LATIN PRAYER GLOSSARY

Sign of the Cross

The gesture and prayer that opens nearly every Catholic devotion. The words In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti accompany the sign made from forehead to chest and shoulder to shoulder.

Our Father

The prayer Jesus taught his disciples, prayed at the start of each decade of the Rosary. One of the first prayers most people learn in Latin.

Hail Mary

The most frequently recited Marian prayer, repeated ten times per decade of the Rosary. The opening words echo the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary at the Annunciation.

Glory Be to the Father

A short doxology prayed at the end of each decade of the Rosary and throughout the Liturgy of the Hours. Also called the "Lesser Doxology" to distinguish it from the Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

Hail, Holy Queen

One of the four seasonal Marian antiphons, traditionally prayed at the end of the Rosary. A beloved prayer of petition asking Mary's intercession.

The Rosary

From the Latin for "rose garden." The Rosary consists of four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous, each with five decades of prayer and meditation.

The Angel

A devotion commemorating the Incarnation, traditionally prayed three times daily at the ringing of church bells: morning, noon, and evening. During Easter season it is replaced by the Regina Caeli.

Queen of Heaven

A Marian antiphon prayed during the Easter season in place of the Angelus. It celebrates the Resurrection and Mary's joy at her Son's triumph over death.

My soul magnifies

Mary's canticle of praise from the Gospel of Luke, spoken when she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Prayed daily at Vespers in the Liturgy of the Hours.

Under Your Protection

The oldest known Marian prayer, dating to at least the third century. A brief prayer asking Mary's protection and intercession.

Remember

A prayer of confident petition to the Blessed Virgin Mary, traditionally attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. It begins with the plea "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary..."

Holy Mary

The most basic Marian invocation. Appears in the Hail Mary, the Litany of Loreto, and countless other prayers.

Mother of God

Mary's most important theological title, formally defined at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. In Greek: Theotokos.

Holy Mother of God

An expanded form of Mater Dei used in the Litany of Loreto. Genetrix ("she who has borne") emphasizes Mary's physical motherhood of Christ.

Virgin of Virgins

A title from the Litany of Loreto honoring Mary's perpetual virginity, a doctrine affirming that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ.

Morning Star

A poetic title from the Litany of Loreto. As the morning star heralds the dawn, Mary heralded the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.

Mystical Rose

A Litany title reflecting Mary's beauty and perfection. The rose, beautiful, fragrant, and bearing thorns, symbolizes the union of joy and sorrow in her life.

Seat of Wisdom

Mary bore Christ, the Wisdom of God, in her womb and on her lap. This title from the Litany of Loreto is also the patronal title of many Catholic universities.

Tower of David

A Litany title drawn from the Song of Songs. The tower symbolizes strength, protection, and Mary's role in the royal lineage of David.

House of Gold

Mary is the living dwelling place of God, the tabernacle that held the presence of Christ. Gold signifies the purity and preciousness of that dwelling.

Ark of the Covenant

As the Old Testament ark held the tablets of the Law, the manna, and Aaron's rod, Mary carried within her the new covenant, Christ himself.

Gate of Heaven

Mary as the gateway through which Christ entered the world, and through whose intercession the faithful hope to enter heaven.

Refuge of Sinners

One of the most consoling Marian titles. Catholics turn to Mary's intercession with confidence that no sinner is turned away.

Comforter of the Afflicted

Mary, who stood at the foot of the Cross, understands suffering and is invoked as a source of comfort in times of trial.

Help of Christians

A title popularized after the Christian victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, which was attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Rosary.

Let us pray

An invitation to prayer used by the priest or prayer leader before a collect or closing prayer. You will hear it throughout the Mass and the Divine Office.

So be it / Truly

A Hebrew word adopted into Latin unchanged. Spoken at the end of prayers to express assent and affirmation. In liturgical Latin it is always pronounced with a short 'a,' never as "AY-men."

Praise the Lord

From the Hebrew Hallelujah. Used as an acclamation of joy, especially during Easter season. It is omitted during Lent as a sign of penance.

Pray for us

The most common response in litanies. After each invocation of a saint or title of Mary, the faithful respond with this petition for intercession.

Have mercy on us

A response used in the Litany of Loreto and other prayers when addressing the Holy Trinity. Also the opening of Psalm 51, the great penitential psalm.

Lord, have mercy

One of the few Greek phrases retained in the Latin liturgy, reflecting the ancient roots of Christian worship. Prayed at the beginning of Mass and in litanies.

The Lord be with you

A greeting used by the priest throughout the liturgy, echoing the angel's words to Gideon and to Mary. The response is Et cum spiritu tuo.

And with your spirit

The congregation's response to Dominus vobiscum. This translation was restored in the 2011 English Missal to more closely reflect the Latin original.

Thanks be to God

Spoken at the end of the Mass (after Ite, missa est) and after Scripture readings. Also used in everyday speech by religious communities as a general expression of gratitude.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

The Trinitarian formula that accompanies the Sign of the Cross. It opens and closes most Catholic prayers and liturgical rites.

Through Christ our Lord

The standard conclusion to liturgical prayers, affirming that all prayer passes through the mediation of Christ.

God

The most fundamental theological word in Latin prayer. Appears in almost every prayer on this site.

Lord

Used for both God the Father and Christ. Appears in the Angelus (Angelus Domini), the Rosary, litanies, and the Mass.

Christ / The Anointed One

From the Greek Christos, translating the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah). Appears in Mater Christi, Per Christum Dominum nostrum, and the Creed.

Holy Spirit

The third Person of the Trinity. Appears in the Sign of the Cross, the Gloria Patri, the Creed, and the Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Grace

Central to the Ave Maria: gratia plena means "full of grace." In theology, grace is God's free and unmerited gift to humanity.

Sin

Appears in the Ave Maria (ora pro nobis peccatoribus, pray for us sinners) and the Agnus Dei (qui tollis peccata mundi, who takes away the sins of the world). The plural is peccata.

Mercy

From miser (wretched) and cor (heart), literally, a heart moved by the wretchedness of others. Central to prayers of petition and penitence.

Heaven

Appears in Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven), Ianua Caeli (Gate of Heaven), the Pater Noster (qui es in caelis, who art in heaven), and many other prayers. The genitive form caeli means "of heaven."

Blessed (masculine / feminine)

Benedictus is used of Christ and male saints; benedicta of Mary and female saints. In the Ave Maria: benedicta tu in mulieribus, blessed art thou among women.

Holy (masculine / feminine)

Precedes the names of saints (Sanctus Joseph, Sancta Maria) and appears in the Sanctus hymn of the Mass: "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth."

Word

In the Angelus: Et Verbum caro factum est, and the Word was made flesh. Refers to Christ as the eternal Word of God (Logos) from the Gospel of John.

Let it be done

Mary's response to the angel Gabriel: Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum, let it be done to me according to your word. One of the most important words in Marian theology, expressing total trust in God's will.

Always / Ever

Appears in the Gloria Patri: sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.

Life

Appears in the Salve Regina, where Mary is called vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.