You have probably (hopefully!) echoed back “Kyrie eleison” after the cantor intones (sings) it, or you’ve joined in chanting “Agnus dei…” after offering one another peace, but do you know what these words mean? One of these mass parts is Greek and the other is Latin. Quiz yourself to see if you know which one before continuing!

During Lent, instead of the joyful, praise-filled Gloria, we sing the Penitential Act, in which we plead, “Kyrie, eleison, Christe, eleison, Kyrie eleison.” This is Greek for “Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.” Why Greek when Latin (usually translated into the vernacular) is the official language of the Roman Catholic Rite? Theologians believe it was to maintain the original meaning of the prayer. “Mercy” as connoted by the Greek word “eleos” has the same root as “oil,” a substance that was used for soothing and healing. The book Orthodox Worship says this: 

“The Greek words for ‘Lord, have mercy,’ are ‘Kyrie, eleison’ that is to say, ‘Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.’ Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal - a very Western interpretation - but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children!”

    To help further bring out the tone of Lent, we chant “Agnus Dei,” which means “Lamb of God” in Latin. The Agnus Dei was introduced to the mass by Pope St. Sergius I (687-701) during a time when some in the Church condemned Christ’s depiction as a lamb. The English translation for this chant is as follows:

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

    Now that you know a little more about these two mass parts, we hope you feel empowered to sing and acclaim them with heartfelt fervor as we worship together during the mass each week!

https://aleteia.org/2017/09/22/why-do-we-sometimes-use-the-greek-words-kyrie-eleison-during-mass/

https://www.goarch.org/-/kyrie-eleison-lord-have-mercy

https://www.catholic365.com/article/10150/pope-st-sergius-i-creator-of-agnus-dei.html