GLORY

Glory to God
Image of Angels surrounding God’s throne, singing “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” representing pure praise and worship

By Edward Matulanya 

Here are Meaning, Biblical foundation, history, types, theology, aspects and significance of Glory According to the Roman Catholic Church.

 1. Meaning of Glory

In Roman Catholic theology, glory (Latin: gloria) refers to the visible or spiritual manifestation of God’s divine majesty, holiness, and perfection, and to humanity’s participation in that divine life (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994, §293). It can describe both God’s own glory, the radiance of His being and the glory bestowed upon creation as a share in His perfection.

The term originates from the Latin gloria, meaning “fame” or “splendor,” and the Hebrew kavod (כָּבוֹד), which literally means “weight” or “importance,” referring to the awe-inspiring presence of God (Brown, 1968).

For instance Psalm (19:1) declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” expressing how creation reflects divine majesty. Similarly, John (1:14) proclaims that “the Word became flesh… and we have seen His glory,” indicating that God’s glory was made visible in Christ.

 2. Biblical Foundations of Glory

Old Testament

God’s glory often signifies His manifest presence among His people. In Exodus (24:16–17), the glory of the Lord covers Mount Sinai like a consuming fire, and in Exodus (40:34–35), it fills the Tabernacle. The concept of Shekinah the dwelling presence of God developed in later Jewish thought as a visible sign of divine glory (Ferguson, 2018).

New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the revelation of God’s glory. As John (1:14) states, His incarnation makes divine glory visible. Jesus prays in John (17:5), “Father, glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world began,” linking His mission to the eternal glory of the Father. The Resurrection and Ascension are understood as the supreme expressions of this glory (Philippians 2:9–11).

Believers are also called to share in that glory; “We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).

 3. Theological Understanding of Glory

A. God’s Glory (Objective)

The Church teaches that God’s glory is the infinite perfection of His own being, the ultimate reason for all creation. The Catechism affirms, “The world was made for the glory of God” (CCC, 1994, §293). God’s glory is not increased by creation but manifested and shared with it.

B. Glory in the Saints (Subjective)

The saints’ glory is their participation in divine life. In heaven, the blessed share in God’s glory through the Beatific Vision seeing God face to face (CCC, 1994, §1028). The Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1–8) is viewed as a foretaste of this glorification.

C. Liturgical Glory

Catholic worship continually gives glory to God. The Gloria in excelsis Deo, sung during Mass, echoes the angels’ hymn at Christ’s birth (Luke 2:14). Similarly, the Doxology “For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours” expresses the Church’s perpetual praise (Ratzinger, 2000).

4. Historical Development of Glory

Early Church Fathers

Early theologians saw God’s glory as intimately linked with human flourishing. St. Irenaeus famously wrote, “The glory of God is man fully alive; and the life of man consists in beholding God” (Against Heresies, IV.20.7; Irenaeus, 1885/1994). This captures the idea that God’s glory and human fulfillment are united.

Medieval Scholastics

St. Augustine defined glory as “brilliant fame accompanied by praise of God” (City of God, V.20; Augustine, 1950).

St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished between “glory on the way” (in via) the glorification of God through virtue in earthly life and “glory in the homeland” (in patria) the perfect union with God in heaven (Summa Theologiae, I–II, q.3, a.8; Aquinas, 1947).

Modern Catholic Thought of Glory

The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed that every human activity, when rightly ordered, should lead to the glory of God and the sanctification of humanity (Gaudium et Spes, §34; Vatican Council II, 1965).

5. Types and Expressions of Glory

Divine Glory God’s eternal perfection and majesty. According to Isaiah (6:3) “The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Heavenly Glory is the blessed state of the saints in heaven. According to Revelation (21:23) “The glory of God gives it light.”

Moral Glory is the honor of virtue and holy living Martyrdom as a witness to God’s glory.

Liturgical Glory is the worship and praise in the Church’s liturgy Gloria in excelsis Deo hymn.

Eschatological Glory is the final transformation of creation According to (1 Corinthians 15:42–44)  “The body is raised in glory.”

6. Significance Glory in Catholic Life

1. Purpose of Human Existence

Humanity exists to “know, love, and serve God in this life and to be happy with Him in the next” (Baltimore Catechism, 1891/1941).

2. Moral Motivation

Catholics are called to “do all things for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

3. Hope of Resurrection 

The promise of heavenly glory gives meaning to suffering (Romans 8:18).

4. Unity with Christ 

Christ’s glorification is the pattern and promise of our own (CCC, 1994, §1003).

5. Worship 

Every act of liturgy aims at glorifying God (Ratzinger, 2000).

Aspect of Glory in  Catholic Understanding

The Source of Glory is God’s holiness and majesty. Goal All creation exists to glorify God. Participation Humans share in glory through grace and sanctity. Expression Worship, virtue, and the Beatific Vision. Ultimate Fulfillment Eternal life in heaven.

Example of Glory Prayer

> “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

This Glory Be prayer reflects the eternal, unchanging, and universal nature of divine glory; the central aim of Catholic worship and life.

References

Aquinas, T. (1947). Summa Theologiae. (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). Benziger Bros.

Augustine of Hippo. (1950). The City of God (M. Dods, Trans.). Modern Library.

Baltimore Catechism. (1941). Baltimore Catechism No. 2. Benziger Brothers.

Brown, R. E. (1968). The Gospel According to John (Vol. 1). Doubleday.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Ferguson, E. (2018). Encyclopedia of Early Christianity (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Irenaeus. (1994). Against Heresies (A. Roberts & W. H. Rambaut, Trans.). Hendrickson Publishers.

Ratzinger, J. (2000). The Spirit of the Liturgy. Ignatius Press.

Vatican Council II. (1965). Gaudium et Spes [Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World]. Vatican Publishing House.

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