The Glory Be Prayer
The traditional Christian doxology praising the eternal Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Prayed throughout the Holy Rosary, the Divine Office, and daily Catholic devotion.
Glory Be to the Father
Traditional English Doxology
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.
›Pronunciation Guide (Phonetic)
GLOR-ee bee too the FAH-ther, and too the SUN, and too the HOH-lee SPEER-it,
as it wuz in the bih-GIN-ing, iz now, and EV-er SHAL bee,
wurld with-OUT end. AH-men.
Canonical English doxology prayer text used in liturgical and private devotion across the United States.
Listen & Follow
Pray Along with Spoken Audio
Listen to the quiet recitation of the Glory Be with real-time synchronized text highlighting.
The Glory Be Prayer (Spoken English)
What is the Glory Be?
The Glory Be to the Father (historically known in Latin as the Gloria Patri or the "Minor Doxology") is an ancient Christian prayer that gives pure glory and praise to the Holy Trinity. It affirms that the three divine Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—share one co-equal, uncreated majesty from the beginning of time through all eternity.
Unlike prayers where believers ask God for personal intentions or seek forgiveness, a doxology is an act of adoration directed to God simply for who He is. As defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2639), praise acknowledges God's glory beyond what He does for us.
When Do You Pray the Glory Be?
The doxology is woven naturally into both structured liturgical prayer and personal daily contemplation.
In the Holy Rosary
Recited after the three opening Hail Marys and at the conclusion of each of the five decades, sealing the meditation in the name of the Trinity.
Liturgy of the Hours
Chanted or recited at the close of every psalm and canticle during Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer across the universal Church.
Spontaneous Prayer
Prayed quietly upon waking, before making decisions, or in gratitude when experiencing divine blessings throughout the day.
What Do the Words Mean?
Explore our phrase-by-phrase theological exposition explaining the praise of the three divine Persons, the historical addition of "as it was in the beginning", and the eternal significance of "world without end."
The Latin Gloria Patri
Discover the ancient liturgical Latin wording, its place in Gregorian choral chant, and syllable-by-syllable ecclesiastical pronunciation guidance.
Common Inquiries
Questions About the Glory Be
Answers to frequent questions about praying the doxology.
What is the Glory Be prayer?
The Glory Be (historically termed the *Gloria Patri* or the "Minor Doxology") is an ancient Christian prayer of praise giving glory to the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It affirms God's eternal majesty across past, present, and all ages to come. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2628) defines praise as the form of prayer that recognizes most immediately that God is God, lauding Him for His own sake and giving Him glory simply because He is.
What does the Glory Be mean?
The word *doxology* comes from the Greek *doxa* (glory) and *logos* (word). When Christians pray the Glory Be, they praise God not out of need on His part, but to orient the human soul in adoration of the eternal, uncreated Trinity. The phrase "world without end" translates the Latin *in saécula saeculórum* — itself a translation of the Greek *eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn* — expressing the endless eternity of God's kingdom that has no termination.
What is the Glory Be prayer used for?
The Glory Be is used throughout Christian and Catholic life as an act of pure praise. It seals individual decades in the Holy Rosary, concludes each psalm and canticle in the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), and is prayed spontaneously as an act of thanksgiving, adoration, or before and after other personal devotions. It is also prayed at the conclusion of the *Regina Caeli* and other seasonal Marian antiphons.
When do you pray the Glory Be?
The Glory Be is prayed at the end of each decade of the Rosary, at the conclusion of psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer), during the Sign of the Cross in certain liturgical rites, and whenever a believer wishes to pause and give glory to God. Traditionally it is also prayed when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, at the end of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and whenever the name of Jesus is spoken in liturgy.
Continue Exploring
Theological Meaning of the Glory Be
Phrase-by-phrase reflection exploring the praise of the Holy Trinity and "world without end."
The Glory Be in the Holy Rosary
Discover how the doxology concludes each decade and unites all twenty mysteries.
Gloria Patri (The Latin Doxology)
The ancient Latin text, ecclesiastical pronunciation guide, and Gregorian chant heritage.
History & 4th-Century Origins
How the early Church developed the prayer at the Council of Nicaea to defend Christ’s divinity.
How to Pray the Glory Be
Practical, quiet step-by-step spiritual guide for daily and liturgical prayer.
Prayer Versions & Wording
Comparison between traditional English, contemporary liturgical (ICEL), and Latin versions.