Glory Be
The Glory Be is a short prayer of praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Rosary, it follows the three introductory Hail Marys and closes each decade. Many Catholics then add the optional Fatima Prayer.
On this page
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Listen to the Glory Be
In Latin
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,
et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
Praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Glory Be is a doxology: a short prayer that gives glory to God. It names the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, gathering our prayer into praise of the Trinity. We begin the Rosary in this same name with the Sign of the Cross. The prayer is repeated at the close of each decade.
The second sentence places this praise within God's eternity. “World without end” is an older English way of expressing unending ages. It does not claim that the world in its present condition will never change. The Latin in sæcula sæculórum expresses praise for ever and ever. The traditional English wording follows the same declaration of praise as the Latin.
At the end of each decade
Pray the Glory Be after the three introductory Hail Marys and after the ten Hail Marys of every decade. It is commonly prayed on the chain or space before the next large bead. The exact spacing of Rosary beads varies; the sequence of the prayers is what matters.
Saint John Paul II reflects on the doxology as the culmination of a decade in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, §34. After contemplating Christ with Mary, we give praise to the Trinity. Allow a brief pause before moving to the next mystery. In a group, it also gives the leader time to announce the next mystery before the Our Father begins.
Many communities add the Fatima Prayer after the Glory Be. That addition is optional. The recording contains only the Glory Be.
English versions and shared prayer
Some English prayer books use “Glory to the Father” or “for ever and ever,” while others use the older wording shown here. “Holy Ghost” is another traditional English name for the Holy Spirit. These differences do not change whom we praise. Follow the words used by your family or parish when praying together.