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Prebiarp anb Jlisijsal

Edited with Introduction and Notes by

REV. MATTHEW BRITT, O.S.B.

ST. martin's abbey, lacey, wash.
Preface by

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh T. Henry, Litt. D.

New York, Cincinnati, Chicago

BENZIGER BROTHERS

PRINTERS TO THE I PUBLISHERS OF

HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE | BENZIGER's MAGAZINE

1922

OswALDUs Baran, O.S.B.

Abbas S. Martini.

Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D.

Censor Librorum.

imprimatur.

>J* Patrick J. Hayes, D.D.

Archbishop of New York.
New York, July 18, 1922.

ConTRiCHT, 1922. BY Bemzicbr Bsothms
Printed in the United States of America.

Contentis

PAGE

Preface by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh T. Henry, Litt.D. 9

Author's Preface 13

Acknowledgments 15

Bibliography 17

Introduction 21

Historical 21

Meters 25

Canonical Hours 31

PART I

The Hymns of the Psalter 33

Prime 33

Terce 35

Sext 36

None 37

Compline 39

Sunday at Matins 40

Te Deum 44

Sunday at Lauds 49

Monday at Matins 54

Monday at Lauds 55

Tuesday at Matins 58

Tuesday at Lauds 59

Wednesday at Matins 61

Wednesday at Lauds 63

Thursday at Matins 64

Thursday at Lauds 65

Friday at Matins 66

Friday at Lauds 68

Saturday at Matins 70

Saturday at Lauds 71

CONTENTS

PAGE

The Vespers Hymns of the Psalter 73

Sunday at Vespers 73

Monday at Vespers 75

Tuesday at Vespers 77

Wednesday at Vespers 79

Thursday at Vespers 80

Friday at Vespers 82

Saturday at Vespers 84

Special Doxologies 85

The Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin 86

PART II

Pkoper of the Season 91

Advent — The Great Antiphons 91

Christmastide 100

The Holy Innocents 106

The Holy Name of Jesus — Vespers 109

Matins Ill

Lauds 112

The Epiphany 113

Lent 117

Passiontide 123

The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin . . . 132

Eastertide — The Paschal Sequence 141

Whitsuntide 159

Trinity Sunday 170

Corpus Christi 173

Feast of the Sacred Heart 194

Dies IrsB 202

PART III

Proper of the Saints 217

The Immaculate Conception-r-Dec. 8th 217

St. Peter's Chair at Rome— January 18th. ... 219

Conversion of St. Paul — January 25th 221

St. Martina— January 30th 222

The Holy Family— 1st Sunday after Epiphany 226
The Apparition of the Blessed Virgin at

Lourdes — February 11th 232

The Seven Holy Founders— February 12th. . . 237

CONTENTS

PAGE

St. Joseph— March 19th 243

St. Hermengild— April 13th 248

St. Venantius— May 18th 250

St. Juliana Falconieri — June 19th 254

Nativity of St. John the Baptist— June 24th. . 256

SS. Peter and Paul— June 29th 262

The Most Precious Blood— July 1st 265

SS. Cyril and Methodius— July 7th 271

St. Elizabeth of Portugal— July 8th 276

St. Mary Magdalene— July 22nd 278

St. Peter's Chains— August 1st 282

Transfiguration of Our Lord — August 6th. . . . 283

The Seven Dolors of Our Lady— Sept. 15th. . . 286

St. Michael the Archangel — September 29th . . . 291

The Holy Guardian Angels — October 2nd 295

The Most Holy Rosary— October 7th 298

St. Teresa— October 15th 305

St. John Cantius— October 20th 308

All Saints — November 1st 312

PART IV

Common op the Saints 317

Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary 317

Common of Apostles and Evangelists (Out of

Eastertide) 323

Common of One Martyr (Out of Eastertide) . . . 326

Common of Many Martyrs (In Eastertide) . . . 329

Common of Many Martyrs (Out of Eastertide) 332

Common of Confessors 334

Common of Virgins 339

Common of Holy Women 342

Common of the Dedication of a Church 343

De Contemptu Mundi (four parts) 350

Authors of the Latin Hymns 355

Tranlators of the Hymns 362

Religious Affiliations of the Translators 372

Glossary 373

English Index 375

Latin Index 380

preface

'FTER years of patient but loving labor, the
compiler of this volume has achieved a work of
scholarly distinction, of elegant artistry, and
withal of practical utility.
It is a work of scholarly distinction. The
field of Latin hymnology is vast in extent and rich in re-
sources, and translators have roamed far and wide amid its
fertile reaches for highly varied blooms and fruits. The
compiler has therefore had many rich stores to draw upon,
but he has wisely restricted himself to very definite limits
of choice. The hymns of the Roman Missal and Breviary
form a thesaurus by themselves. Many of them are world-
famous classics. Some of them have won translation and
commentary that fill volumes devoted to them singly. All
of them deserve rendition into English verse and, indeed,
have been more than once so rendered. Father Caswall and
Archbishop Bagshawe, each for his own day, translated all
of the Missal and Breviary hymns. Caswall did more, it is
true, finding other treasures in the Parisian and various
Monastic Breviaries. His competency for the task he es-
sayed was manifold and excellent, and his Lyra Catholica
will doubtless forever remain a Catholic classic. Bagshawe
confined his attention to the Roman liturgical hynms, set-
ting himself the somewhat ungrateful task of closely literal
translation. In our own day. Judge Donahoe has published
two series of Early Christian Hymns, including very many
from the Roman liturgy, and has merited the high praise
accorded him by critics. Catholic renderings into English
of individual liturgical hymns are well-nigh innumerable.
While Catholics have naturally been active in such appro-
priate work, it may seem at first blush astonishing that

PREFACE

Protestants should have issued so many volumes of transla-
tion, history, commentary and appreciation of our Latin
hymnody, and should have exhausted the language of
eulogy in appraisal of the masterpieces — the Dies Irce, the
Stabat Mater, the Lauda Sion, the Golden Sequence, and
the like. Charles Warren found suflQcient matter in the his-
tory and the translations of the Dies Irce for a good-sized
volume. Dr. Coles, an American physician, gave a volume
to the Stabat Mater. Judge Noyes unostentatiously issued
his Seven Great Hymns of the Mediceval Church, and the
book ran through many editions. The name of Protestant
editors and translators of our Latin hymns is legion. One
of the most earnest and reverent students of Latin hymn-
ody, and perhaps the most felicitous of all the translators,
was an Anglican clergyman, the Rev. J. M. Neale, D.D.
The distinction achieved by Father Britt in the present
volume, however, does not lie in the fact that he has ven-
tured, with catholicity of literary taste, to include render-
ings by other than Catholic pens. Orby Shipley in his
Annus Sanctus and the Marquess of Bute in his Roman
Breviary had already drawn a sharp contrast — the former
excluding, the latter including, non-Catholic renderings.
But the present compiler has, more largely than any other,
given representation to non-Catholic pens. He has mainly
sought for translations that should best combine a just
literalness with the just freedom in phrase and form ac-
corded by literary canons in the art of translation. There
is obvious danger, on the one hand, that the ray of doctrinal
truth will suffer refraction when it passes from the medium
of the Latin idiom into the medium of the English tongue.
On the other hand, there is danger that excessive devotion
to literalness in phrase rather than in thought w411 issue
in idiomatic awkwardness, questionable rhyming, stilted or
crabbed rhythm.

While the work of Father Britt derives distinction from
this largeness of view in selection, it also aims to secure
elegant artistry in the translation of our wonderfully rich
hymnody. The task is trying beyond ordinary apprehen-
sion, for the editor must minutely weigh questions of ac-
curacy in the rendering, must measure relative felicities of

PREFACE

phrase, must compare stanza with stanza, must evaluate
sensitively the appropriateness of an English metre to that
of the Latin original. Meanwhile, he must remain always
fearful lest some subtle essence or quintessence of the Latin
poet's fine frenzy may have been lost, some hardly dis-
cernible antithesis in thought or phrase overlooked (as
Dr. Neale pointed out in several English translations of the
Angelic Doctor's Pange Lingua), some curiosa felicitas of
the Latin handled with unlaboriously heavy touch. The art
of selection in the midst of many fairly satisfactory rendi-
tions is indeed, to the conscientious anthologist, a most try-
ing one. But the artistic labor does not end here. Merely
to select at random will hardly suffice. But to choose the
version always which seems best to satisfy the canons of
art might result in the too frequent recurrence of the same
names — those of Caswall, Neale, Newman, for instance —
with an undesirable monotony. A large volume must have
a large variety in authorship, when it is an anthology in
the field of Latin hymnody. The difficulty confronted is not
the superficial one, however, of a mere variety in names.
In the domain of music, one may tire of the majesty of
Bach, the stormy emotionalism of Beethoven, the "cloying
sweetness ' ' of Mendelssohn. In literature, one may desire
a change even from the morning freshness of Chaucer, the
vivid heart-searchings of Shakespeare, the sententious
rhythms of Pope. More is needed than a mere variety in
metric forms — a device used by translators in order to
avoid monotony. There should be variety in mental and
spiritual experience and outlook, in poetic gifts, in rhymic
and rhythmic facilities, in variant literary modes. To sum
it up briefly, there should be variety in the unmeasurable
thing called personality. For the style is the man — the
complex, like himself, of his culture, his loves and hopes,
his anxieties and fears. Accordingly, the compiler has
availed himself of the labors of some sixty translators of
the one hundred and seventy-three hymns included in his
volume. The reader may therefore confidently look for
that variety which is the spice of literature as of life. In-
cidentally, he will receive a broad vision of the hymnologic
work going on in the world around him.

PREFACE

The utility of Father Britt's labor of love is practical
in many ways. A good translation is really an interpreta-
tion. It does not render merely the words or even the
thoughts of the original writer into another tongue, but
seeks as well to pierce into his mood, to reproduce it for
the reader^ to catch and fix that first passion which

beggars all behind,
Heirs of a tamer transport prepossessed.

And so it is that the learned Latinist may still learn at
times something from the studious, gifted, visioned trans-
lator, even as the learned Shakespearian etymologist may
gain deeper insight from the action and emphasis of a Gar-
rick or a Booth. In the lower levels of thought, a good in-
terpretation may be gained from a good translation ; for not
a few of the Latin hymns need intelligent commentary for
their easy or complete elucidation — a commentary some-
times supplied, in a large sense, by a poetic translator. On
a still lower plane, some of the Latin hymns (such as the
Sterne Rerum Conditor, the lit Queant Laxis) present
grammatical tangles not readily solvable by the ordinary
graduate of a course in Latin language and literature. But
if the innumerable hosts of those who have had no training
in Latin are to benefit by the wisdom, the piety, the fervor
enshrined in the hymns of the Roman liturgy, the work of
the translator becomes indispensable.

It remains but to felicitate the compiler upon the com-
pletion of his long and loving labor and to bespeak for his
volume the attention of all students of Latin hymnology
and all lovers of the venerable hymns of the Roman MissgJ
and Breviary.

H. T. Henby.
The Catholic University of America,
Washington, D. C.

autfjor'jf preface

X^^^^HE purpose of this volume is to provide an in-
^ x->ytroductory work on the hymns of the Roman
M ^ jBreviary and Missal. In its pages will be
^L J'f ound all the hymns in the Breviary since the

^^1^^ Bull Divino Afflatu of Pope Pius X (1911), to-
gether with the five sequences of the Missal, and a few
other hymns. There is at present in English no work that
even approximately covers this ground. Many thoughtful
men have long felt that something should be done to make
our liturgical hymns better known and better understood.

The Dies IrcB, the Vexilla Regis, the Stabat Mater, the
Lauda Sion, and the Pange Lingua are of incomparably
greater value to the Christian than the greatest of pagan
odes. However, the study of the ancient classics and of
Christian hymns may and should go hand in hand. Each
has its own purpose ; there is no quarrel between them. The
one serves to cultivate a delicate and refined taste, the
other enkindles in the soul the loftiest sentiments of relig-
ion. The study of the former prepares one for a fuller
and more generous enjoyment of the latter.

The present volume is intended as a manual for begin-
ners — for those who have had no access to the many excel-
lent works on Latin hymns edited in other languages. The
editor has no new theories of authorship to propound, no
new historical facts to announce, and in general no new
interpretation of disputed passages in the hymns. For
historical data he freely acknowledges his indebtedness to
many existing works, especially to the Dictionary of Hymn-
ology so ably edited by the late Rev. Dr. John Julian, and
the Rev. James Mearns, M.A.

The translations referred to throughout the volume are

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

metrical translations. There are no prose translations in
English, if one excepts a considerable part of the hymns of
the Proper of the Season, which are found in Abbot
Gueranger's great work The Liturgical Year. The metrical
versions given here represent the work of more than sixty
translators, some of whom flourished as early as the seven-
teenth century. In the selection of these translations many
hymn-collections and many of the finest hymn-books have
been laid under tribute. Catholic and Anglican scholars,
especially since the days of the Oxford Movement, have
vied with one another in rendering our Latin hymns into
English verse. Both in the number of translators and in
the quality of their work the honors are about equally di-
vided. It is worthy of note that Catholic scholars have
ordinarily translated the Roman Breviary Text, while
Anglicans have generally rendered the Original Text as
found in the Benedictine and Dominican Breviaries. Much
time was spent in the selection of the translations that ac-
company the Latin hymns. Despite the great wealth of
translations the editor is inclined to believe that the num-
ber of really good versions of any particular hymn is not
great. A translation, to be worthy of the name, must com-
bine good idiomatic English with a literal rendering of the
original. The retention of the meter of the original is also
very desirable. Some translators have excelled in one of
these qualities, some in another; few have successfully
combined all of them. In not a few instances it was found
necessary to restrict the choice of translations to those
made directly from the Roman Breviary Text. Often how-
ever the two Texts while differing verbally do not differ
greatly in sense. In such instances translations of the
Original Text by J. M. Neale and others are freely given.
It was a part of the instruction given the revisers of the
hymns in 1632 that the meter and sense of each line should
be preserved, and that expressions should not be funda-
mentally altered. It need scarcely be said that this in-
struction was not always followed.

