Deo gratias


Deo gratias is Latin for "thanks to God". It is a response in the Latin Mass, derived from the Vulgate text of 1 Corinthians :la:s:Biblia Sacra Vulgata /ad Corinthios I#15:57|15:57 and 2 Corinthians :la:s:Biblia Sacra Vulgata /ad Corinthios II#2:14|2:14.

Description

It occurs in the Mass
The formula Deo gratias was used in extra-liturgical prayers and customs by the Christians of all ages. The rule of St. Benedict prescribes that the doorkeeper shall say Deo gratias, as often as a stranger knocks at the door or a beggar asks for assistance.
When St. Augustine announced to the people the election of his coadjutor and successor Evodius, they called out Deo gratias thirty-six times.
In Africa it was the salutation used by the Catholics to distinguish themselves from the Donatists who said Deo laudes instead.
Therefore, in Africa, Deo gratias was used as a Catholic given name, e.g. St. Deogratias, Bishop of Carthage.
The name of the deacon for whom St. Augustine wrote his treatise De catechizandis rudibus was also called Deogratias.
Felix of Cantalice used this interjection so often that the people called him "Brother Deogratias".

Musical settings

Deo gratias has been set to music by several composers.
The 15th-century poem "Adam lay ybounden" ends with Deo gratias and it has been set by many composers, including the tenth movement of Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols.
A 2005 documentary film on the life of Antonín Dvořák is titled Deo Gratias.