The Order of Mass

Sanctus

The song of the angels in Isaiah 6, at the heart of the Mass

LatinEnglish

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.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

SourceThe Order of Mass · The song of the angels in Isaiah 6, at the heart of the Mass

The history of this prayer

The Sanctus joins two passages of Scripture. The first part is the song of the seraphim Isaiah heard in the Temple: “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). The second, the “Blessed is he who comes”, is the crowd's acclamation of Jesus entering Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:26).

It is sung at the end of the Preface, when the Church on earth joins the angels of heaven, just before the Consecration. It is among the most ancient parts of the Mass, already attested in fourth-century liturgies.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Sabaoth” mean?

It is a Hebrew word meaning “of hosts”. “Lord God Sabaoth” is the Lord of the heavenly hosts.

What does “Hosanna” mean?

In Hebrew, “save, we pray”; in time it became a cry of praise and acclamation.

When is the Sanctus sung?

At the end of the Preface, at the start of the Eucharistic Prayer, before the Consecration.

More prayers: At Mass, in Latin

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