The invocation "Lord have mercy" or "Kyrie eleison" is often recited or sung at certain parts of the Catholic liturgy. During the Penitential Rite, for instance, the invocation seems to fit appropriately. According to our Western understanding of these words, we are asking God to "have pity on us and forgive us for our misgivings or sinfulness". Some church musicians have expressed their difficulty in understanding how these same words fit as a response to the Prayers of the Faithful. An example of this might be, "For the sick of our parish, namely John Doe, Jane Smith and Baby Williams", (response) "Lord have mercy"

Shedding some light on the origins of these words might help us to sing more fervently this most appropriate response to the "Prayer of the people".

The word "Kyrie" has its origin in the Greek word "Kyrios" meaning "Lord". In vocative form (the form used for addressing the Lord), the word becomes "Kyrie", much like some Latin languages where the "informal" use of a particular word changes its ending when addressing someone on a more "formal" basis (i.e. in French, from "toi" to "vous"; Italian, from "tu" to "lei"). In Greek, the noun's ending is changed much in the same way.

Let us discuss in more detail our understanding of the English word "mercy". According to the "Chamber's Etymological English Dictionary", the definition of the word "mercy" reads as such: "n. - forbearance towards one who is in one's power: a forgiving disposition: clemency". The latter is most often our Western understanding of the response "Lord have mercy" while responding to the Prayers of the Faithful.

The Greek translation of the word "mercy" is "eleos". This word takes its roots from the old Greek word "elaion" meaning "oil", or more precisely, "olive oil"; a substance which was frequently used to sooth bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting and healing the injured part. The Hebrew translation of the word "mercy" is "heles" which translates into "steadfast love". In our liturgies therefore, we may understand the words "Lord have mercy" or "Kyrie eleison" to mean "Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love, hear me". The word "mercy" does not refer so much to "justice" or "acquittal",­ a very Western interpretation, but more to the "infinite loving-kindness of God", and the "unconditional love and compassion God has for his children". This understanding certainly makes pefect sense when used in both the Penitential Rite and the Prayers of the Faithful, knowing that we make our invocation to our unconditionally loving and compassionate God.

So, there you have it. It is in this sense that we fervently pray and sing "Lord, have mercy" or "Kyrie eleison" with great frequency throughout our Catholic Liturgy.