Whenever ascertainable the name of the translator of
each hymn is given. Statements as to authorship do not as
a rule include Doxologies, Latin or English. Considerable

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

liberty was taken in the selection of English Doxologies.
The number of English translations is given under each
hymn. The number of translations credited to a hymn is
based in great part on the versions mentioned in Julian's
Dictionary of Hymnology and in Duffield's Latin Hymn-
Writers. To these lists have been added several recent
translations. All such lists are necessarily incomplete.

The editor is not unconscious of the many shortcomings
and imperfections of the present volume ; but if it will serve
to enkindle in the hearts of beginners, especially of young
men studying for the priesthood, a love for the hymns of
Holy Church, it will have accomplished the chief purpose
for which it was undertaken. Its preparation has been both
a pastime and a labor of love. The result is cheerfully sub-
mitted to the judgment and correction of the proper eccles-
iastical authorities. The pointing out of any inaccuracies
will be duly acknowledged and greatly appreciated by the
editor.

Acknowledgments

The editor desires to express his warmest thanks to
many kind friends for their generous assistance in the
preparation of this work. A special word of acknowledg-
ment is due to the Right Rev. Msgr. H. T. Henry, Litt.D.,
and to the late Right Rev. Peter Engel, O.S.B., for their
kindly interest in the work from its inception. The editor's
thanks are also due to many authors and publishers for per-
mission to use the translations here assigned them : to Mr.
Robert Bridges, the Poet Laureate, for permission to use
hymn 12 from The Yattendon Hymnal; to the Benedictines
of Stanbrook for hymns 99, 100, 121, 122, 138, 140 from
their The Bay Hours of the Church; to Messrs. Burns,
Gates and Washboume for hymns 98 and 146 from Arch-
bishop Bagshawe's Breviary Hymns and Missal Sequences;
to the representatives of the late Marquess of Bute for
hymns 84, 95, 141 from his Roman Breviary in English;
to the Rev. John Connolly for hymn 116 by the late Canon
Hall ; to the Rev. Percy Dearmer for hymn 156 ; to Mr. Lau-
rence Housman for hymn 164 ; to Judge D. J. Donahue for a

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

new translation of hymn 159, and for hjnnns 86, 123, 142,
143, from his Early Christian Hymns; to the Rev. Edward
F. Garesche, S.J. for hymn 80; to the Rev. T. A. Lacey,
M.A. for hymn 48 ; to the Right Rev. Msgr. H. T. Henry for
hymns 41, 75, 96, 97, 131, 139, 144; to the Right Rev. Sir
David Oswald Hunter-Blair, O.S.B. for a new translation
of hymn 30, and for hymn 141 ; to Miss Julian for hymn 20
written by her distinguished father; to the proprietors
of Hymns Ancient and Modern {H.A. and M.) for hymns
34B and 154; to Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner &
Co. for hymn 102 by the late Charles Kegan Paul; to
Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co. for hymn 135, by the late
Dr. T. I. Ball; to Mr. Alan G. McDougall for hymns 1,
64, 77, 105, 129, 136, 138, 156 which now appear in print for
the first time ; to Messrs. Macmillan and to the Society for
Promoting Christian Knowledge (S.P.C.K.) for hymns 14,
16, 18, 27, 36 by the late W. J. Courthope; to the Oxford
University Press for hymn 4 by Messrs. Ellerton and Hort ;
to the Rev. G. H. Palmer, B.A. for permission to use many
copyright hymns from The Hymner — this includes all the
hymns ascribed to Messrs. G. H. Palmer, M. J. Blacker,
W. J. Copeland, J. W. Chadwick, and J. W. Doran ; to Mr.
Athelstan Riley, M.A. for hymns 42 and 129 ; to The Rosary
Magazine for hymn 139 ; to the Rev. G. R. Woodward, M.A.
for a new translation of the Ave Maris Stella 149B, and for
many courtesies ; to the proprietors of The English Hymnal
for the translation ascribed above to Messrs. Athelstan
Riley, T. A. Lacey, Percy Dearmer, and Laurence Hous-
man.

Among the many scholars and friends to whom the editor
is indebted he would here make special mention of Mr.
James Britten, K.S.G., the Rev. James Mearns, M.A., Mr.
Alan G. McDougall and the Rev. Ildephonse Brandstetter,
O.S.B. Many of those already mentioned have been very
kind and helpful in looking up the owners of hymns still
in copyright. This in itself has been no slight task as most
of these are the property of English authors and publish-
ers. The editor has spared no efforts to ascertain the own-
ers of all copyright hymns ; but if through inadvertence any
have been overlooked, indulgence is asked in so worthy a

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

cause, and the editor promises that due acknowledgement
will be made at the earliest opportunity.

Bibliography

Works containing translations of Latin hymns, without
Latin texts and comment, will be found among the bi-
ographies of translators at the end of this volume.

1. John Julian: A Dictionary of Hynmology, 2nd Ed.,
London, 1907. A truly great work which sets forth the
origin of Christian hymns of all ages and nations. Very
valuable for Latin hymns. This work does not contain
texts.

2. S. W. Duffield : Latin Hymn-Writers and Their Hymns,
New York, 1889. This work is a series of critical essays ; it
contains a few Latin hymns and translations. It is not a
reliable work. Funk and Wagnalls, New York.

3. R. C. Trench: Sacred Latin Poetry, Chiefly Lyrical,
London, 1864. Trench was the Protestant Archbishop of
Dublin. This book is an old favorite. It contains 76 Latin
hymns, six of which are from the Breviary and two from
the Missal. The introduction (52 pages) is very instruc-
tive. The book is the work of a scholar, albeit a bigoted one.

4. F. A. March: Latin Hymns, New York, 1874. Con-
tains Latin text of 160 hymns with brief but good notes ; 37
of these hymns are in the Breviary or Missal. American
Book Co., New York.

5. Eucharistica by Right Rev. Msgr. H. T. Henry, Litt.
D. Contains, among much other valuable matter, the Latin
texts with translations of some forty hymns in honor of
the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacred Heart, and the Holy
Name. There are sixty pages of comment. The Dolphin
Press, Philadelphia, 1912.

6. The Catholic Encyclopedia: This great work is fre-
quently referred to throughout this volume. It contains
much valuable information on our Latin hymns. The ar-
ticle on Hymnody and Hymnology was contributed by Rev.
Clemens Blume, S.J., one of the editors of Analecta
Hymnica. There are also some fifty articles on individual
hymns, practically all of which were contributed by Msgr.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

H. T. Henry. Each article is followed by a valuable bibli-
ography.

7. American Ecclesiastical Review: During the last
twenty-five years the American Ecclesiastical Review has
contained many scholarly articles on our Latin hymns, and
many translations. Most of the articles and translations
are from the pen of Msgr. H. T. Henry.

8. Latin Hymns edited with an introduction and notes
by Rev. Matthew Germing, S.J., Loyola University Press,
Chicago, 1920. This inexpensive booklet contains forty-
five hymns judicially chosen and carefully edited for class-
room purposes.

9. Latin Hymns edited by W. A. Merrill. A small vol-
ume of Latin hymns with brief but good notes. About
forty of the hymns are from the Breviary and Missal. San-
born, Boston, 1904.

10. Hymns Ancient and Modern {H. A. S M.), Historical
Edition, London, 1909. Contains 643 hymns, among which
are 148 Latin hymns with English translations and notes.
It contains a valuable Introduction (110 pages). The text
of the Latin hymns "Hymni Latini" is also printed sepa-
rately in vest pocket form. (Wm. Clowes & Sons, Ltd., 23
Cockspur St., London, S.W.)

11. L'abbe Pimont: Les Hymnes du Breviaire Romavn,
Etudes critiques, litteraires et mystiques. 3 Vols., Paris,
1874-1884. A valuable commentary; a good companion
would be the work next listed below.

12. Louis Gladu : Les Hymnes du Breviaire traduites en
frangais avec le text latin en regard. Second Ed., Quebec,
1913.

13. Johan Kayser: Beitrdge sur Geschichte wid Erkld-
rtmg der dltesten Kirchenhymnen. 2 Vols., Paderbom,
1881-1886. An excellent commentary.

14. Adelbert Schulte: Die Hymnen des Breviers nebst
den Sequenzen des Missale; 2nd Ed., Paderborn, 1906.
This work contains the Roman Breviary Text of the hymns,
and the Original Text where it differs from the former.
There is a very literal prose translation of each hymn to-
gether with ample explanatory notes. It is one of the best
works obtainable on our Latin hynms.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

15. F. J. Mone: Latemische Hymnen des Mittelalters, 3
Vols., Freiburg, 1853-1855. Since its publication this has
been one of the standard works on Latin hymns.

16. H. A. Daniel: Thesaurus Eymnologicus, 5 Vols.,
Leipzig, 1841-1856. A valuable and extensive collection of
hymns. The arrangement however is poor, and the abbre-
viations and references in the notes are most obscure. The
first volume contains in parallel columns about fifty Brev-
iary hymns in both the Original Text and the Roman
Breviary Text.

17. Dreves and Blume: Analecta Hymnica Medii ^vi.
Leipzig, 1886. This great work when completed will con-
tain about sixty volumes. More than fifty are now in print.
It is the most extensive work on Latin hymnody thus far
undertaken. The work listed next below should be in the
hands of every user of the Analecta Hymnica.

18. James Mearns: Early Latin Hymnaries. An index
of hymns in hymnaries before 1100. It gives references to
the three following works where the texts of the hymns are
printed; Analecta Hymnica {supra); Werner's Die
dltesten Hymnensammlwigen von Rheinau, 1891; Steven-
son's The Latin Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church, 1851;
References are also given to Chevalier's Repertoriumi
Hymnologicum, the great index to Latin hymns.

Sntrobuctton

Historical

X^^^^^HE use of hjTnns in the Western Church dates
^^^^^from the fourth century, from the days of the
■ ^ |two illustrious Doctors of the Church, SS.
^L ^JHilary and Ambrose. The first in point of
^^^g^^ time to write hymns was Hilary, the ever vigi-
lant bishop of Poitiers (d. 368). St. Hilary, who had
earned for himself the title of Malleus Ariamorum, ''the
Hammer of the Arians," was sent into exile by the Arian
Emperor Constantius. His place of exile was Phrygia, a
country in western Asia Minor. During the six years of his
enforced sojourn among the Greeks, he became familiar
with Greek metrical hymns which were at that time coming
into use among the Christians in the East. On his return
to Poitiers in 361 he began the writing of Latin hymns in
the West. His efforts were not crowned with great suc-
cess. Most of his hymns have perished and many of those
which bear his name are the compositions of later writers.
In 1887, three fragments of hymns from St. Hilary's Liher
Hymnorum were discovered; these are probably the only
genuine hymns of St. Hilary that have survived.

To St. Ambrose (340-397), the great Bishop of Milan, is
to be ascribed the honor of being the real founder of
hymnody in the West. St. Ambrose began the writing of
hymns as a means of combating the pernicious doctrines of
the Arians. His hymns were used to convey correct Catho-
lic doctrine to the minds and hearts of his people. For
this purpose he chose with remarkable judgment a simple
strophe consisting of four iambic dimeters — four lines of
eight syllables each. This, which is the simplest of all the

INTRODUCTION

lyric meters, is most suitable for congregational singing
and is easily memorized. The hymns of St. Ambrose be-
came very popular, and from Milan they spread rapidly
throughout the West. Many imitators arose who imitated
the style and meter of St. Ambrose. All such hymns were
given the general name Ambrosiani — Ambrosian hymns. So
popular were the hymns of St. Ambrose and of the Am-
brosian school of hymn-writers that with a few insignifi-
cant exceptions hymns in this meter were almost exclusively
used do^vn to the eleventh century, nor did other meters
come into extensive use until as late as the sixteenth cen-
tury. Even to this day hymns written by St. Ambrose or
by his imitators greatly predominate in the Breviary. H. A.
Daniel in his Thesaurus Hymnologicus (Vol. 1), gives
ninety-two hymns which he ascribes to St. Ambrose or to
his contemporaries or successors. Many of these Ambros-
iani are certainly not the work of St. Ambrose. The Bene-
dictine editors of the works of St. Ambrose attribute to him
twelve hymns. Father Dreves, the eminent hymnologist,
after a careful study of the hymnaries in the Vatican and
at Milan in 1893, gives it as his opinion that fourteen of
the hymns ascribed to St. Ambrose are ** genuine" and that
four others are ** possibly his."

