also known as Lamb of God, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
The Agnus Dei is the litany the Church sings at the fraction — the breaking of the consecrated Host — as she prepares to receive Holy Communion. Its words echo St. John the Baptist, who pointed to Christ and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). Twice the faithful beg for mercy, and the third time for peace.
When prayed: Sung or said at every Mass during the breaking of the Host, immediately before the priest's invitation 'Ecce Agnus Dei' and the reception of Communion.
The Latin text of the Agnus Dei alongside its English translation, line by line.
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. | Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. | Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. | Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace. |
Word-by-word definitions and example uses. Tap any word to learn its meaning, then return to the prayer with new ears.
Definition: Lamb
Agnus in agro pascitur. (The lamb grazes in the field.)
Definition: of God
Templum Dei est sacrum. (The temple of God is sacred.)
Definition: who
Puella est quae ridet. (The girl is the one who laughs.)
Definition: you take away
Tu tollis mensam. (You take away the table.)
Definition: sins
Peccata hominum ignoscuntur. (The sins of men are forgiven.)
Definition: of the world
Flora mundi est divitia. (The flora of the world is rich.)
Definition: have mercy
Precor ut miserere mei. (I pray that you have mercy on me.)
Definition: us
Da nobis panem. (Give us bread.)
Definition: grant
Dona nobis pacem tecum. (Grant us peace with you.)
Definition: peace
Pacem in terra cupimus. (We desire peace on earth.)
The Agnus Dei — 'Lamb of God' — is the litany sung at Mass during the breaking of the consecrated Host, just before Holy Communion. It addresses Christ under the title St. John the Baptist gave Him, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and pleads twice 'have mercy on us' and once 'grant us peace.'
The title recalls the Passover lamb whose blood spared Israel, and the lamb 'led to the slaughter' of Isaiah's prophecy. St. John the Baptist applied it to Jesus at the Jordan: 'Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.' Christ is the true Lamb, who by His sacrifice on the Cross takes away the sins of the world — which is why the Church sings this prayer precisely as His Body is broken for us in the Eucharist.
It is sung during the 'fraction rite' — the breaking of the Host — which follows the Sign of Peace and precedes Holy Communion. The breaking of the one Bread, shared among many, is itself a sign of our unity in the one Body of Christ, and the Agnus Dei accompanies this action.
The Agnus Dei is sung three times: twice ending 'miserere nobis' (have mercy on us) and a third time 'dona nobis pacem' (grant us peace). The repetition is the form of a litany, a persistent cry for mercy; the closing petition for peace prepares us to receive the Prince of Peace in Communion.
The prayer Christ Himself taught — the heart of every Christian's life of prayer.
The greeting of the Archangel Gabriel, joined to the Church's own petition.
The Church's ancient doxology: glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Church's evening hymn to Mary, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
St. Bernard's confident plea to the Mother of God.
Three times a day the Church remembers the Word made flesh.
Credo teaches you to read the Agnus Dei (and every other Catholic prayer) in Latin the way the saints did — through the words themselves, not grammar drills.
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