About the Latin Mass: Ecce Agnus Dei

Christ, Agnus Dei meaning “Lamb of God”, the eternal and living sacrifice, is elevated by the priest during the Ecce Agnus Dei and is presented before us, in preparation for communion. There is an interesting difference in the phrasing used at this point during the Latin Mass and the English Mass.

The Latin Mass phrasing, “Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit pecatta mundi,” or “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” was said by John the Baptist upon first seeing Christ in St. John’s gospel. To behold something is to recognize its beauty, and to acknowledge that something special is happening. A related word, “beholden”, includes an element of owing thanks.

The English Mass phrasing, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” is certainly a statement of fact, but may not fully express the thankfulness we have in our hearts at that moment for Who we are witnessing, and will receive, and may not fully recognize the phrase’s biblical roots.

I once heard an English Mass priest use the phrase, “Behold the Lamb of God,” instead of, “This is the Lamb of God,” and looking back at attending English Mass, it is one of the few examples where I am thankful for the change of phrasing by the priest.

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