During the four centuries that elapsed between the death
of St. Ambrose (397) and that of Charlemagne (814), many
Christian poets sang in noble strains. In meter and out-
ward form they imitated the hymns of St. Ambrose. Con-
spicuous among those whose hymns are used in the Divine
OflSce are the Spanish poet Pru dentins (d. 413) whose
Cathemerinon is frequently mentioned in this volume;
Sedulius (5th cent.) who gave us the beautiful Christmas
hymn A solis ortus cardine; Fortunatus (d. 609) "the last
of the Latin poets of Gaul" and the author of the incom-
parable Vexilla Regis and of the sublime passion hymn
Pange lingua; St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) to whom tra-
dition assigns a place among the hymn-writers; Paul the
Deacon (d. 799), a Benedictine of Monte Cassino, the author
of the first Sapphic hymn Ut queant laxis; and Rabanus
Maurus (d. 856), the learned Archbishop of Mainz, the
probable author of the Veni Creator Spiritus,

HISTORICAL

The second period of hymn-writing embraces the period
between the ninth and the sixteenth century. It was a
period of the greatest activity. Many of the medieval
hymn-writers were exceedingly prolific, and a mere men-
tion of the names of those who distinguished themselves
would be a lengthy task. The hymn-writers of the Mid-
dle Ages allowed themselves greater liberty than the earlier
Christian poets, and in general the rules of prosody were
disregarded. It is noticeable also that the hymns of this
period became more subjective than the somewhat austere
hymns of St. Ambrose and his imitators. Popular sub-
jects were — the Passion and Wounds of Christ, His Holy
Name, the Joys of Paradise, the Terrors of the Judgment,
hymns in honor of Our Lady and of the Saints. Among
the great names of this period is that of St. Thomas Aquinas
(d. 1274), the poet of the Blessed Sacrament; Bernard of
Cluny (12th cent.), author of De Contemptu Mundi, a poem
of 3,000 lines which is well known to English readers from
Neale's translations — "The world is very evil," and
** Jerusalem the golden," which are found at the end of
this volume. To this period also belongs Adam of St.
Victor, the author of many sequences of incomparable
beauty, and the most prominent and prolific hymn-writer of
the Middle Ages. To these great names must be added
that of Jacopone da Todi (d. 1306), the author of the ten-
derest of all poems, the Stahat Mater; and the still greater
name of Thomas of Celano (d. circa 1255), the immortal
author of the greatest of uninspired compositions, the
Dies Irce.

The third period of Latin hymn-writing extends to the
present day. It is not a period marked by any great names
nor has it been productive of any noteworthy new school
of hymn-writers. As in all worldly things a period of
growth and activity is followed by a period of decay. The
art of Latin hymn-writing did not prove to be an exception
to this rule. With the close of the Ages of Faith the sun
of Latin hymnody set in all its splendor. Two causes con-
spired to make Latin hymn-writing a lost art. During the
ages when hymnody flourished men thought in Latin and
spoke Latin ; for them Latin was a living language, and one

INTRODUCTION

fully capable of giving expression to the most subtle and
refined thoughts and feelings of the human soul.

Fortunately also men gloried in their Faith and in the
external manifestation of it in literature, in architecture, in
painting, and in sculpture. Unfortunately these conditions
obtain no longer. Latin has become a dead language even
to scholars, and no one writes poetry in a language which
he has not learned from his mother but from books. The
second cause of the decay of hymnody was the Renaissance.
To the Humanist no Latin poem was correct that did not
measure up to the classical standards of the Augustan Age.
Any deviation from this standard was a barbarism. * ' The
Humanists,'^ says Father Clemens Blume, S.J., '' abomi-
nated the rhythmical poetry of the Middle Ages from an
exaggerated enthusiasm for ancient classical forms and
meters. Hymnody then received its death blow as, on the
revision of the Breviary under Pope Urban VIII, the
medieval rhythmical hymns were forced into more classical
forms by means of so-called corrections." {Cath. Encycl.,
Art. Hymnody). Pope Urban was himself a Humanist,
the last in fact of the Humanist Popes. During his reign a
commission was appointed to revise the Breviary, and a
special commission of four distinguished Jesuit scholars.
Fathers Sarbiewski, Strada, Galluzzi, and Petrucci was ap-
pointed to correct the hymns of the Breviary. As a result
of the labors of this commission, 952 corrections were made
in the 98 hymns then in the Breviary. Eighty-one hymns
were corrected: 58 alterations were made in the hymns of
the Psalter, 359 in the Proper of the Season, 283 in the
Proper of the Saints, and 252 in the Common of the Saints.
The first lines of more than 30 hymns were altered.

The Jam lucis orto sidere, the Ave Maris Stella, the
hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas, and a few others were
spared. Some hymns were practically rewritten, others
were scarcely touched. In 1629, the Sacred Congregation
of Rites approved of the alterations, and by the Bull
Divinam Psolmodiam in 1632, Pope Urban VIII introduced
them into the official edition of the Breviary. In connection
with the revision of the hymns it should be borne in mind
that the act of Urban VIII was a purely disciplinary act,

METERS

one which the Church may recall at any time, and one which
she probably will recall, for the work of the revisers is now
generally regarded as a mistake. The hymns in their old
form are still found in the Breviaries of the Benedictines,
Dominicans, Cistercians, Carthusians, and probably a few
others. And, strangely enough, they are still used in the
two great Churches in Rome, St. Peter's and St. John
Lateran.

A word yet remains to be said as to when hymns were
first made an integral part of the Divine Office. It seems
fairly certam that St. Benedict, who wrote his Rule some
ten or fifteen years before his death in 543, was the first to
make hymns an integral part of the canonical hours. St.
Benedict invariably styles these hymns Ambrosiani but
does not name them. A century later hymns constituted a
part of the Office of the secular clergy in Gaul and Spain.
Rabanus Maurus (d. 856) testifies that hymns were in gen-
eral use in his day. And last of all Rome admitted hymns
into the Divine Office in the twelfth century. It must not be
inferred, however, that no hymns were sung in the churches
throughout the West until they were officially recognized
as a part of the liturgical Office. From the days of St.
Ambrose (d. 397) the singing of Latin hymns in the Church
occupied the same position that is now accorded the sing-
ing of hymns in the vernacular. This is true even of con-
servative Rome long before the twelfth century. It might
be recalled that Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604), him-
self a hymn-writer of note, was for several years before
his elevation to the Papacy a Benedictine abbot in the mon-
astery of St. Andrew on the CaBlian Hill. While there he
must have become familiar with the Ambrosiani of the
Benedictine Office which he sang daily. Nor is it conceiv-
able, from what we know of his life, that as Pope he should
not have encouraged the singing of hymns in the churches
of Rome.

Metees

A considerable variety of meters has been employed by
the Christian poets in the composition of Latin hymns.

INTRODUCTION

These meters or verse forms receive their name partly from
the foot that chiefly predominates in them; as, Iambic,
Trochaic, and partly from the number of meters or meas-
ures they contain; as. Dimeter, Trimeter; or from the
name of the author who originated or employed a certain
kind of verse: as, Sapphic, Glyconic, Asclepiadic, etc.

By far the greater part of the hymns is written in
Iambic and Trochaic meters. In these meters Latin verses
are measured not by single feet as in English, but by pairs
or dipodies. In Latin it requires four Iambi or Trochees to
make a Dimeter, while in English a verse with the same
number of feet is called a Tetrameter. A Dimeter, there-
fore, in these meters, contains four Iambi or Trochees; a
Trimeter six; and a Tetrameter eight.

The Romans learned their poetry, as they learned the
other fine arts, from the Greeks. About two centuries be-
fore Christ the influence of Greek poetry began to manifest
itself in the writings of Ennius, "the Father of Roman
poetry." The influence of Greek models increased from
year to year till it culminated in the immortal works of
Horace and Virgil in the Golden Age of Latin literature.
Horace exemplifies all that is best in Latin poetry, and it
was the poetry of Horace and his contemporaries that was
the delight of the cultured Romans whose taste had been
formed on Greek models. This poetry, it need scarcely be
said, was strictly quantitative.

But together with this classical poetry there co-existed,
and that too from the beguming of Latin letters, a
purely rhythmical poetry, a poetry of the people, in which
the ballads and folk songs of the common people were
written. The common people knew nothing of quantity
with its artificial and arbitrary rules which the poets had
made. Quantitative poetry was therefore the poetry of the
educated; rhythmical or accentual poetry was the poetry
of the common people. Now, the early hymns of the
Church were likewise the songs of the people, and were
necessarily written in a manner that would appeal to all
the people and not merely to the cultured classes. This
was effected by St. Ambrose and by the earlier writers
of the Ambrosian school, by a compromise between the

METERS

quantitative and the rhythmical principles. These writers
made use of the simplest of all the lyric meters, the Iambic
Dimeter, with its regular succession of short and long syl-
lables ; but they took care that the accents should in general
fall on the long syllables. Their quantitative hymns can
therefore be read rhythmically. In the composition of his
hymns, St. Ambrose did not make use of any greater licenses
than did Horace and his contemporaries. -Later on, how-
ever, it is noticeable that less and less attention was paid to
quantity and greater attention to accent which began to re-
place it. As early as the fifth century many hymn-writers
employed the rhythmical principle only. This process con-
tinued until in the Middle Ages all sense of long and short
syllables had vanished, and hymns were written in accen-
tual, non-quantitative meters. In studying the hymns
chronologically, it will be observed also that the growth of
rhyme kept pace with the growth of accent.

The scales given below illustrate the common quantitative
forms of the various meters employed in the composition of
Latin hymns. In non-quantitative Latin hymns, and in
English hymns, accent marks may be substituted for the
marks indicating the long syllables.

Scale "A** Iambic Dimeter

Te lucis ante terminum, Before the ending of tlie day,

Rerum Creator poscimus, Creator of the world, we pray

Ut pro tua dementia That with Thy wonted favor Thou

Sis praesul et custodia. Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper

now.

In this meter a spondee or an anapest may be used in the
first and third foot. By far the greater part of the Breviary
hymns are composed in this meter. In English this is the
well-known Long Meter (L. M.) exemplified above.

INTRODUCTION
Scale "B" Iambic Trimeter

Decora lux seternitatis auream
Diem beatis irrigavit ignibus,
Apostolorum quae coronat principes,
Reisque in astra liberam pandit viam.

The beauteous light of God's eternal majesty
Streams down in golden rays to grace this holy day
Which crowned the princes of th' Apostles' glorious choir
And unto guilty mortals showed the heavenward way.

A spondee or an anapest may be used in the odd-num-
bered feet of the Latin hymns. See hymns : 89, 91, 116, 117,
124, 128.

Scale "C" Trochaic Dimeter

Dies iras, dies ilia, Day of wrath, that day whose

Solvet saeclum in favilla: knelling

Teste David cum Sibylla. Gives to flames this earthly

dwelling;
Psalm and Sibyl thus foretelling.

The Dies Irce alone is written in this meter. Hymn 87.
Scale **D'* Trochaic Dimeter Catalectic

Veni Sancte Spiritus, Holy Spirit, Lord of light,

Et emitte coelitus From the clear celestial height,

Lucis tuae radium. Thy pure beaming radiance give.

See hjnoin 67, which alone is written in this meter. The

METERS

Stahat Mater is composed of six-line stanzas of trochaic
dimeters, the third and sixth lines being catalectic. See
hymns 54 and 57, with their translations.

Scale **B" Trochaic Dimeter Brachycatalectic

Ave maris Stella, Ave, Star of ocean,

Dei Mater Alma, Child Divine who barest,

Atque semper Virgo, Mother, Ever-Virgin,

Felix coeli porta. Heaven's portal fairest.

In this hymn (alone) each line consists of three trochees.
"Brachycatalectic," i.e., wanting two syllables or the last
foot of the final dipody. See hymn 149 and its two transla-
tions.

Scale **F" Trochaic Tetrameter Catalectic

Pange, lingua, gloriosi lauream certaminis,

Et super crucis trophaeo die triumphum nobilem,

Qualiter Redemptor orbis immolatus vicerit.

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle, sing the ending of the fray;
Now above the Cross, the trophy, sound the loud triumphant lay:
Tell how Christ, the world's Redeemer, as a Victim won the day.

The caesura uniformly follows the fourth foot — thus di-
viding each verse into a trochaic dimeter acatalectic, and a
trochaic dimeter catalectic; thus,

Pange lingua gloriosi Sing, my tongue, the glorious

Lauream certaminis, etc. battle,

Sing the ending of the fray, etc.

In the Breviary the lines are uniformly broken in two
at the caesura, thus forming stanzas of six lines. See hymns
52, 53, 76, 119, 132, 134B, 168 and their English translations.

INTRODUCTION

Scale "Q'* The Asclepiadic Strophe

Sanctorum meritis inclyta gaudia
Pangamus socii gestaque fortia:
Gliscens fert animus promere cantibus
Victorum genus optimum.

This strophe consists of three Asclepiadic lines and one
Glyconic. The above is a classical specimen of a hymn writ-
ten in this meter. See the translations of hymns 77, 136, 159.

There is some difference of opinion as to how the classical
Asclepiadic strophe should be read. This question is dis-
cussed in the article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl. How-
ever, the majority of those who read these hymns in the
Breviary, read them rhythmically as if written in dactyls.
This is well exemplified in another article in the same work
on the hymn Sacris solemniis — a hymn written in accentual,
non-quantitative measures :

Lo! the Angelic Bread feedeth the sons of men:
Figures and types are fled never to come again.
0 what a wondrous thing! lowly and poor are fed,
Banqueting on their Lord and King.

