Glory Be to the Father Prayer
The words of the Glory Be prayer are: "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." At Find A Prayer, we gather these prayers so you have words ready for daily devotion. Catholics know this prayer as the Gloria Patri or the Lesser Doxology.
It gives direct honor to the Holy Trinity. Catholics recite the Glory Be throughout daily devotional life. It concludes every decade of the Holy Rosary.
It also follows each psalm in the Liturgy of the Hours. When speaking these words, faithful Catholics often bow their heads slightly. Many make the Sign of the Cross over their bodies as a physical sign of reverence.
The Glory Be differs from the Gloria in excelsis Deo sung at Sunday Mass. The Mass hymn is called the Greater Doxology. The Glory Be is known as the Lesser Doxology.
The Traditional Glory Be Prayer
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.
The Gloria Patri in Latin
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
A Phrase-by-Phrase Prayer on the Glory Be
Eternal Father, Creator of heaven and earth, we give You glory for Your unending wisdom and care. You spoke light into existence. You sustain every living breath. Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, we give You glory for taking on our human flesh. You walked among us in humility. You redeemed the world through Your holy cross and glorious resurrection. Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life, we give You glory for sanctifying our souls. You dwell in our hearts. You grant us the courage to pray. As it was in the beginning, before the stars were placed in the heavens, You reigned in complete majesty and holiness. You reign right now over our quiet rooms, our daily labor, and every burden we carry. You shall reign ever into eternity, far beyond our mortal sight. Receive this praise from our lips today. Teach us to revere Your triune name with every step we take. World without end. Amen.
A Glory Be Prayer of Praise on a Hard Day
Holy Trinity, one God in three divine persons, we come before You with weary minds today. Our strength falters. The worries of this hour feel heavy on our shoulders. Yet we remember that Your majesty remains unchanged by our distress. We give glory to You, Father, for holding our lives in Your hands. We give glory to You, Lord Jesus, for walking the road of human sorrow. You understand our pain. You offer us peace that the world cannot give. We give glory to You, Holy Spirit, for comforting our restless thoughts. Our trials belong to this passing moment, but Your reign lasts through every age. As praise rose to You in the beginning, let praise rise from our lips right now in the middle of our struggle. Keep our faith steadfast until we rest in Your eternal presence. Amen.
A Family Prayer of Thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity
Almighty and eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we gather as a family to offer You our gratitude. You gave us life. You provided our daily bread and sheltered us through every season. We give glory to the Father who watches over our household with tender mercy. We give glory to the Son who teaches us patience and calls us to love our neighbors. We give glory to the Holy Spirit who guides our decisions and restores peace when we disagree. Guard our home from bitterness, pride, and fear. Bless our children with wisdom and care for our elders' health. As faithful generations praised Your name since the world began, preserve that same devotion within our home today. May our family honor You in all we do, world without end. Amen.
A Rosary Decade Prayer of Surrender
Lord Jesus Christ, as we bring this decade of the Rosary to its close, we offer our hearts into the hands of the Holy Trinity. We have meditated on the mysteries of Your life, death, and triumph alongside Your Blessed Mother. Now we give glory to the Father who sent You into the world for our salvation. We give glory to You, divine Savior, for Your cross and mercy. We give glory to the Holy Spirit who breathes life into the Church. Take the intentions we carry in secret and align them with Your sovereign will. Where our families face conflict, grant reconciliation. Where our hearts hold resentment, grant forgiveness. Let the words of this doxology echo in our actions long after the beads leave our hands. 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.
A One-Line Catholic Prayer to the Holy Trinity
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and unto all ages. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost— Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.— Romans 11:36 (KJV)
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.— 1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
What are the words of the Glory Be prayer?
The standard English words of the Glory Be are: '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.' Catholics recite this prayer from memory in daily personal devotions, family settings, and parish liturgies.
What is the Gloria Patri?
The Gloria Patri is the Latin name for the Glory Be prayer, taken directly from its opening words. In Latin, the text reads: 'Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.'
What does world without end mean?
The phrase 'world without end' translates the Latin expression 'in saecula saeculorum,' which means into the ages of ages. It declares Christian faith in God's eternity and the everlasting life promised to believers.
When is the Glory Be prayed in the Rosary?
Catholics pray the Glory Be at the end of each decade of the Rosary. The person recites the Glory Be to crown that decade with praise to the Trinity.
What is the difference between the Glory Be and the Gloria at Mass?
The Glory Be is the Lesser Doxology, while the Gloria sung at Sunday Mass is the Greater Doxology. The Greater Doxology begins with the Latin words 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' or 'Glory to God in the highest' and forms a longer celebratory hymn. The Glory Be provides a short, focused act of praise addressed to the Trinity.
Is the Glory Be in the Bible?
The exact sentence does not appear as a single verse in Scripture. Matthew 28:19 names the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and Romans 11:36 and 1 Timothy 1:17 give glory to God forever.
Why do Catholics bow their heads during the Glory Be?
Catholics often bow their heads or make the Sign of the Cross during the Glory Be as a physical sign of reverence for the Holy Trinity. Lowering the head or tracing the cross across the chest at the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit expresses humility before the divine presence.
Do Protestants pray the Glory Be?
Some Protestant churches also pray or sing the Glory Be. Practice varies from church to church.