ITE MISSA EST

"Ite Missa Est" is a joyful dismissal hymn that sends the congregation forth with a spirit of profound gratitude. Composed by Rev. Fr. Okwy Tony Umeh, the piece takes its title from the traditional Latin dismissal of the Mass—"Go, the Mass is ended"—and answers it with a resounding "Deo gratias" (Thanks be to God). It is a perfect choice for the recessional, capturing the energy of a community ready to carry the joy of the liturgy out into the world.

The arrangement offers flexibility for the choir loft, providing two distinct sets of verses to pair with the lively Latin refrain. The English verses lift up straightforward, triumphant praise, declaring the greatness and loving deeds of the Lord. Meanwhile, the Latin verses deepen the classical feel, drawing on expressions of eternal thanks and wholehearted devotion ("Celebrabo te Domine"). Whether a choir chooses the vernacular or the Latin stanzas, the song builds a bright, uplifting conclusion to the Eucharistic celebration.