Sanctus

Sanctus is the Latin word for holy, and is the name of an important hymn of Christian liturgy.

In Western Christianity, following the model of the Roman Catholic Church, the Sanctus is sung (or said) at the heart of the eucharistic prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine. In this setting, the Sanctus immediately follows the preface of the eucharistic prayer. The preface, which alters according to the season, usually concludes with words describing the praise of the worshippers joining with the praise of the angels. The Latin text reads:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,

:"Holy, holy, holy,"

Dominus Deus Sabaoth;

:"Lord God of Hosts;"

pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.

:"Heaven and earth are full of your glory."

Osanna in excelsis.

:"Hosanna in the highest".

The text is taken from Isaiah 6:3, which describes the prophet Isaiah's vision of the throne of God surrounded by six-winged, ministering seraphim. This text also influenced Revelation 4:8.

Although, traditionally, the Sanctus is set to plainchant, many composers have set it to more complex music, and it is a mandatory part of any mass setting. In the eucharistic prayer, the Sanctus is usually followed immediately by the Benedictus.

The following Benedictus (from the Latin for blessed) is also usually sung. Its text is taken from Matthew 21.9

Benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini.

:"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Osanna in excelsis.

:"Hosanna in the highest".

Note that the Sanctus should not be confused with the Trisagion.

:Modern English Version

:Holy, holy, holy Lord,

:God of power and might,

:heaven and earth are full of your glory.

:Hosanna in the highest.

:Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

:Hosanna in the highest.

:Traditional English Version

:Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:

:Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

:Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.

:Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

:Hosanna in the highest.

External links

[Article at Catholic Encyclopedia]

Gregorian chants of the Roman Mass
Ordinary: Proper: Accentus:		Kyrie \| Gloria \| Credo \| Sanctus \| Agnus Dei \| Ite missa est or Benedicamus Domino Introit \| Gradual \| Alleluia or Tract \| Sequence \| Offertory \| Communion Collect \| Epistle \| Gospel \| Secret \| Preface \| Canon \| Postcommunion

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