About the Latin Mass: The Pax Domini

There are arguably many moments where calmness and inner peace are experienced during the Latin Mass. Experiences may vary, but unquestionably, one such moment occurs during the Pax Domini, the Lord’s Peace. The priest raises the Host to chest-level before him, and over the Chalice forms with the Host three consecutive signs of the cross, while saying, “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum”, that is, “The peace of the Lord be always with thee.” We respond, “Et cum spiritu tuo”, or, “And with thy spirit.” The Pax Domini and response are sung during a Missa Cantata.

This solemn and humble rubric shows us that God is present before us, and that we are receiving Christ’s peace. This, as we know as Catholics, is an inner peace we receive that the world cannot give us. The gesture also reminds us of the Minor Elevation, “Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso”, or “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him,” the words given to us by St. Paul and St. John, for which the sign of the cross is made thrice with the Host at the Latin Mass, and also our baptism, when the sign of the cross is imparted onto our foreheads thrice in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The conveyance of the Pax Domini is one of the biggest differences you’ll find between English and Latin Mass.

In the English Mass, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” is said with the Host and the Chalice on the altar, which emphasizes the imparted peace verbally, followed by us offering each other a sign of Christ’s peace, providing us a means to be Christ-like in our actions towards others.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.