Dona nobis pacem is Latin for "grant us peace". These three words have been sung and prayed for centuries, in churches, in concert halls and in classrooms, and they are among the most recognisable short prayers for peace in the western world. This guide explains the phrase, its place in the Latin Mass, the well-known round, and how to sing or say it in eight minutes.
The short version: dona means "give" or "grant", nobis means "to us", and pacem means "peace". The words close the Agnus Dei in the Latin Mass, and a traditional round of unknown authorship sets them to a simple tune that anyone can learn.
The Latin phrase, word by word
The phrase has three words:
- dona: the command form of the verb for "to give", here "grant" or "give";
- nobis: "to us";
- pacem: "peace", in the accusative case because it is what is being given.
Together they say: "Grant us peace." This is our own rendering of the Latin, and it is the most common English wording. Pronounced in the church style used for singing, it sounds roughly like "DOH-nah NOH-bees PAH-chem".
Its place in the Agnus Dei
In the Latin Mass of the Catholic Church, the Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God") is a short prayer said or sung before communion. It has three petitions. The first two end with miserere nobis ("have mercy on us"), and the third closes with dona nobis pacem:
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.
In our own rendering: "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace."
Many composers have set the Mass to music, and the Agnus Dei with its closing plea for peace often ends their settings. Since it is part of a liturgy, the phrase carries its Christian setting with it. You can also say it on its own, as a short prayer, and many people of other backgrounds find it easy to share.
The well-known round
Many people first meet the phrase through a simple round, often taught in schools and choirs. It is a traditional piece, and the composer is unknown. A round, or canon, is sung by groups of voices that enter one after another with the same melody. The words are just the three Latin words, sometimes with repeats, and the tune is short enough to learn in a minute or two.
We do not print the notation here, as arrangements differ in details. If you would like to learn it, ask a choir leader or music teacher, or search for a traditional version. The strength of the round is that each voice keeps singing the same line, and the peace builds from the overlap.
How to sing or say it in eight minutes
The Sunday practice at Cosmic Peace Prayers takes eight minutes at 8 PM your local time. Here is one way to spend it with dona nobis pacem. You can use the timer on the home page.
- Minute 1: arrive. Sit or stand. Take three slow breaths.
- Minute 2: say the meaning. Speak the words in English first: "Grant us peace." Notice the "us": it includes you and everyone else.
- Minutes 3 to 5: say or sing the Latin. Use a quiet voice, or hum the tune if you know it. Repeat the phrase slowly, one breath per repetition. You can sing alone, and you can sing with others, in the room or in your mind.
- Minutes 6 to 7: let it become silent. Stop singing and keep the words inside, unspoken. Let each in-breath be "dona nobis" and each out-breath "pacem".
- Minute 8: close. Rest in silence. If you wish, finish with "May there be peace in the cosmos, peace within me, peace here and now."
If you are not comfortable with Latin, use "grant us peace" in your own language, or the Hebrew shalom or Arabic salam in place of it. Some other one-line prayers are collected in short prayers for peace.
Related prayers and practices
The same plea appears in many other places. The Prayer of St. Francis asks to be an instrument of peace, the Bible verses about peace collect biblical sources, and the guide to prayers for world peace brings together texts from many traditions. If you would like to practise alongside people of other faiths, see interfaith prayer for peace. For a weekly reminder, you can join the Sunday Letter, and all guides are listed in one place.
Questions
What does dona nobis pacem mean?
It means "grant us peace" in Latin. Dona is "grant", nobis is "to us" and pacem is "peace".
Where does dona nobis pacem come from?
It forms the closing words of the Agnus Dei, a prayer in the Latin Mass. It is sung on its own as well, and has been set to music by many composers.
Who wrote the dona nobis pacem round?
The well-known round is traditional, and its composer is unknown. We do not know when or by whom it was first written.
Do I need to know Latin or be Catholic to use it?
No. You can say it in Latin or in your own language, and anyone of any background or none can use it as a short prayer for peace.
How do I use it in the Sunday practice?
Spend the eight minutes with it: say the meaning, sing or speak the Latin slowly for a few minutes, then let it become silent.