The next step in our tour of the Mass is to look at the Gloria. As we are all aware, we do not sing the Gloria during Lent or Advent. Not using it is part of our observances of those seasons and its use at Easter and Christmas highlights the significance and the joyfulness of those great feasts, which Lent and Advent lead us to. We use it on Sundays of Ordinary Time, since every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection.
It is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving which ought to be a prayer of the whole gathered community. It anticipates the praise and thanksgiving of the Eucharistic Prayers.
The Gloria is part of the treasury of Christian hymns inherited from the past and still part of our repertoire today.
Its origins lie in the Eastern churches in which it was used as a hymn to greet the dawn on Easter morning. It came from the Eastern churches to the churches of Gaul (more or less present-day France and Germany) whose liturgy was different from and independent of that of Rome.
It found its way into the Roman liturgy, which we have inherited, by the 500’s. At first it was used only when the bishop celebrated the Eucharist on Sundays and on martyr’s feasts. It came to be used by priests when they celebrated Mass but only at the Easter Vigil.
It was not until the eleventh century that it was used at all Masses on Sundays and feasts.
Its entry into the Roman liturgy is an interesting example of how the liturgy develops, often, as in this case, by borrowing from other liturgical traditions.
The Gloria is part of the prayer of the people – as is the whole liturgy. Therefore, it ought to be participated in by all the people. Over the last few decades, there have opened up various ways of participating in it.
It is worth spending time meditating on this ancient and beautiful prayer which strongly expresses our faith in Jesus Christ who brings us to the Father.
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