Lamb of God in Latin?
During Lent, we’ll be singing the “Lamb of God” in Latin and the “Lord Have Mercy” in Greek. Lamb of God in Latin is Agnus Dei. Lord have mercy in Greek is Kyrie Eleison.
Why the change? The intent of the change is to make the season of Lent more solemn. By making these slight changes it makes us realize that something is different. We are participating in a different, more penitential, season in the Church.
Latin is the universal language of the Church and of the Liturgy (the Mass). Using some Latin can help us remember that we are part of something much bigger than just Guardian Angels Catholic Church. We are part of the universal church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Latin Rite. At every Mass we participate in the celebration of the heavenly liturgy. We are joining with all our Catholic sisters and brothers on earth and everyone in heaven to praise and worship God.
“But didn’t the Second Vatican Council change all that Latin stuff?” Well, no. The Council permitted the Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular (the language of the people) but it maintained that the use of Latin was to be preserved and the people should know key parts of the Mass in Latin.
Below is a phonetic pronunciation of the Kyrie and Agnus Dei.
Lord have Mercy – Kyrie
Greek Pronunciation
|
Greek |
Pronunciation Respelling |
Phonetic Pronunciation |
|
Kyrie |
Kee-ree-eh |
Kē-rē-ā |
|
Eleison |
Eh-lay-ee-sohn |
ā-lā-ē-sän |
|
Christe |
Kree-stay |
Krē-stā |
Lamb of God – Agnus Dei
Latin Pronunciation
Deacon Michael Braun