The Gloria is one of the Church’s most solemn, ancient hymns. The first part of the hymn is the familiar words of the angels at the occasion of Jesus’ birth. As with many prayers in the Christian tradition, other elements were soon added to the earliest form of the prayer, and we have the prayer as it stands today. The earliest text of the complete Gloria can be found in an Eastern Christian document dating to the fourth century that places the Gloria in daily morning prayer.

In the Roman Church, the history of how the Gloria came to be placed at the beginning of Mass is interesting. It was first used on Christmas Day during Mass celebrated by the pope. Later, the pope extended its use to Sundays and feast days of martyrs but only at Masses where a bishop presided. By the 12th century, though, it was custom to hear it at Masses celebrated by priests as well. Today, we hear the Gloria on Sundays and solemnities.

It is, by nature, a very festive hymn – one of praise and glory to God – and should always be sung when possible. Because of the festive nature of the hymn, it is omitted in Lent. In the 12th century, Advent also became known as a penitential season, and the Gloria was omitted during that season as well. To this day, the Gloria is omitted on the Sundays of Lent and Advent due to those seasons’ penitential nature.

– Josh Perry is director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Burlington.