it at the end of prayers, often after we make the sign of the
cross and when we receive communion. In the Mass, there
The priest elevates the host and the chalice and says or sings,
“Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever
and ever.” And the congregation responds with the Great Amen.
Amen is one of just two Hebrew words that we still use in the
Mass. (The other is Alleluia.) The word has a number of different
meanings. Jesus often said, “Amen, amen, I say to you…” In this
case it means “truly.” When we receive the Body of Christ, we say
“Amen” to mean “I believe.” And in the Great Amen it takes on the
added meaning of “Yes!”
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The Great Amen
Catholics say the word “Amen” (or Ah-men) a lot. We say
is one Amen that we call the Great Amen. This is usually sung
together by the congregation at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer.
The ancient Jews used “Amen” when they swore an oath. It was
not to be used flippantly or taken lightly. And so it should be for
Catholics, as in the Great Amen we give it all its nuanced meanings.
“Yes! Truly, I believe!”
Notes