus
Text
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
English Translation
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Pronunciation
sawnk-toos, sawnk-toos, sawnk-toos DOH-mee-noos day-oos SAH-bah-oat
PLAY-nee soont CHAY-lee et TEHR-rah GLO-ree-ah TOO-ah
ho-SAWN-na een eck-SHELL-sees
beh-neh-DEEK-toos kwee veh-neet in NO-mee-nay DOH-mee-nee
ho-SAWN-na een eck-SHELL-sees
Mysterium Fidei
Text
Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Dómine,
et tuam resurrectionem confitemur,
donec venias.
English Translation
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Pronunciation
MOHR-tem TOO-ahm a-noon-TSEE-a-moos DOH-mee-nay
et TOO-ahm re-surr-EKS-ee-ON-em kuhn-fi-TEH-moor
DOH-nek VEH-nee-ahs
Agnus Dei
Text
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
English Translation
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Pronunciation
awn-yoos day-ee, kwee TOLL-ees pay-CAW-tah moon-DEE, mee-zeh-REH-ray no-bees.
awn-yoos day-ee, kwee TOLL-ees pay-CAW-tah moon-DEE, mee-zeh-REH-ray no-bees.
awn-yoos day-ee, kwee TOLL-ees pay-CAW-tah moon-DEE, DOH-nah no-bees paw-chem.
Additional Resources
POPES ON LATIN & TRADITION
Pope John XXIII, Veterum Sapientia, 1962 [Vatican II began under his pontificat]
“The employment of Latin has recently been contested in some quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored…”
https://www.papalencyclicals.net/john23/j23veterum.htm
Pope Paul VI, Sacrificium Laudis, 1966 [Vatican II ended under his pontificat]
“The Latin language is assuredly worthy of being defended with great care instead of being scorned; for the Latin Church it is the most abundant source of Christian civilization and the richest treasury of piety… we must not hold in low esteem these traditions of your fathers which were your glory for centuries.”
https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/it/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19660815_sacrificium-laudis.html
Pope John Paul II, Allocutio Libenter vos Salutamus, 1978
“We address especially the young people: In an epoch when in some areas, as you know, the Latin language and the human values are less appreciated, you must joyfully accept the patrimony of the language which the Church holds in high esteem and must, with energy, make it fruitful. The well-known words of Cicero, “It is not so much excellent to know Latin, as it is a shame not to know it” in a certain sense are directed to you. … We exhort you all to lift up high the torch of Latin which is even today a bond of unity among peoples of all nations.”
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1978/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19781127_certamen-vaticanum.html
Pope John Paul II, Dominicae Cenae, 1980
"The Roman Church has special obligations towards Latin, the splendid language of ancient Rome, and she must manifest them whenever the occasion presents itself."
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1980/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19800224_dominicae-cenae.html
Pope Benedict XVI, Latina Langua, 2012
"The Latin language has always been held in very high esteem by the Catholic Church and by the Roman Pontiffs. They have assiduously encouraged the knowledge and dissemination of Latin, adopting it as the Church’s language, capable of passing on the Gospel message throughout the world. This is authoritatively stated by the Apostolic Constitution Veterum Sapientia of my Predecessor, Blessed John XXIII.
Indeed the Church has spoken and prayed in the languages of all peoples since Pentecost. Nevertheless, the Christian communities of the early centuries made frequent use of Greek and Latin, languages of universal communication in the world in which they lived and through which the newness of Christ’s word encountered the heritage of the Roman-Hellenistic culture.
After the fall of the Roman Empire of the West, the Church of Rome not only continued to use Latin but, in a certain way, made herself its custodian and champion in both the theological and liturgical sectors as well as in formation and in the transmission of knowledge."
https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20121110_latina-lingua.html
Pope Francis, Pontifical Academies Award 2023, 2024
"Latin is a treasure trove of knowledge and thought, a key to the classical texts that forged our world. It represents the roots of western civilization and, in many ways, our very identity."
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/23/241023g.html
Pope Leo XIV, Address to Oriental Churches, 2025 "It is vital, then, that you preserve your traditions without attenuating them, for the sake perhaps of practicality or convenience, lest they be corrupted by the mentality of consumerism and utilitarianism."
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250514-giubileo-chiese-orientali.html
VATICAN II ON LATIN & GREGORIAN CHANT
Sacrosanctum Concilium, 1963 "Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites" (#31)
"Nevertheless steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them" (# 56)
GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL ON LATIN & GREGORIAN CHANT
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
"All other things being equal, Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other types of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.
Since faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is fitting that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, set to the simpler melodies." (#41)