In our efforts to deepen our worship and stay faithful to the sacred traditions of the Catholic Church, it is important to understand the significance of how we use the name of God—especially in our liturgical celebrations, hymns, and public prayers.

What the Church Teaches

In 2008, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, under the direction of Pope Benedict XVI, issued a letter to all Bishops' Conferences entitled:
“Letter to the Bishops’ Conferences on ‘The Name of God’” (Prot. N. 213/08/L).

This letter reaffirms a long-standing Jewish and Christian tradition: the divine name “Yahweh” should not be used in public worship.

Why This Matters

From the time of the Old Testament, the name of God—YHWH (Yahweh)—was considered so sacred by the Jewish people that it was never pronounced aloud. Instead, they used substitutes like “Adonai” (Lord) or “Elohim” (God), out of reverence and humility before the mystery of God.

The Catholic Church, honoring this sacred tradition, has always avoided using “Yahweh” in liturgical texts, prayers, and hymns. This reflects our continuity with the Jewish roots of our faith and our deep respect for the holy name of God.

The 2008 Vatican Directive: Key Points

• The Name “Yahweh” is not to be used in liturgical celebrations, songs, or prayers.

• Translations of the Bible and liturgical texts should substitute “Yahweh” with “Lord” (as is already done in many versions).

• This decision aims to preserve the reverence due to the divine name and to maintain consistency with centuries of Church tradition.

What This Means for Us Today

Unfortunately, in recent years, some Christian hymns and praise songs—even within our parishes—have begun to include the name “Yahweh” in their lyrics. While the intention may be sincere, such usage is contrary to Catholic liturgical norms.

As a Catholic community, we are called to:

• Avoid using hymns or songs with “Yahweh” or substitute "Yahweh" with "God" or "Lord" in the liturgy or public prayer settings.

• Educate choirs, liturgy teams, and worship leaders about this directive.

• Choose alternative songs that honor God’s name with appropriate reverence and align with Catholic teaching.

Faithfulness in Worship

Being faithful in small things—like the proper use of God's name—is a sign of deep respect and love for our Creator. Let us take this opportunity to renew our reverence, educate our communities, and ensure that our worship always reflects the holiness of the One we praise.

“Holy and awesome is His name.” (Psalm 111:9)

May our worship always be marked by humility, obedience, and awe before the Lord.