Hymns: 77, 92, 93, 94, 104, 118, 131, 136, 159.
Scale "//" The Sapphic Strophe

Ecce jam noctis tenuatur umbra.
Lux et auroras rutilans coruscat:
Supplices rerum Dominum canora
Voce precemur.

Lo! the dim shadows of the night are waning;
Lightsome and blushing, dawn of day retumeth;
Fervent in spirit, to the mighty Father
Pray we devoutly.

THE CANONICAL HOURS

Each of the first three lines of the Sapphic strophe con-
sists of a trochee, spondee, dactyl, and two trochees. The
last syllable may be long or short. The fourth line is Adonic,
and consists of a dactyl followed by a spondee. In the first
three lines the place for the caesura is generally after the
fifth syllable. See hymns: 7, 10, 96, 105, 106, 113, 114, 115,
121, 135, 160, 164. Most of these hymns are translated in
the meters, Sapphic and Adonic, of the originals.

The Canonical Houes

The canonical hours are: Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce,
Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. Matins is composed of
parts called Nocturns or Vigils, two or three in number.
Lauds was originally the concluding part of Matins. Even
now Matins and Lauds are scarcely ever separated. The
traditional view is that the Nocturns of Matins were recited
at different times during the night. Outside of monastic
communities, however, the observance of such nightly Vigils
would scarcely be possible.

There is in the Breviary a hymn assigned to each of the
canonical hours. Many of these hymns contain allusions
which are better understood in both the literal and sym-
bolical sense, when it is known at what particular part of
the day or night the hymn was formerly sung. The follow-
ing table will be found sufficiently accurate for all practical
purposes.

Table** A" When the Canonical Hours Were Formerly Said

Prime, at 6:00 A. M. First Nocturn of Matins at 9:00
Terce, at 9:00 A. M. P. M.

Sext, at 12:00 M. Second Nocturn of Matins at 12 :00
None, at 3:00 P. M. P. M.

Vespers, at 6:00 P. M. Third Nocturn of Matins at 3:00
CompHne, at nightfall A. M.

Lauds was said at daybreak

In appointing these times for the recitation of the can-
onical hours, the Church had in mind the greater divisions
or hours of the Roman day. The Romans divided the day,
from sunrise to sunset, into twelve equal parts called
** hours." These were the common hours. **Are there not

INTRODUCTION

twelve hours of the day?" (John 11, 9). They also (as did
the Jews after the conquest) divided the day into four
greater hours, and the night into four watches {custodies,
vigilicE, nodes) each of which was of three common hours'
duration. As the hours or watches of the Roman day and
night were based on solar time, they varied in length with
the season of the year. The season of the equinox is uni-
formly taken as the standard. At that time the duration of
day and night being equal, the hours and watches were
also equal. The following Tables illustrate the greater di-
visions of the Roman day and night, and a comparison
with Table **A" will show how the Church adopted the
ancient Roman subdivisions of the day and night as times
of prayer.

Table **B" The Greater Hours of the Roman Day

The First Hour (Roman time) was from 6:00 A. M. to 9:00 A. M. (our time)
The Third Hour (Roman time) was from 9:00 A. M. to 12:00 M. (our time)
The Sixth Hour (Roman time) was from 12:00 M. to 3:00 P. M. (our time)
The Ninth Hour (Roman time) was from 3:00 P. M. to 6:00 P. M. (our time)
(6:00 A.M. Prime; 9:00 A.M. Terce; 12:00 M. Sext; 3:00 P.M. None; 6:00 P.M.
Vespers.)

Table **C*' Roman Divisions of the Night

The First Watch, "evening," was from 6:00 P. M. to 9:00 P. M. (our time)
The Second Watch, "midnight," was from 9:00 P. M. to 12:00 P. M, (our time)
The Third Watch, "cock-crowing," was from 12:00 P. M. to 3:00 A. M. (our time)
The Fourth Watch, "morning," was from 3:00 A. M. to 6:00 A. M. (our time)

These hours and watches are frequently mentioned in
the New Testament. In a single verse St. Mark refers to
the four watches. "You know not when the lord of the
house Cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crow-
ing, or in the morning" (xiii, 35). The Catholic Encyclo-
pedia contains instructive articles on each of the canonical
hours; there is also an article on Breviary, and one on
Noctums.

®f)e llpmns! of tf)e pretiiarj»
anb iHigsal

Part I

^t^ ^vmnn of tfie $s;altet:

PRIME

Jam lucis orto sidere

JAM lucis orto sidere
Deum precemur supplices,
Ut in diurnis actibus
Nos servet a nocentibus.

^Linguam refraenans temperet,
Ne litis horror insonet:
Visum fovendo contegat,
Ne vanitates hauriat.

•Sint pura cordis intima,
Absistat et vecordia:
Camis terat superbiam
Potus cibique parcitas.

•Ut cum dies abscesserit,
Noctemque sors reduxerit,

NOW in the sun's new dawning
ray,
Lowly of heart, our God we pray
That He from harm may keep us

free
In all the deeds this day shall see.

May fear of Him our tongues

restrain,
Lest strife unguarded speech

should stain:
His favoring care our guardian be,
Lest our eyes feed on vanity.

May every heart be pure from sin,
And folly find no place therein:
Scant meed of food, excess denied,
Wear down in us the body's pride.

That when the light of day is gone,
And night in course shall follow
on.

THE PSALTER

Mundi per abstinentiam We, free from cares the world

Ipsi canamus gloriam. affords,

May chant the praise that is our
Lord's.

'^ Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be,

Ej usque soli Filio, All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee:

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet.

Nunc, et per omne sseculum. To God the holy Paraclete,

Author : Ambrosian, 5th cent. Meter : Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Alan G. McDougall. There are about
thirty translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Prime
daily throughout the year. Read the article on Prime in
the Cath, Encycl.

1. ''The star of light being now risen, let us humbly
beseech God, that in our daily actions He may keep us from
all harm." Lucis sic?M5=sol; Prime was said at sunrise.

2. ''Bridling, may He restrain the tongue, lest the jar-
ring discord of strife resound; may He lovingly veil our
sight lest it drink in vanities." Fovendo: "The ablative of
the gerund and gerundive is used to express manner, means,
cause, etc. In this use, the ablative of the gerund is, in
later writers nearly, and in medieval writers entirely, equiva-
lent to a present participle" (Allen and Greenough's New
Latin Grammar, 507). Linguam: Qui enim vult vitam
diligere, et dies videre bonos, coerceat linguam suam a
malo, et labia ejus ne loquantur dolum (I Peter 3, 10). For
an exposition of the sins of the tongue, read the third chap-
ter of St. James' Epistle. Visum: Averte oculos meos,
ne videant vanitatem (Ps. 118, 37).

3. "May the inmost recesses of the heart be pure, and
may folly cease; may the sparing use of food and drink
wear down the pride of the flesh. ' ' Parcitas : In multis enim
escis erit infirmitas . . . Propter crapulam multi obier-
unt; qui autem abstinens est, adjiciet vitam (Ecclus. 37,
33-34).

4. "That when the day has departed, and fate has
brought back the night, still pure by virtue of abstinence,
we may sing His glory." Sors, fate, divine ordinance,
Ipsif dative, to Him.

TERCE

5. "Glory be to God the Father, and to His only Son,
together with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, both now and
forever. ' '

TERCE

Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus

NUNC Sancte nobis Spiritus,
Unum Patri cum Filio,
Dignare promptus ingeri
Nostro refusus pectori.

^ Os, lingua, mens, sensus, vigor
Confessionem personent,
Flammescat igne caritas,
Accendat ardor proximos.

'Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

GOME, Holy Ghost, who ever
One
Art with the Father and the Son,
It is the hour, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.

Let flesh and heart and lips and
mind

Sound forth our witness to man-
kind;

And love light up our mortal
frame,

Till others catch the living flame.

Grant this, 0 Father, ever One
With Christ, Thy sole-begotten

Son,
And Holy Ghost, whom all adore,
Reigning and blest forevermore.

Author: Possibly by St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by Cardinal Newman, There
are about twenty translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for
Terce daily throughout the year. In this hymn we ask the
Holy Spirit to take possession of our hearts and inflame
them with the fire of divine love. It is appropriate as a
hymn for Terce, the Third Hour, for it was at that hour
(9:00 A. M.) on Pentecost Day, that the Holy Ghost de-
scended upon the Apostles (Acts 2, 15). Read the article
on Terce in the Cath. Encycl.

1. ** Deign now, 0 Holy Spirit, who art One with the
Father and the Son, to come to us without delay, and be
diffused in our hearts." JJimm: The neuter is here used
substantively and signifies unity or sameness of nature

THE PSALTER

and substance. It is so used in the Vulgate : Pater, Verbum,
et Spiritus Sanctus; et hi tres unum sunt. (I John 5, 7).
Ego et Pater unum smnus (John 10, 30). Unum Patri=^
unum cum Patre; the dative here expresses aflBnity, rela-
tionship, etc., as do such adjectives as affinis, similis, par,
and impar. Dignare, imper. of dignor. Ingeri, to be in-
fused. Refusus=dif£usviB, diffused; refusus is by enallage
used for refimdi, as the Holy Spirit must first come to the
soul before He can be diffused therein. This stanza might
be paraphrased: — 0 Sancte Spiritus, qui es unum (una
substantia) cum Patre et Filio, dignare nunc promptus
ingeri nobis, et refundi nostro pectori.

2. "May mouth, tongue, mind, sense, and strength pro-
claim Thy praise; may our charity in its fervor glow
brightly, and may the flame thereof enkindle the hearts of
our neighbors."

3. *' Grant this, 0 most loving Father, and Thou, only-
begotten Son, equal to the Father, who reignest eternally
with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. ' '

SEXT

3 Rector potens» verax Deus

RECTOR potens, verax Deus, f\ GOD of truth, 0 Lord of
Qui temperas rerum vices, ^~^ might,
Splendore mane illuminas, Who orderest time and change

Et ignibus meridiem: aright.

Who send'st the early morning

ray,
And light' St the glow of perfect
day:

' Exstingue flammas litium, Extinguish Thou each sinful fire,

Aufer calorem noxium, And banish every ill desire;

Confer salutem corporum, And while Thou keep'st the body

Veramque pacem cordium. whole,

Shed forth Thy peace upon the
soul.

' Praesta, Pater piissime. Almighty Father, hear our cry,

Patrique compar Unice, Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord

most High,

NONE

Cum Spiritu Paraclito Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Regnans per omne saeculura. Thee,

Doth live and reign eternally.

Author: Possibly by St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale. There are
about twenty translations. Liturgical, Use: Hymn for
Sext daily throughout the year. Sext was said at noon.
The great heat of the noonday sun is compared to the heat
of the passions which we beseech God to extinguish. We
implore Him also to grant us health of body and peace of
soul. Read the separate articles on this hymn and on Sext,
in the Cath. Encycl.

1. ' ' 0 mighty Ruler, truthful God, who dost regulate the
changes of things, with splendor dost Thou light up the
morning, and with burning heat the noonday, ' ' Verax Deus :
Est autem Deus verax: omnis autem homo mendax, sicut
scriptum est (Rom. 3, 4). Splendore: ''Splendor" is here
the beauteous, beneficent light of the morning, in contra-
distinction to the sweltering heat of midday.

2. "Extinguish Thou the flames of strife, remove harm-
ful heat, grant health of body and true peace of heart."
Litium: Noli contendere verbis (II Tim. 2, 14). Color em
noxium: evil desires. Pacem cordium: Pacem relinquo
vobis, pacem meam do vobis; non quomodo mundus dat,
ego do vobis. Non turbetur cor vestrum, neque formidet
(John 14, 27).

NONE
♦ Rerum Deus tenax vigor

RERUM Deus tenax vigor, r\ STRENGTH, and stay up-

Immotns in te permanens, ^^ holding all creation,
Lucis diurnae tempora Who ever dost Thyself unmoved

Successibus determinans: abide,

Yet day by day the light in due

gradation
From hour to hour through all its
changes guide:

THE PSALTER

*Largire lumen vespere, Grant to life's day a calm un«

Quo vita nusquam decidat, clouded ending,

Sed praemium mortis sacrse An eve imtouched by shadows of

Perennis instet gloria. decay,

The brightness of a holy death-
bed blending
With dawning glories of th* eternal
day.

'Praesta, Pater piissime, Hear us, 0 Father, gracious and

Patrique compar Unice, forgiving,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito And thou, 0 Christ, the co-eternal

Regnans per omne saeculum. Word,

Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all

things living
Now and to endless ages art
adored.

Author: Possibly by St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. EUerton and F. J. A.
Hort. There are about twenty translations. Liturgical.
Use : Hymn for None daily throughout the year. None, or
the Ninth Hour (3:00 P. M.), corresponds to the hour of
Our Lord's death. In this hymn we acknowledge the omni-
potence and providence of God; and we ask that eternal
glory be the reward of a holy death. Read the separate ar-
ticles on None and on this Hymn, in the Cath. Encycl. The
meter, iambic pentameter, in the above beautiful transla-
tion is unusual in the translation of Latin hymns.

