Week 14: Introductory Rite: Gloria

By Archbishop Michael Jackels

Witness Publisher

On most Sundays, the Gloria is sung or recited. It begins with words similar to those sung by angels at the birth of Jesus.

The word glory comes from a Hebrew word, referring to something heavy, immense, or weighty.

Saying “Glory to God” signifies that God and the things of God are weighty, beyond our imagining, different than the way we think and act, so much so that we are filled with wonder and awe, not knowing what else to say but: Glory! God is great!

This is an expression of the attitude of worship that was inspired by the Penitential Act: flabbergasted with amazement, full of praise, acknowledging our debt of gratitude to God.