Glory Be (Full 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.
What Is the Glory Be?
The Glory Be (also called the Doxology) is a short but powerful prayer that gives praise to the Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The word “doxology” comes from Greek roots meaning “words of glory,” and Catholics use this prayer to honor God’s eternal majesty, unity, and love.
Unlike some longer prayers that focus on a specific figure or event, the Glory Be is a universal expression of praise. It is often placed at the end of a cycle of prayers (like at the end of a decade in the Rosary) as a summary of praise, reminding us that all honor and glory belong to God — not just now, but forever.
This prayer echoes the praise offered by angels in Scripture (e.g., “Holy, holy, holy…” in Isaiah 6) and recalls our participation in the eternal worship of God. Though short, it packs a deep theological statement: God is unchanging, timeless, and worthy of praise for all ages.
Why Catholics Pray the Glory Be
The Glory Be plays several roles in Catholic prayer life:
1. Affirmation of the Trinity
In just one sentence, the prayer acknowledges:
- God the Father as Creator
- Jesus the Son as Redeemer
- The Holy Spirit as Sanctifier
2. End of a Prayer Set
When prayed in the Rosary, the Glory Be follows the ten Hail Marys of each decade. It caps the decade with praise and brings the focus back to God.
3. Short and Memorable
Because it’s brief and rhythmic, it is easy to remember and pray frequently — even during busy moments.
4. Anchors Meditation
As part of the Rosary or any prayer sequence, the Glory Be helps shift the focus from petition back to praise, reminding us of the ultimate purpose of prayer: union with God.
How to Pray the Glory Be Reflectively
While it’s a short prayer, its depth becomes clearer when you pray slowly and intentionally:
- “Glory be to the Father…” — Acknowledge the source of all life and goodness
- “…and to the Son…” — Recognize Christ as our Savior
- “…and to the Holy Spirit…” — Honor the presence of God in our hearts
- “…as it was in the beginning…” — Affirm God’s eternal nature
- “…is now and ever shall be…” — Praise God in the present moment and forever
- “…world without end.” — Echo the timeless nature of divine glory
Reflect on each phrase as an act of praise, not just repetition.
The Glory Be is a short but powerful prayer of praise that honors the Holy Trinity. Below is a traditional Catholic recitation of the Glory Be prayer that you can pray along with as part of your reflection or devotional time.