1. **0 God, the sustaining power of created things, who
in Thyself dost remain unmoved, and dost determine our
times by successive changes of the light of day : ' ' Immotus,
unchanged. Tempora: The regular divisions of time as
marked off by the progress of the sun in the heavens. Suc-
cessus, progress, advance, a succession of time.

2. ''Bestow Thou upon us Thy light in the evening (of
life), that life may never fail us, but that eternal glory
may await us as the reward of a holy death." Largire,
imper. of largior. Lumen, the light of glory.

COMPLINE

Te lucis ante terminum

TE lucis ante terminum,
Rerura Creator poscimus,
Ut pro tua dementia
Sis prsesul et custodia.

'Procul recedant somnia,
Et noctium phantasmata;
Hostemque nostrum comprime,
Ne poUuantur corpora.

'Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

OEFORE the ending of the day,
•*-' Creator of the world, we pray
That with Thy wonted favor Thou
Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper
now.

From all ill dreams defend our

eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

0 Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only

Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Author: Ambrosian, 7th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale. There are thirty-five transla-
tions, five of which are in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus.
Liturgical Use : Hymn for Compline daily throughout the
year. As the Jam lucis orto sidere, which was said at sun-
rise, is an important part of Prime, the Morning Prayer of
the Church, so the Te lucis ante terminum, which was said
at nightfall, is an appropriate and equally beautiful part of
Compline, the Evening Prayer of the Church. Read the
separate articles on Compline and on the Te lucis ante
terminum in the Cath. Encycl.

1. * * Before the end of daylight, 0 Creator of the world,
we beseech Thee, that in accordance with Thy mercy. Thou
wouldst be our Protector and our Guard." Terminum lucis:
Compline was said after sunset, but before complete dark-
ness enveloped the earth.

2. **Far off let dreams and phantoms of the night de-
part ; restrain Thou our adversary lest our bodies become
defiled." Somnia, foul dreams; phantasmata {phantasma,

THE PSALTER

atis), delusions. Both words convey with them the addi-
tional idea of uncleanness. In Mr. C. Kent's translation,
they are rendered by *'evil dreams" and ''fancies with
voluptuous guile." Hostem, the devil, the great adversary
of man. In the beginning of Compline we are cautioned to
be vigilant, for our ' ' adversary, the devil, goeth about like
a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5, 8).

SUNDAY AT MATINS

Primo die, quo Trinitas

PRIMO die, quo Trinitas
Beata raundum condidit,
Vel quo resurgens Conditor
Nos morte victa liberal:

HAIL day! whereon the One
in Three
First formed the earth by sure

decree,
The day its Maker rose again,
And vanquished death, and burst
our chain.

^Pulsis procul torporibus,
Surgamus omnes ocyus,
Et nocte quaeramus Deum,
Propheta sicut praecipit:

^Nostras preces ut audiat,
Suamque dextram porrigat,
Et expiatos sordibus
Reddat polorum sedibus:

Away with sleep and slothful ease !
We raise our hearts and bend our

knees.
And early seek the Lord of all,
Obedient to the Prophet's call.

That

He may
prayer,

hearken to our

Stretch forth His strong right arm

to spare,
And ev'ry past offense forgiven,
Restore us to our home in heaven.

*Ut, quique sacratissimo
Hujus diei tempore
Horis quietis psallimus,
Donis beatis muneret.

''Jam nunc, paterna claritas,
Te postulamus affatim :
Absint faces libidinis,
Et omnis actus noxius.

Assembled here this holy day,
This holiest hour we raise the lay;
And 0 that He to whom we sing,
May now reward our offering!

O Father of unclouded light!
Keep us this day as in Thy sight,
In word and deed that we may be
From ev'ry touch of evil free.

SUNDAY AT MATINS

' Ne f oeda sit, vel lubrica That this our body's mortal frame

Compago nostri corporis. May know no sin, and fear no

Ob cujus ignes ignibus shame,

Avernus urat acrius. Nor fire hereafter be the end

Of passions which our bosoms
rend.

^Mundi Redemptor, quaesumus. Redeemer of the world, we pray
Tu probra nostra diluas: That Thou wouldst wash our sins

Nobisque largus commoda away,

Vitae perennis conferas. And give us, of Thy boundless

grace,
The blessings of the heavenly
place.

'Prsesta, Pater piissime. Most Holy Father, hear our cry,

Patrique compar Unice, Through Jesus Christ our Lord

Cum Spiritu Paraclito most High

Regnans per omne saeculum. Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Thee
Shall live and reign eternally.

Author: St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale and others, from The
New Office Hymn Book. There are about twenty transla-
tions. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Matins from the Octave
of the Epiphany until the first Sunday of Lent, and from the
Sunday nearest to the Calends of October until Advent.
First line of Original Text: Primo dierum omnium.

1. *'0n the first day, on which the Blessed Trinity
created the world, and on which the Creator rising, after
vanquishing death, liberated us, ' ' Primo die — Sunday, ihe
day on which God began the creation of the world. For the
Work of each of the Six Days, see the Vespers Hymns of the
Psalter, Nos. 23-28. Conditor: the Creator, God the Son,
who rose from the dead on Sunday. In this stanza the cre-
ation of the world is ascribed to the Trinity, and then to the
Son, or Word alone, of whom it was said : All things were
made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was
made (John 1, 3). The divine nature, the attributes, and the
external works of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity are
common to all of Them. However, the Redemption of the
world is the personal work of the Son, in the sense that He

THE PSALTER

alone became incarnate and suffered and died for us.

2. "Banishing sloth afar, let us all rise quickly, and by
night seek God as the Prophet commands," Ocyus, comp. of
ociter. Propheta: The Prophet referred to is David, the
Eoyal Psalmist. Media nocte surgebam ad confitendum tibi
(Ps. 118, 62). In noctibus extollite manus vestras in sancta,
et benedicite Dominum (Ps. 133, 2).

3. ''That He may hear our prayers, and stretch forth
to us His right hand, and restore us, purified from sin, to
the abodes of heaven;" Dextram: The right hand is a sym-
bol of power, strength; the stretching forth of the right
hand signifies the exercise of power.

4. * ' That He may reward with blessed gifts all of us who
sing His praises in the most hallowed time of this day, in
the hours of rest. ' ' Constr. : Ut quique sacratissimo hujus
diei tempore .... psallimus, (eos) donis beatis muneret.
Quique: This use of quisque for quicunque or quisquis, who-
soever, every one who, all that, is common in the Breviary
and in ante- and post-classical Latin generally.

5. **We now also earnestly entreat Thee, 0 Splendor
of the Father, that the flames of lust, and every evil deed be
far removed from us." Paterna claritas, Christ, whom St.
Paul styles. Splendor Patris (cf. Heb. 1, 3; see also the
opening line of Hymn 12). Actus noxius, sin.

6. ''Lest the structure of our body become foul or de-
filed, and on account of its evil desires, hell with its flames
should burn the more fiercely. ' ' Ignes, the fires of the pas-
sions, the desires of the flesh.

7. "We beseech Thee, 0 Redeemer of the world, that
Thou wash away our sins, and generously bestow upon us
the reward of eternal life."

SUNDAY AT MATINS
7 Nocte surgentes

IVrOCTE surgentes vigilemus IVfOW, from the slumbers of the

■*• ^ omnes, -L ' night arising,

Semper in psalmis meditemur, Chant we the holy psalmody of
atque David,

SUNDAY AT MATINS

Voce concordi Domino canamus Hymns to our Master, with a voice
Dulciter hymnos. concordant,

Sweetly intoning.

*Ut pio Regi pariter canentes. So may our Monarch pitifully

Cum suis Sanctis mereamur hear us,

aulam That we may merit with His

Ingredi coeli, simul et perennem Saints to enter

Ducere vitam. Mansions eternal, therewithal

possessing

Joy beatific.

'Praestet hoc nobis Deltas beata This be our portion, God forever
Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti blessed,

Spiritus, cujus resonat per om- Father eternal. Son, and Holy
nam Spirit,

Gloria mimdiun. Whose is the glory, which through

all creation
Ever resoundeth.

Author: Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Meter:
Sapphic and Adonic. Translation, a cento from The
Eymner, in the meter of the original. The translation has
been altered to adapt it to the Roman Breviary Text. There
are about twenty translations. Liturgical Use: Matins
hymn from the third Sunday after Pentecost till the Sun-
day nearest the Calends of October. This is the companion
hymn of Ecce jam 7ioctis, No. 10.

1. ''Bising by night, let us all keep watch and ever de-
vote our minds to psalmody, and with harmonious voices let
us sing sweet hymns to the Lord." P salmis: The Psalms
constitute the principal part of the Divine Office. They are
so arranged in the Psalter that the 150 Psalms are said
each week.

2. * * That singing to the loving King, together with His
Saints, we may merit to enter the royal court of heaven, and
with them enjoy eternal life."

3. ''May the Blessed Deity of the Father, Son, and like-
wise of the Holy Spirit, whose glory resounds throughout
the whole world, grant us this."

THE PSALTER
8 Te Deum

TE Deum laudamus: * te Dom- \¥7E praise Thee, 0 God: we
inum confitemur. ^ acknowledge Thee to be

the Lord.

'Te aeternum Patrem * omnis Thee, the Eternal Father, all the
terra veneratur. earth doth worship.

^Tibi omnes Angeli, * tibi coeli, To Thee all the Angels, to Thee
et universae potestates: the Heavens, and all the

Powers therein:

*Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim, * To Thee the Cherubim and Sera-
incessabili voce procla- phim with unceasing voice

mant: cry aloud:

'Sanctus, * Sanctus, * Sanctus, * Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of
Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Sabaoth.

'Pleni sunt coeli et terra * ma- The heavens and the earth are
jestatis gloriae tuae. full of the majesty of Thy

glory.

^Te gloriosus * Apostolorum Thee, the glorious choir of the
chorus. Apostles,

*Te Prophetarum * laudabilis Thee, the admirable company of
numerus, the Prophets,

•Te Martyrum candidatus * Thee, the white-robed army of
laudat exercitus. Martyrs doth praise.

^* Te per orbem terrarum * sancta Thee, the Holy Church through-
confitetur Ecclesia, out the world doth confess,

" Patrem * immensae ma jestatis. The Father of infinite majesty,

"Venerandum tuum verum * et Thine adorable, true, and only
unicum Filium, Son,

"Sanctum quoque * Paraclitum Also the Holy Ghost, the Com*
Spiritmn. forter.

" Tu Rex gloriae * Christe. Thou, 0 Christ, art the King of

glory.

TE DEUM

^^ Tu Patris * sempiternus es Filius. Thou art the Everlasting Son of

the Father.

"Tu ad liberandum suscepturus Thou, when about to take upon

hominem: * non horruisti
Virginis uterum.

" Tu devicto mortis aculeo : * ape-
ruisti credentibus regna
ccelorum.

*'Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes,
gloria Patris.

"Judex crederis * esse venturus.

Thee human nature to re-
deem the world, didst not
disdain the Virgin's womb.

When Thou hadst overcome the
sting of death, Thou didst
open to believers the king-
dom of heaven.

Thou sittest at the right hand of
God, in the glory of the
Father.

Thou, we believe, art the Judge
to come.

^"Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis We beseech Thee, therefore, help

Thy servants whom Thou
hast redeemed with Thy
Precious Blood.

Make them to be numbered with
Thy Saints, in glory ever-
lasting.

Save Thy people, 0 Lord, and
bless Thine inheritance.

subveni: * quos pretioso
sanguine redemisti.

^^ Sterna f ac cum Sanctis tuis * in
gloria numerari.

"Salvum fac populum tuum
Domine, * et benedic haere-
ditati tuae.

^'Et rege eos, * et extolle illos
usque in seternum.

^*Per singulos dies * benedicimus
te.

"Et laudamus nomen tuum in
saeculum * et in saeculum
saeculi.

^'Dignare Domine die isto * sine
peccato nos custodire.

"Miserere nostri Domine: * mi-
serere nostri.

And rule them, and exalt them
forever.

Day by day, we bless Thee.

And we praise Thy Name forever;
yea, forever and ever.

Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, this day, to
keep us without sin.

Have mercy on us, 0 Lord; have
mercy on us.

THE PSALTER

^'Fiat misericordia tua Domine Let Thy mercy, 0 Lord, be upon
super nos, * quemadmodum us ; even as we have hoped

speravimus in te. in Thee.

^® In te Domine speravi: * non con- In Thee, 0 Lord, have I hoped:
fundar in seternum. let me not be confounded

forever.

Author: Probably by St. Nicetas (335-415). Liturgical
Use: In general, the Te Deum is said in the Office at the end
of Matins whenever the Gloria in excelsis is said at Mass.
This rule is sufficiently accurate for those who use the
Eoman Breviary. In addition to its liturgical use, the Te
Deum is used in many extra-liturgical functions as a hymn
of thankskiving on occasions of great solemnity, such as the
election of a pope, the consecration of a bishop, the benedic-
tion of an abbot, canonization of a saint, religious profes-
sions, etc.

The Te Deum is written in rhythmical prose. There are
about twenty-five metrical translations and several prose
versions in English. The vigorous and justly popular trans-
lation by Father Walworth is given below.

The Cath. Encycl, contains a scholarly article on the Te
Deum. Read also the articles on St. Nicetas, Sanctus, Sab-
aoth, and many others which the text readily suggests.

