Catholic Kind: Catholic Music & Culture Resource

The Sanctus is one of the great moments of praise in the Mass. It is a short prayer, but it has an unusual force because it brings together the language of heaven and the welcome given to Christ, found in Scripture.

It is not a private prayer, but a public, shared, corporate acclamation sung together with the angels and the saints.

Listen to the chant here:

(This is my version of the Gregorian chant Ave Maria, and you can find my free full Gregorian chant album with PDF guide at the end of this article.)

Latin Text

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.

English Translation

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts.

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.

What “Sanctus” Means

Sanctus means “holy.” The chant begins by repeating the word three times: Holy, Holy, Holy. This language is familiar because it comes from Scripture, especially the vision of heavenly worship in Isaiah, as well as in the book of Revelation.

The phrase “Lord God of hosts” points in an exclamatory way to God’s majesty and power.

This is not vague praise, but rather praise directed toward the God whose glory fills heaven and earth, and Who is deserving of an absolute outpouring from His creatures in gratitude and recognition of His eternal beauty.

Where the Sanctus Appears in the Mass

The Sanctus is sung just before the Eucharistic Prayer, giving it a very specific place in the Liturgy. It stands at the threshold of the most solemn part of the Mass.

The congregation has, by the time the prayer is spoken or sun, heard the readings. The gifts for the altar which will become the Body and Blood of Christ have been prepared. Now, the whole Church, in union with Heaven, joins in praise before the prayer of consecration begins.

That placement gives the chant its significant weight. It is not just beautiful text, but intentionally belongs to a particularly sacred moment and calls us to enter in.

Why “Holy” Is Repeated Three Times

The triple repetition is one of the reasons the Sanctus is so memorable, and it expresses something critical for the faithful. What is repeated is essentially underlined, commanding our attention; this was common throughout history and especially in biblical history, and we still see this kind of use today, although we are more likely to emphasize things in different ways. It is simple enough for anyone to follow, but it also carries a sense of fullness. One “holy” is not sufficient to express the importance and unmatched reality that is the divine holiness of God.

The repetition gives the prayer even more serious weight.

The Jubilate Deo Setting

The Jubilate Deo version, recommended often by the Vatican, is plain and singable, which is part of its usefulness. It lets the text remain central and the faithtful to enter into the melody, which supports the words rather than turning the chant into a performance. It enables the simple, prayerful engagement of the heart, mind, body, and spirit.

That is exactly what sacred music does best. It does not replace the prayer but elevates it carries it even deeper into the center of our being.

For listeners encountering the Latin Sanctus for the first time, the main thing to remember is simple: this is the Mass pausing in praise before the Eucharistic Prayer begins, connecting us to the many who have prayed with us before, as well as the inspired Word of God and its depth of meaning.