Benedictus

The Benedictus was added to the Mass in the seventh century and follows straight on from the Sanctus, although, in the Roman church, until quite recently, it was separated from the Sanctus by the act of the consecration of the sacrament.  The words are from the Gospel of St Matthew (11:9) which are themselves from Psalm 118, v. 26.  In Renaissance masses the Benedictus is usually set for fewer voices than the other movements, and in later masses, for example Bach’s B Minor, and many of the masses of Mozart and Haydn, it was set for solo voice. 

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.   Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in Excelsis.   Glory be to Thee O Lord most high.

Agnus Dei

The Agnus Dei was introduced into the mass by Pope Sergius I (687-701). Originally it was added as a con fractorium, or a chant to be repeated many times during the preparation of the bread and wine, antiphonally between priest and people. From the twelfth century it was permitted to be said only three times, with ‘dona nobis pacem’ as the final petition – this phrase having the same number of syllables as ‘miserere nobis’. The text itself is from John (1:29) and the specific association of the sacrificial lamb with Christ in the context of the Eucharist was a practice which began in Syria and spread to the wider church. The direct address to Christ occurs only three times in the Ordinary: in the middle of the Kyrie, the Christological (second) section of the Gloria and here, throughout the Agnus Dei.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.   O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

  O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.   O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace

* English Translations from the Book of Common Prayer, 1549, Thomas Cranmer.