When was the last time you heard angels?

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Has anyone ever told you that you sing like an angel?

Every time you attend Mass, you have at least one - often two - chances to do just that.

Two parts of the Mass have prayers based on the words of angels found in Scripture.

The first time is in the Introductory Rites, when we sing or say the Gloria. Also known as the Angelic Hymn, the Gloria begins with the words of the angels spoken in the Infancy narrative of Luke's Gospel. Appearing to shepherds in the fields surrounding Bethlehem, the angels sing, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to men of good will" (Lk 2:14).

The Gloria is usually sung at Sunday Mass and on solemnities, though it is not used during Advent or Lent - given the penitential nature of these seasons.

The Gloria dates to the first years of the church, but it was not used at Mass. It was part of Morning Prayer. It was originally said in Greek and only later in Latin. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that tradition credits St. Hilary (d. 366) with the translation into Latin.

The Gloria first entered the Mass as part of Christmas Masses around the 4th century. Then bishops, but only bishops, were allowed to use it at Mass. And, finally, around the turn of the 10th century, all priests were allowed to use the Gloria at Mass.

The Gloria is also called the greater Doxology of the Mass. Doxology means "words of praise." There are many examples of doxologies in the scriptures, including Mary's Magnificat. Today, they are often used to profess belief in the Trinity, as we can see in another familiar doxology, that of the Eucharist: "Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours almighty Father, forever and ever."

The second time we echo angels at Mass is early in the Eucharistic Prayer, when we pray, "Holy, holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might." This prayer, also called the Sanctus in Latin, has two parts. Both come from scripture. The second part is found in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, before his Passion and death: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." The first part comes from the songs of angels before God recorded in Isaiah (6:3), Daniel (7:10) and Revelation (4:11).

The Sanctus is also ancient in the tradition of the Mass. It is sometimes called the Tersanctus (thrice holy) and, in the Eastern Church, is known as the Hymn of Victory.

It is the bridge between the preface of the Eucharist and the Eucharistic prayer, both said by the priest. The Sanctus comes after the prayers of thanksgiving and, through it, all those gathered join the heavenly powers in singing praise (GIRM, n. 79).

The Catholic Encyclopedia finds evidence of the Sanctus as part of the Mass dating back to the writings of St. Clement of Rome in the early second century.

The Sanctus is sung. Over the years, that singing grew into elaborate compositions and the average congregation had no hope of singing its complex melodies. By the Middle Ages, the Sanctus had been entrusted to the choir, which continued singing, while the priest went on with the Eucharistic prayer to the consecration.

Matters became so complex that a sanctus bell was introduced so that people would realize that the consecration was near and pay attention at the Elevation of the Host.

This complexity, and the resulting distancing of people from the Eucharistic celebration , was a major concern for the bishops of Vatican II. They wrote in their first formal document - addressing many matters in the ritual of the Mass - that, "the Christian people, as far as is possible, should be able to understand (the texts and rites) with ease and take part in them fully, actively, and as a community" (CSL n. 21).

One of the resulting reforms of the Mass was to restore the Sanctus to the congregation. In this way, we all can join the angels in the main purpose of worship: giving thanks and praise to God: Father, Son and Spirit.