Analysis
The Te Deum consists of three distinct parts :

Part I (verses 1-13) contains a hymn of praise to the
blessed Trinity; the praise of Earth and of the Angelic
choirs; the praise of the Church Triumphant and of the
Church Militant.

Part II (verses 14-21) is a hymn in praise of Christ, the
Redeemer. It proclaims the glory of Christ, the Eternal
Son of the Father — His incarnation, victory over death,
exaltation, future coming, and terminates with a prayer of
supplication for those redeemed by the Precious Blood, that
they may be numbered among the Saints.

Part III (verses 22-29) is composed principally of verses
from the Psalms. It contains a prayer of petition for the

TE DEUM

divine assistance and guidance; a declaration of our
fidelity; a prayer for deliverance from sin during the day
(about to begin) ; it closes with a prayer for mercy for
those who have hoped in the Lord.

In the following Notes, the numbers refer to the verses
of the Te Deum:

5. Sanctus: The **Tersanctus" is found in both the Old
Testament (Is. 6, 3) and in the New (Apoc. 4, 8). Supply
es, art Thou.

7. Apostolorum: Note the climax: the small number of
Apostles, the greater number of Prophets, the white-robed
army of Martyrs, the Church throughout the world.

9. Marty rum: Only Martyrs were venerated in the early
Church. The first non-Martyrs venerated in the West were
Pope St. Sylvester (d. 335) and St. Martin of Tours (d.
397). Candidatus, white-robed. The Blessed in general are
represented as clothed with white robes (cf. Apoc. 7, 9-14).

14. Rex gloria: David in prophecy referring to the ascen-
sion of the Messias styles Him ''the King of Glory" (Pa.
23, 7-10). The whole Psalm is very beautiful.

16. Hominem = naturam humanam. This verse does not
lend itself readily to translation. The difficulty is with the
proper rendering of suscepturus hominem: (some texts
have suscepisti, but this is immaterial). Since the Primer
of 1546, translations like the following have found their
way into most of our books of devotion: — "Thou, having
taken upon Thee to deliver man"; ''When Thou tookest
upon Thee to deliver man." It is needless to say that such
renderings mean something quite different from the fol-
lowing : **Thou, when about to take upon Thee man (i.e,
human nature) to liberate the human race, didst not abhor
the Virgin's womb." After liberandum some supply
mundum, others hominem, men, the human race. Horruisti,
variously rendered — fear, abhor, disdain, shrink from, etc.

17. Mortis aculeo: (cf. I Cor. 15, 55-56).

18. Dexter am Dei: a figurative expression signifying the
place of highest honor, power, and glory in heaven (Ps. 109,
1 ; Mark 16, 19). Sedes: sittest, i.e., abidest, remainest. This
implies no particular posture of body.

19. Crederis, passive. Thou art believed.

THE PSALTER

20. Redemisti: (cf. I Peter 1, 18-19) Verses 22-23 are
taken verbatim from Psalm 27, 9.

22. Hcereditati tuce: Thine own ; those whom Thou hast re-
deemed.

24. Per singulos dies: every day; from Psalm 144, 2.

27. Miserere: verbatim from Psalm 122, 3.

28. Fiat: verbatim from Psalm 32, 22.

29. In te: verbatim from Psalm 30, 2.

The following translation preserves much of the spirit
and force of the original. The seventh stanza is a render-
ing of verses 20-21 by Monsignor Henry. The remaining
stanzas are by Father Walworth, whose translation does
not contain a rendering of verses 20-21. The numbers pre-
ceding a stanza refer to the verses of the Te Deum rendered
in that stanza.

1-2
Holy God, we praise Thy Name,
Lord of all, we bow before Thee;
All on earth Thy scepter claim.
All in heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain.
Everlasting is Thy reign.

3-6
Hark, the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and Seraphim
In unceasing chorus praising.
Fill the heavens with sweet accord;
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!

7-10
Lo, the Apostolic train
Join, Thy sacred Name to hallow:
Prophets swell the loud refrain.
And the white-robed Martyrs follow;
And, from morn till set of sim.
Through the Church the song goes on.

11-13
Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee,
While in Essence only One,

SUNDAY AT LAUDS

Undivided God wc claim Thee:
And, adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery.

14-17

Thou art King of glory, Christ;
Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death.
Thou hast opened heaven to faith.

18-19
From Thy high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that Thou shalt come
In the dreadful Doomsday morning;
When Thy voice shall shake the earth.
And the startled dead come forth.

20-21

Therefore do we pray Thee, Lord:
Help Thy servants whom, redeeming
By Thy Precious Blood outpoured.
Thou hast saved from Satan's scheming.
Give to them eternal rest
In the glory of the Blest.

22, 26, 29
Spare Thy people. Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin to-day.
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee;
Never, Lord, abandon rae.

SUNDAY AT LAUDS
? Sterne rerum conditor

AETERNE rerum Conditor, lyTAKER of all, eternal King,

Noctem diemque qui regis, -■-'-■■ Who day and night about
Et temporum das tempora, dost bring:

Ut alleves fastidium. Who weary mortals to relieve,

Dost in their times the seasons

give:

THE PSALTER

^Nocturna lux viantibus
A nocte noctem segregans,
Prseco diei jam sonat,
Jubarque solis evocat.

^Hoc excitatus lucifer
Solvit polum caligine:
Hoc omnis erronum cohors
Viam nocendi deserit.

*Hoc nauta vires colligit,
Pontique mitescunt freta:
Hoc, ipsa petra Ecclesiae,
Canente, culpam diluit.

"Surgamus ergo strenue:
Gallus jacentes excitat,
Et somnolentos increpat,
Gallus negantes arguit.

•Gallo canente spes redit,
^gris salus refunditur,
Mucro latronis conditur,
Lapsis fides revertitur.

'Jesu labantes respice,
Et nos videndo corrige:
Si respicis, labes cadunt,
Fletuque culpa solvitur.

Now the shrill cock proclaims the

day,
And calls the sun's awak'ning

ray —
The wand'ring pilgrim's guiding

light,
That marks the watches night by

night.

Roused at the note, the morning

star
Heaven's dusky veil uplifts afar:
Night's vagrant bands no longer

roam,
But from their dark ways hie them

home.

The encouraged sailor's fears are

o'er,
The foaming billows rage no

more:
Lo! e'en the very Church's Rock
Melts at the crowing of the cock.

O let us then like men arise;
The cock rebukes our slumbering

eyes.
Bestirs who still in sleep would

lie.
And shames who would their Lord

deny.

New hope his clarion-note awakes,
Sickness the feeble frame forsakes,
The robber sheathes his lawless

sword.
Faith to the fallen is restored.

Look on us, Jesu, when we fall,
And with Thy look our souls

recall :
If Thou but look, our sins are

gone,
And with due tears our pardon

won.

SUNDAY AT LAUDS

'Tu lux refulge sensibus, Shed through our hearts Thy

Mentisque somnum discute: piercing ray,

Te nostra vox primum sonet, Our souls' dull slumber drive

Et vota solvamus tibi. away:

Thy Name be first on every

tongue,
To Thee our earliest praises sung.

" Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be,

Ejusque soli Filio, All praise, Eternal Son, to Tliee,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet.

Nunc, et per omne saeculum. To God the holy Paraclete.

Author : St. Ambrose (340-397) . Meter ; Iambic dimeter.
Translation by W. J. Copeland as altered in The Hymner.
There are eighteen translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for
Lauds on Sunday from the Octave of the Epiphany until the
first Sunday of Lent, and from the Sunday nearest the
Calends of October until Advent. The jEterne rerum Con-
ditor, though written on so simple a subject as cock-crow-
ing, is one of the most beautiful hymns in the Breviary. It
would be a mistake, however, to infer from the simplicity
of the theme, that it presents either few or slight difficulties
to the translator. The eminent hymnologist, L'abbe Pimont,
in his Les Hymnes du Breviaire Romam, deemed it neces-
sary to give a prose translation of but this one hymn. It is
one of the five Breviary hymns that Trench includes in his
Sacred Latin Poetry,

1. ''Eternal Maker of the world, who rulest both the
night and day, and givest a variety of seasons to relieve
monotony!" Temporum, times, seasons; tempora, changes,
variety. Fastidium, lit., a loathing, aversion; here,
monotony, wearisomeness, humdrum.

2. '*A nocturnal light to wayfarers, separating watch
from watch, the herald of the day sends forth his cry and
calls forth the rays of the sun." Lux: variously rendered
— light, star, moon, light of a lamp, etc. The meaning seems
to be that the crowing of the cock serves for the nocturnal
traveler as a lamp, a kindly guide to the habitations of men.
A node noctem: nox is here used in the sense of watch — a
fourth part of the night. The cock by his crowing, at mid-
51

THE PSALTER

night and at dawn, separates the watches of the night. This
use of nox for vigilia is not uncommon.

In stanzas 3 and 4, the pronoun hoc occurs four times. In
each instance it may be considered as an ablative absolute —
supplying canente from the last line of the fourth stanza; or
it may be translated as an ablative of instrument — By him
(the cock).

3. '* While he sings, the awakened morning star disen-
thralls the heavens of darkness; all the bands of night-
prowlers abandon their deeds of violence. ' ' Lucifer, lit., the
light-bringer, the morning star. Erronum, from erro, onis,
a vagabond, vagrant. Viam, way, path, life, deeds.

4. ** While he sings, the sailor gathers new strength, the
raging of the sea subsides : while he sings, the very Rock
of the Church washes away his sin." Petra Ecclesice, St.
Peter. Et ego dico tibi quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc
petram ssdificabo ecclesiam meam (Matt. 16, 18). Culpam
diluit: Prius quam gallus cantet, ter me negabis. Et
egressus foras, flevit amare (Matt. 26, 75).

5. ' * Let us, therefore, rise with alacrity ; the cock awakens
the sleepers, chides the drowsy, and rebukes the unwilling. ' '
Note the climax, — jacentes, somnolentos, negantes, — the
sleepers, the drowsy, the unwilling; also in the verbs, —
excitat, increpat, arguit, — awakens, chides, rebukes. ** Cock-
crowing," says Trench, ''had for the early Christians a mys-
tical significance. It said, ' The night is far spent, and the
day is at hand.' And thus the cock became, in the Middle
Ages, the standing emblem of the preachers of God's word.
The old heathen notion that the lion could not bear the sight
of the cock, easily adapted itself to this new symbolism.
Satan, the roaring lion (I Peter 5, 8) fled away terrified, at
the faithful preaching of God's word. Nor did it pass un-
noticed, that this bird, clapping its wings upon its sides,
first rouses itself, before it seeks to rouse others" {Sacred
Latin Poetry, p. 244). There is a similar passage in the
Regula Pastoralis Curce, III, 40, of St. Gregory the Great.

6. ''At the crowing of the cock, hope returns ; health is re-
stored to the sick ; the sword of the robber is sheathed ; con-
fidence returns to the fallen." JEgris salus: "Man's tem-
perature is lowest and his pulse rate feeblest in the early

SUNDAY AT LAUDS

morning hours usually between three and five. During the
night the pulse rate probably drops at least ten beats ....
and the temperature drops nearly two degrees from its
daily climax." — James J. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., in America,
Oct. 7, 1916, p. 613.

7. ''0 Jesus, look with compassion upon the wavering,
and correct us with Thy look (as Thou didst correct Peter) :
if Thou dost but look, our sins vanish, and our guilt is
washed away by our tears." Labantes, from lahare, to
waver, to be unstable.

8. **0 Light, shine Thou into our hearts, dispel the leth-
argy of the soul; may our voice first praise Thee, and to
Thee may we pay our vows." Vota solvere, to keep one's
promises ; to fulfill one 's vows.

SUNDAY AT LAUDS

Ecce jam noctis

ECCE jam noctis tenuatur
umbra,
Lux et aurorae rutilans coruscat:
Supplices rerum Dominum canora
Voce precemur:

^ Ut reos culpae miseratus, omnem
Pellat angorem, tribuat salutem,
Donet et nobis bona sempiternae

Munera pacis.

LO, the dim shadows of the
night are waning;
Lightsome and blushing, dawn of

day returneth;
Fervent in spirit, to the world's
Creator
Pray we devoutly:

That He may pity sinners in their

sighing,
Banish all troubles, kindly health

bestowing;
And may He grant us, of His

countless blessings,

Peace that is endless.

'Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata

Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti

Spiritus, cujus resonat per omnem

Gloria mundum.

This be our portion, God forever

blessed,
Father eternal, Son, and Holy

Spirit,
Whose is the glory, which through

all creation
Ever resoundeth.

THE PSALTER

Author: Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Meteb:
Sapphic and Adonic. Translation based on a translation
of the Original Text, by M. J. Blacker, but here rewritten
in part to adapt it to the Roman Breviary Text. There are
fifteen translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds from
the third Sunday after Pentecost until the Sunday nearest
the Calends of October. This is the companion hymn of
Node Surgentes, No. 7.

1. "Behold, now the shadows of the night are fading
away, and the ruddy light of dawn breaks forth ; suppliantly
let us with harmonious voices invoke the Lord of creation,"
Rutilans, ruddy, rosy-fingered.

2. ''That He may have pity on those guilty of sin, that
He may banish trouble, bestow health, and confer upon us
the good gifts of everlasting peace."

3. The doxology as in hymn 7.

SUNDAY AT MATINS
Somno refectis artubus

SOMNO refectis artubus,
Spreto cubili surgimus;
Nobis, Pater, canentibus
Adesse te deposcimus.

