Hey Deacon!

Last week, I reflected on the Sanctus and how, in praying “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts,” the entire assembly joins its voice to the praise of heaven. But those familiar words raise an interesting question, especially when we pray the Sanctus aloud together:

Have you ever noticed that we do not always pause in the same place?

Some pray: Holy, Holy, Holy ... Lord God of hosts.
Others seem to pray: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ... God of hosts.
And still others continue: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts ...

Why the difference?

Part of the explanation may come from the English translation of the Mass that many Catholics prayed for decades: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, / God of power and might.” That wording naturally encouraged a pause after “Lord.” Even after the current English translation was introduced in 2011, many of us retained the rhythm and phrasing that had become familiar through years of prayer and singing. Musical settings can also influence where we naturally breathe or pause.

But the current wording gives us an opportunity to listen more closely to what we are actually proclaiming.

The Latin text reads: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. The current English text follows that sense: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.” “Lord God of hosts” is the One whom we are acclaiming as holy. This brings us back to something we touched upon last week. The Sanctus draws from Isaiah’s vision of heavenly worship, when the seraphim proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.”

We are not simply repeating the word “Holy” three times and then beginning a new thought. Rather, we are proclaiming that the Lord God of hosts is thrice holy.

Seen in this light, the words flow naturally: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.”

Does this mean that someone who pauses after the third “Holy,” after “Lord,” or somewhere else is praying the Sanctus improperly? No. Habit, breathing, musical settings, and years of praying familiar versions can all influence how we phrase the words.

The point is not to listen to the person beside us and determine whether he or she is pausing in the “right” place. Rather, noticing the difference gives us an opportunity to understand more deeply what we are saying together. And if you are ever in doubt, simply follow the lead of the priest. I’ve noticed Fr. J pauses after “Lord” while Fr. Johny and Fr. Dhaneesh both pause after the third “holy” as is their custom from India.

Last week, we affirmed that the Sanctus as an expression of our active participation in the Mass, joining our voices to the praise of heaven. Perhaps this small detail about where we pause can take us one step further.

The next time we pray or sing the Sanctus, listen again to the words: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.” We are joining the Church on earth with the worship of heaven, proclaiming together that the Lord God of hosts is thrice holy. The better we understand what we pray, the more intentionally we can pray it.