Glory Be

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.

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The “Glory Be” Prayer: A Hymn of Eternal Praise to the Trinity

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The "Glory Be"—also known as the Doxology—is one of the shortest yet most profound prayers in the Christian tradition. Despite its brevity, it captures the heart of Christian worship: the glorification of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Often prayed at the end of Psalms, decades of the Rosary, and during the Liturgy of the Hours, the Glory Be serves as both a conclusion and a climax: a solemn declaration of God’s eternal majesty and unchanging nature.

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“Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit...”

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This opening line offers praise to the Trinity, the central mystery of the Christian faith. The word “glory” (Latin: gloria, Greek: doxa) means honor, splendor, and divine majesty. To give glory is to acknowledge God’s infinite greatness and holiness. In this single sentence, we affirm that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are equally worthy of all worship, each fully God, yet distinct in personhood.

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This formula reflects the early Church’s response to heresies that denied either the divinity of Christ or the personhood of the Holy Spirit. By proclaiming equal glory to each member of the Trinity, the Glory Be is a creedal prayer, reinforcing the truth that God is one in essence and three in persons—a truth revealed in Scripture and defended throughout the Church’s history.

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“As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be...”

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This second line moves from praise to eternity. It affirms that the Trinity is not a temporary manifestation of God, nor a construct of human understanding, but an eternal reality. The Father, Son, and Spirit have existed from before time began and will remain forever. This line echoes the language of the Psalms—particularly Psalm 90:2, “From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”

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It also reflects God’s immutability—the truth that God does not change. In a world of flux and uncertainty, this line gives comfort: the same God who was present at creation, who spoke to the prophets, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ, and who sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, is the same God who is with us today—and will be with us for all eternity.

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“World without end.”

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This poetic expression, translated from the Latin phrase “in saecula saeculorum” (literally “unto the ages of ages”), affirms the eternal reign of God. It is not merely about time continuing—it is a proclamation that God’s glory will never cease. In the Book of Revelation, we see heavenly beings worshiping God forever, crying out “Holy, holy, holy” without end. The Glory Be allows us to join that eternal chorus, giving God praise not just in our moment, but in union with heaven itself.

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“Amen.”

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This final word seals the prayer with assent and faith. “Amen” means “so be it,” or “truly.” It is both a personal affirmation of what has just been prayed, and an offering of trust. When we say “Amen” at the end of the Glory Be, we are saying with our hearts what the words have declared with our lips: God is glorious, God is eternal, and God is worthy of all praise forever.

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The Role of the Glory Be in the Life of Prayer

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The Glory Be is used throughout Catholic devotion: it ends every decade of the Rosary, punctuates the Psalms in the Divine Office, and appears in various forms of private and liturgical prayer. Its placement as a concluding prayer is not accidental. After meditating on Scripture, offering petitions, or reciting devotions, the Glory Be reminds us of the ultimate goal of all prayer: not just to ask, but to adore, to give glory to the God who is Father, Son, and Spirit.

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It is a perfect prayer of praise: selfless, timeless, and focused entirely on God. It requires no specific need or intention—only love, reverence, and awe.

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Conclusion

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The Glory Be is a spiritual gem—brief yet beautiful, simple yet infinite in meaning. In just a few lines, it calls us to contemplate the mystery of the Trinity, the eternity of God, and the unending praise due to Him. It is a reminder that all our prayers, all our works, and all our lives are meant to glorify God.

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Each time we pray it, whether alone or in a community, we echo the song of the angels and saints, lifting our hearts in unity with the eternal hymn of heaven:

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“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…”

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Forever and ever. Amen.

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See The Rosary or O My Jesus