'Te lingua primum concinat,
Te mentis ardor ambiat:
Ut actuum sequentiura
Tu, sancte, sis exordium.

'Cedant tenebrae lumini,
Et nox diurno sideri,
Ut culpa, quam nox intulit,
Lucis labascat munere.

*Precamur iidem supplices,
Noxas ut omnes amputes,

OUR limbs refreshed with
slumber now.
And sloth cast ofi", in prayer we

bow;
And while we sing Thy praises

dear,
0 Father, be Thou present here.

To Thee our earliest morning

song,
To Thee our hearts' full powers

belong;
And Thou, O Holy One, prevent
Each following action and intent.

As shades at morning flee away,
And night before the star of day;
So each transgression of the night
Be purged by Thee, celestial Light !

Cut off, we pray Thee, each

offense.
And every lust of thought and

sense;

MONDAY AT LAUDS

Et ore te canentium That by their lips who Thee adore

Lauderis omni tempore. Thou mayst be praised forever-

more.

'Praesta, Pater piissime, Grant this, 0 Father ever One

Patrique compar Unice, With Christ, Thy sole-begotten Son,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito And Holy Ghost, whom all adore,

Regnans per omne saeculum. Reigning and blest forevermore.

Author : St. Ambrose (340-397). Metee : Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale. There are seventeen transla-
tions.

1. ''Our limbs having been refreshed with sleep, spum-
ing our bed, we rise ; 0 Father, we beseech Thee, that Thou
be near us, who sing Thy praises. ' ' Spreto cubili, abl. ab-
solute.

2. ''Let our tongue first praise Thee, may the ardor of
our soul seek after Thee, that Thou, 0 Holy One, mayest be
the source of the actions that follow — throughout the day. ' '
Exordium, beginning, source, etc. A good morning of-
fering will make God the beginning or source of all our
daily actions.

3. "Let darkness give way to light, and night to the day-
star, that sin, which darkness brought in, may depart with
the gift (advent) of light." Light is a symbol of Christ;
night and darkness are symbols of sin and of the powers of
darkness. Christ is the True Light (John 1, 9) at whose
rising or advent, spiritual darkness wanes.

4. "We also suppliantly pray that Thou remove all hurt-
ful things, and that Thou, out of the mouths of those prais-
ing Thee, mayest be forever praised." lidem: "Idem, the
same, is often used where the English requires an adverb
or adverbial phrase (also, too, yet, at the same time)." —
Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar, 298, b. In
reading iidem, elide one i and read idem.

MONDAY AT LAUDS

12 Splendor paterncB gloricB

SPLENDOR paternae gloria, /~\ SPLENDOR of God's glory
De luce lucem proferens, ^^ bright,

0 Thou that bringest light from
light,
55

THE PSALTER

Lux lucis, et fons luminis,
Diem dies iiluminans:

*Verusque sol illabere,
Micans nitore perpeti:
Jubarque sancti Spiritus
Infunde nostris sensibus.

'Votis vocemus et Patrem,
Patrem potentis gratise,
Patrera perennis glorise:
Culpam releget lubricam.

*Confirmet actus strenuos:
Dentes retundat invidi:
Casus secundet asperos:
Agenda recte dirigat.

'Mentem gubernet et regat:
Sit pura nobis castitas:
Fides calore ferveat,
Fraudis venena nesciat.

'Christusque nobis sit cibus,
Potusque noster sit fides:
Laeti bibamus sobriam
Profusionem Spiritus.

'Laetus dies hie transeat:
Pudor sit ut diluculum:
Fides velut meridies:
Crepusculum mens nesciat.

'Aurora lucem provehit,
Cum luce nobis prodeat
In Patre totus Filius,
Et totus in Verbo Pater,

0 Light of Light, light's Living

Spring,
0 Day, all days illumining.

0 Thou true Sim, on us Thy glance
Let fall in royal radiance,
The Spirit's sanctifying beam
Upon our earthly senses stream.

The Father too our prayers

implore,
Father of glory evermore,
The Father of all grace and might,
To banish sin from our delight:

To guide whate'er we nobly do.
With love all envy to subdue.
To make ill -fortune turn to fair.
And give us grace our wrongs to
bear.

Our mind be in His keeping

placed.
Our body true to Him and chaste,
Where only faith her fire shall

feed.
And burn the tares of Satan's

seed.

And Christ to us for food shall be.
From Him our drink that welleth

free.
The Spirit's wine, that maketh

whole,
And mocking not, exalts the soul.

Rejoicing may this day go hence,
Like virgin dawn our innocence,
Like fiery noon our faith appear.
Nor know the gloom of twilight
drear.

Morn in her rosy car is borne;
Let Him come forth our Perfect

Morn,
The Word in God the Father One,
The Father perfect in the Son.

MONDAY AT I.AUDS

'Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be;

Ejusque soli Filio, All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet.

Nunc et per omne saeculum. To God the Holy Paraclete.

Author: St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation from The Yattendon Bymnal — a spirited
translation. There are about thirty translations. The
Splendor paternce gloria has been rightly styled, ''A beau-
tiful morning hymn to the Holy Trinity, but especially to
Christ as the Light of the World, and a prayer for help and
guidance throughout the day. It is a companion and sequel
to the Sterne rerum Conditor" (Julian's Diet, of
Hymnology).

1. **0 Splendor of the Father's glory, bringing forth
light from light, 0 Light of Light, and Source of light, Day
illuminating day ! ' ' Splendor glorice : St. Paul styles Christ :
Splendor glorise et figura substantias ejus (Patris) (Heb.
1, 3). Christ is the brightness, or effulgence, of the Father's
glory, and the figure, or image, of His substance. The
similitude by which the Word is styled the ''Splendor of
the Father's glory" is based on the sun of our solar system
and the rays emanating unceasingly therefrom. The sun
represents the Father ; the rays, the Son. The figure must
not be understood as implying any inequality. Lux: Of
Himself, Christ says: Ego sum lux mundi (John 8, 12) ; He
is the "True Light" (John 1, 9) ; "the Orient from on
High" (Luke 1, 78), who illuminates by His grace and by
the light of faith "every man that cometh into this world"
(John 1,1-9).

2. " 0 Thou, true Sun, descend, shining with everlasting
brightness, and infuse into our hearts the radiance of the
Holy Spirit." Illabere, imper. of illabor.

3. "In our prayers, let us also implore the Father, the
Father of eternal glory, the Father of mighty grace, that
He may remove every dangerous inclination to sin." By
culpa is here meant, the inclination to sin, rather than sin
itself.

4. ' ' May He give us strength for manly deeds, blunt the
teeth of the envious one, bring adverse events to a favor-

THE PSALTER

able issue, and give us the grace to act wisely." Denies,
teeth: fig., envy, ill-will, rage; invidi, the envious one, the
devil. Invidia autem diaboli mors introivit in orbem ter-
rarum (Wisd. 2, 24).

5. *'May He rule and direct our mind that our chastity
remain unsullied ; may our faith glow with fervor, and may
it know not the poison of error." Nobis, dat. of possession.

6. *'May Christ be our food, and faith our drink; joy-
fully let us drink of the sober affluence of the Spirit."
Cibus: In the literal sense, Christ is our food in the Holy
Eucharist. Read the words of promise (John 6, 48-59).
Profusionem: the outpouring, *' sober affluence," "tem-
perate excess." The Original Text has ebrietatem, inebria-
tion. The poet had in mind the outpouring of the Holy Ghost
upon the Apostles (Acts 2, esp. 12-17).

7. * * Joyfully may this day pass by ; may our modesty be
as the dawn, our faith as the noonday sun, and may our
souls know no twilight. ' '

8. ''The aurora leads on the light; with the light may
there appear to us the whole Son in the Father, and the
whole Father in the Word. "

TUESDAY AT MATINS
13 Consors paterni luminis

CONSORS paterni luminis, r\ LIGHT of Light, 0 Day-

Lux ipse lucis, et dies, ^-^ spring bright,

Noctem canendo rumpimus: Co-equal in Thy Father's light:

Assiste postulantibus. Assist us, as with prayer and

psalm
Thy servants break the twilight
calm.

*Aufer tenebras mentium, All darkness from our minds

Fuga catervas daemonum, dispel,

Expelle somnolentiam, And turn to flight the hosts of

Ne pigritantes obruat. hell:

Bid sleepfulness our eyelids fly,
Lest overwhelmed in sloth we lie.

TUESDAY AT LAUDS

'Sic Christe nobis omnibus
Indulgeas credentibus,
Ut prosit exorantibus,
Quod praecinentes psallimus.

*Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sseculum.

Jesu, Thy pardon, kind and free,
Bestow on us who trust in Thee:
And as Thy praises we declare,
O with acceptance hear our prayer.

D Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only

Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Author: St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. W. Chadwick and J. D. Chambers. There
are twelve translations.

1. ''0 Sharer of the Father's Light, Thyself the Light of
Light, and Day ; aid Thou Thy suppliants who interrupt the
night with song." See the note on the first stanza of the
preceding hymn.

2. ''Dispel the darkness of our minds, put to flight the
hosts of evil spirits, drive away drowsiness lest it over-
whelm the slothful. ' '

3. ' ' So, 0 Christ, grant pardon to all of us who believe in
Thee, that what we singing express in our songs, may be
profitable to Thy suppliants." Prcdcinere 3, to sing or play
before, to praise.

TUESDAY AT LAUDS
Ales diet nuntius

\ LES diei nuntius
•^*- Lucem propinquam prae-

cinit:
Nos excitator mentium
Jam Christus ad vitam vocat.

^Auferte, clamat, lectulos,
^gro sopore desides:
Castique, recti, ac sobrii
Vigilate, jam sum proximus.

AS the bird, whose clarion gay
Sounds before the dawn is
grey,
Christ, who brings the spirit's day,
Calls us, close at hand:

"Wake!" He cries, "and for my

sake.
From your eyes dull slumbers

shake !
Sober, righteous, chaste, awake!
At the door I stand!"

THE PSALTER

'Jesum ciamus vocibus, Lord, to Thee we lift on high

Flentes, precantes, sobrii: Fervent prayer and bitter cry:

Intenta supplicatio Hearts aroused to pray and sigh
Dormire cor mundum vetat. May not slumber more:

*Tu, Christe, somnum discute: Break the sleep of Death and Time,

Tu rumpe noctis vincula: Forged by Adam's ancient crime;

Tu solve peccatum vetus. And the light of Eden's prime
Novumque lumen ingere. To the world restore!

'Deo Patri sit gloria. Unto God the Father, Son,

Ejusque soli Filio, Holy Spirit, Three in One,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito One in Three, be glory done,
Nunc et per omne sseculum. Now and evermore.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by W. J. Courthope. There are twelve trans-
lations. This hymn is a cento from the Hymn at Cock-Crow,
the first of the twelve hymns of the Cathemerinon of
Prudentius. There are twenty-five four-line stanzas in the
Hymn at Cock-Crow. The Ales diei nuntius is composed of
stanzas 1, 2, 21, and 25 of the complete hymn. This hymn
affords a fair, but by no means an extreme, illustration of
the manner in which centos have been taken from the hymna
of Prudentius for Breviary use.

The hymns for Lauds on Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday are from the Cathemerinon. It will be observed
that they are replete with figurative expressions. As dark-
ness and mists are symbolical of sin and unbelief, so light
is a symbol of truth and of Christ. In studying these three
hymns, attention should be paid to the figurative, rather
than to the literal meaning of their lines. Mr. Courthope 's
spirited translations preserve much of the spirit and beauty
of the originals. In these translations the following stanza
immediately precedes the doxology. It is not a translation
of any part of the Latin text :

Now before Thy throne, while we
Ask, upon our bended knee,
That this blessing granted be,
And Thy grace implore;

The above note applies equally to hymns 14, 16, and 18.

WEDNESDAY AT MATINS

1. "The winged herald of the day proclaims the ap-
proaching light; now Christ, the awakener of souls, calls
us to life." The ''winged messenger" is the cock, who in
Christian symbolism is a symbol of early rising and vig-
ilance. Propinquam, approaching; Lauds was said at day-
break, or cock-crow, the beginning of the morning watch.
Excitator mentium: Christ by His grace is the awakener of
souls.

2. "Take up your beds, He cries, ye who are slothful from
idle sleep, and watch ye, chaste, upright, and sober, for I
am at hand." ^gro sopor e: Ye who have become slothful
from idle, excessive, sickness-producing sleep. Sobrii:
Sobrii estote et vigilate (I Peter 5, 8). Vigilate ergo, quia
nescitis qua horaDominus vester ven turns sit (Matt. 24,42).

3. "Weeping, praying, and sober, let us, with our voices,
invoke Jesus: fervent prayer forbids the pure heart to
sleep."

4. "Do Thou, 0 Christ, dispel sleep, break the bonds of
night, free us from the sins of former days, and infuse new
light in us. ' '

WEDNESDAY AT MATINS
15 Rerum Creator optime

RERUM Creator optime, TSZ^^ madest all and dost

Rectorque noster, adspice: ^ control,
Nos a quiete noxia Lord, with Thy touch divine,

Mersos sopore libera. Cast out the slumbers of the soul,

The rest that is not Thine.

