Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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GLORIA PATRI

The lesser doxology, probably an early adaptation of the Jewish blessings addressed to God, as already found in the New Testament (Romans 16:27; Philippians 4:20; Revelation 5:23). Its present form was influenced by the Trinitarian formula of baptism (Matthew 28:19). The English Puritans forbade its use as unscriptural. The Latin text reads: "Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum," and in English: "Glory (be) to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."