Agnus Dei: Full Text of the Lamb of God Prayer at Mass
At every Catholic Mass, the congregation kneels and sings or speaks the Agnus Dei — Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. It is the Church's cry for mercy moments before Holy Communion.
Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us") is sung at Mass before Communion — three invocations, the third often "grant us peace." John the Baptist's words (John 1:29) identify Christ as sacrificial Lamb.
Agnus Dei (English — Roman Missal)
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Agnus Dei (Latin)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
The Agnus Dei echoes John the Baptist pointing to Jesus (John 1:29). At Mass it prepares the faithful to receive the Lamb who was slain — now present in the Eucharist — and to ask for mercy and peace.
Where It Fits in the Mass
The Agnus Dei follows the Lord's Prayer and the Sign of Peace, during the fraction rite when the priest breaks the consecrated Host. The third invocation may be repeated until the distribution of Communion is complete in some celebrations.