^Te, sancte Christe, poscimus, Look down, Eternal Holiness,

Ignosce culpis omnibus: And wash the sins away,

Ad confitendum surgimus, Of those, who, rising to confess,

Morasque noctis rumpimus. Outstrip the lingering day.

^Mentes manusque tollimus. Our hearts and hands by night, 0
Propheta sicut noctibus Lord,

Nobis gerendum praecipit, We lift them in our need;

Paulusque gestis censuit. As holy Psalmists give the word,

And holy Paul the deed.

THE PSALTER

* Vides malum quod fecimus: Each sin to Thee of years gone by,

Occuha nostra pandimus: Each hidden stain lies bare;

Preces gementes fundimus, We shrink not from Thine awful

Dimitte quod peccavimus. eye,

But pray that Thou wouldst spare.

^Praesta, Pater piissime, Grant this, 0 Father, Only Son

Patrique compar Unice, And Spirit, God of grace,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito To whom all worship shall be

Regnans per omne sseculum. done

In every time and place.

Author: Ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Cardinal
Newman. There are thirteen translations. There is an
article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl.

1. ''Look down, 0 sovereign Creator of the world, and
our Ruler, and deliver us, overwhelmed by sleep, from a
sinful rest. ' ' The time of rest, by affording occasions of sin
and temptation, may become harmful or sinful.

2. ''Thee, all-holy Christ, we implore that Thou forgive
all our sins : to praise Thee, we rise and interrupt the linger-
ing hours of the night." Moras, variously rendered — hours,
rest, etc. ; lit., a delay, a space of time.

3. "By night we lift up our hands and hearts, as the
Prophet commands us to do, and as Paul, by his deeds, sanc-
tioned." St. Paul put into practice the precept of the
Prophet. The Prophet is David, the Royal Psalmist, who
says: In noctibus extollite manus vestras in sancta, et
benedicite Dominum (Ps. 133, 2). Paulus: A reference to
St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles: Media autem nocte,
Paulus et Silas orantes laudabant Deum (Acts 16, 25).

The following is Father Caswell's translation of this
stanza :

Who, as the holy Psalmist bids.
Our hands thus early raise;
And in the morning sing with Paul
And Silas hymns of praise.

4. ' ' Thou seest the evil that we have done ; we lay bare
our secret faults ; sighing we pour forth our prayers ; par-
don what we have done amiss."

WEDNESDAY AT LAUDS
jNox, et tenehrcB, et nubila

NOX, et tenebrae, et nubila,
Confusa mundi et turbida;
Lux intrat, albescit polus:
Christus venit: discedite.

*Caligo terrae scinditur
Percussa solis spicule,
Rebusque jam color redit,
Vultu nitentis sideris.

^Te Christe solum novimus:
Te mente pura et simplici,
Flendo et canendo quaesumus,
Intende nostris sensibus.

*Simt multa fucis illita,
Quae luce purgentur tua:
Tu vera lux ccelestium
Vultu sereno illumina.

^Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ej usque soli Filio,
Cirni Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculimi.

DAY is breaking, dawn is
bright:
Hence, vain shadows of the night!
Mists that dim our mortal sight,
Christ is come! Depart!

Darkness routed lifts her wings
As the radiance upwards springs:
Through the world of wakened

things

Life and color dart.

Thee, Q Christ, alone we know:
Singing even in our woe.
With pure hearts to Thee we go:
On our senses shine!

In Thy beams be purged away
All that leads our thoughts astray !
Through our spirits, King of day,
Pour Thy light divine!

Unto God the Father, Son,
Holy Spirit, Three in One,
One in Three, be glory done,
Now and evermore.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by W. J. Courthope. There are seventeen
translations. This hymn is a cento from the Morning Hymn
of the Cathemerinon. See the note on this hymn and its
translation, under Ales diei nuntius, hymn 14.

1. ** Night, darkness, and clouds, confused and disordered
state of the world, depart: light enters, the sky grows
bright, Christ comes."

2. ' ' The darkness of the earth is rent, pierced by a ray of
the sun ; color now returns to things, at the appearance of
the shining star of day." Nitentis sideris, the sun, the day-
star; fig., Christ.

THE PSALTER

3. "Thee alone, 0 Christ we know; with pure and simple
hearts, with tears and hymns we seek Thee ; incline to our
souls." Intende, give ear to, be favorably disposed towards,
hasten to the help of.

4. ' ' Many things which are now bedaubed with false col-
ors shall be purified by Thy light : 0 Thou true Light of the
saints, enlighten us by Thy bright countenance." Fucis,
lit., rouge, lllita, from illino, bedaub, smear. For the line
Tu vera lux coelestium, the Original Text has, Tu lux eoi
sideris. Eoi from eous, adj., belonging to the morning,
eastern.

Light of the Morning Star, illume,
Serenely shining, all our gloom.

THURSDAY AT MATINS
Nox atra rerum contegit

NOX atra rerum contegit
Terrae colores omnium:
Nos confitentes poscimus
Te, juste judex cordium:

THE dusky veil of night hath
laid
The varied hues of earth in shade;
Before Thee, righteous Judge of

all,
We contrite in confession fall.

^Ut auferas piacula,
Sordesque mentis abluas:
Donesque Christe gratiam,
Ut arceantur crimina.

Take far away our load of sin,
Our soiled minds make clean

within :
Thy sov'reign grace, 0 Christ,

impart.
From all offence to guard our

heart.

'Mens ecce torpet impia,
Quam culpa mordet noxia:
Obscura gestit tollere,
Et te Redemptor quaerere.

*Repelle tu caliginem
Intrinsecus quam maxime,
Ut in beato gaudeat
Se collocari lumine.

For lo ! our mind is dull and cold,
Envenomed by sin's baneful hold:
Fain would it now the darkness

flee.
And seek. Redeemer, unto Thee.

Far from it drive the shades of

night,
Its inmost darkness put to flight;
Till in the daylight of the Blest
It joys to find itself at rest

THURSDAY AT LAUDS

'Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord

most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Author: Ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. W. Chad-
wick. There are twelve translations.

1-2. ''Dark night hath concealed the colors of all things
on earth; praising Thee we pray, 0 just Judge of hearts,
that Thou take away our sins, and wash away the stains of
the soul; and grant us, 0 Christ, Thy grace that sin may
be kept afar off."

3. "Lo, the guilty soul which mortal sin holds fast is
torpid ; still it longs, 0 Redeemer, to put away its evil deeds
and seek Thee. ' '

4. ''Drive out, as much as possible, the darkness that is
within, that the soul may rejoice to be established in blessed
light." Mens from the preceding stanza is the subject of
gaudeat. Se collocare, to establish one's self, to dwell per-
manently,

THURSDAY AT LAUDS
Lux ecce surgit auria

T UX ecce surgit aurea,
-" Pallens facessat caecitas.
Quae nosmet in praeceps diu
Errore traxit devio.

^Haec lux serenum eonferat,
Purosque nos praestet sibi:
Nihil loquamur subdolum:
Volvamus obscurum nihil.

' Sic tota decurrat dies,
Ne lingua mendax, ne manus
Oculive peccent lubrici,
Ne noxa corpus inquinet.

SEE the golden sun arise I
Let no more our darkened eyes
Snare us, tangled by surprise
In the maze of sin !

From false words and thoughts

impure
Let this Light, serene and sure,
Keep our lips without secure,
Keep our souls within.

So may we the day-time spend,
That, till life's temptations end,
Tongue, nor hand, nor eye offend!
One, above us all,

THE PSALTER

•Speculator adstat desuper, Views in His revealing ray

Qui nos diebus omnibus, All we do, and think, and say,

Actusque nostros prospicit Watching us from break of day
A luce prima in vesperum. Till the twilight fall.

'Deo Patri sit gloria, Unto God the Father, Son,

Ej usque soli Filio, Holy Spirit, Three in One,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, One in Three, be glory done,
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Now and evermore.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by W. J. Courthope. There are seventeen
translations. This hymn is a cento from the Morning Hymn
of the Cathemerinon of Prudentius. See the note on this
hymn and its translation, under Ales diei nuntius, hymn 14.

1. ''Behold, the golden light arises; may the waning
darkness, which long drew us headlong in wide-wandering
error, depart." In prceceps, headlong; into great danger.
It should be borne in mind that this is a hymn for Lauds,
and that Lauds was said at daybreak. As the rising sun
dispels the blinding darkness, so Christ, the Sun of Justice
(Mai. 4, 2), dispels the darkness of sin and of unbelief.

2. * ' May this light bring us contentment, and may it pre-
serve us pure for itself; may we speak nothing deceitful;
may we meditate nothing dark." Sibi refers to lux (i.e.,
Christus).

3. '*So may the whole day run its course; that neither
the tongue prone to lie, nor the hands, nor the restless eyes
sin ; may no sin defile the body. ' '

4. *'An Observer stands on high, who each day beholds
us and our actions, from early morning until evening, ' *

FRIDAY AT MATINS
19 Tu, Trinitatis Unitas

rpU, Trinitatis Unitas, r\ THREE in One, and One in

••• Orbem potenter quae regis, ^^ Three,
Attende laudis canticum Who rulest all things mightily:

Quod excubantes psallimus. Bow down to hear the songs of

praise
Which, freed from bonds of sleep,

we raise.

FRIDAY AT MATINS

'Nam lectulo consurgimus
Noctis quieto tempore,
Ut flagitemus omnium
A te medelam vulnerum.

^ Quo f raude quidquid daemonum
In noctibus deliquimus,
Abstergat illud coelitus
Tuae potestas gloriae.

*Ne corpus adstet sordidum,
Nee torpor instet cordium,
Ne criminis contagio
Tepescat ardor spiritus.

''Ob hoc, Redemptor, quaesumus,
Reple tuo nos lumine.
Per quod dieriun circulis
Nullis ruaraus actibus.

'Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Regnans per omne saeculum.

While lingers yet the peace of

night,
We rouse us from our slumbers

light:
That might of instant prayer may

win
The healing balm for wounds of

sin.

If, by the wiles of Satan caught,
This night-time we have sinned in

aught,
That sin Thy glorious power

to-day,
From heaven descending, cleanse

away.

Let naught impure our bodies

stain,
No laggard sloth our souls detain,
No taint of sin our spirits know,
To chill the fervor of their glow.

Wherefore, Redeemer, grant that

we
Fulfilled with Thine own light

may be:
That, in our course, from day to

day.
By no misdeed we fall away.

Grant this, 0 Father ever One
With Christ, Thy sole-begotten

Son,
And Holy Ghost, whom all adore.
Reigning and blest forevermore.

Author: Ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Metee : Iambic dimeter. Translation by G. H.
Palmer and J. W. Chadwick. There are thirteen trans-
lations.

1. ' * Thou Unity in Trinity, Thou who dost mightily rule
the world, hearken to the canticle of praise, which we, risen
from sleep, sing. ' '

2. '*For we rise from our beds in the quiet time of the

THE PSALTER

night, that we may ask of Thee a remedy for all our
wounds. ' '

3. ''That whatever, by the deception of the evil spirits,
we have failed in during the night, the same may the power
of Thy glory from heaven blot out." Quo, conj., that.
Coelitus, adv., from heaven.

4. *'Lest the body become defiled and torpor of heart
threaten, and the fervor of the soul be chilled by the touch
of sin. ' '

5. **We therefore beseech Thee, 0 Redeemer, fill us with
Thy light, that in the lapse of days, we may fail in none of
our actions,"

FRIDAY AT LAUDS

Sterna cceli gloria

A ETERNA cceli gloria,
■^^ Beata spes mortalium,
Summi Tonantis Unice,
Castaeque proles Virginis:

'Da dexteram surgentibus,
Exsurgat et mens sobria,
Flagrans et in laudem Dei
Grates rependat debitas.

' Ortus ref ulget lucifer,
Prseitque solem nuntius:
Cadunt tenebrae noctium:
Lux sancta nos illmninet.

*Manensque nostris sensibus,
Noctem repellat saeculi,
Omnique fine temporis
Purgata servet pectora.

0 CHRIST, whose glory fills the
heaven,
Our only hope, in mercy given;
Child of a Virgin meek and pure;
Son of the Highest evermore:

Grant us Thine aid Thy praise to

sing,
As opening days new duties bring;
That with the light our life may

be
Renewed and sanctified by Thee.

The morning star fades from the

sky.
The sun breaks forth; night's

shadows fly :
0 Thou, true Light, upon us shine :
Our darkness turn to light divine.

Within us grant Thy light to

dwell;
And from our souls dark sins

expel ;
Cleanse Thou our minds from

stain of ill.
And with Thy peace our bosoms

fill.

FRIDAY AT LAUDS

^ Quaesita jam primum fides To us strong faith forever give,

In corde radices agat: With joyous hope, in Thee to live;

Secunda spes congaudeat. That life's rough way may ever be

Qua major exstat caritas. Made strong and pure by charity.

*Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be,

Ej usque soli Filio, All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee:

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet,

Nunc, et per omne saeculum. To God the holy Paraclete,

Author I Ambrosian, 5th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by John Julian. There are twelve translations.

1. *' Eternal Glory of heaven, blessed hope of mortals,
the only-begotten Son of the most high Thunderer, the
offspring of a chaste Virgin," Tonantis (tono 1) ''The
Sovereign Thunderer's only Son." — Abp. Bagshawe. Tona-
bit de coelo Dominus (II Kings 22, 14). Cf. also I Kings 2,
10;Ps. 17,14;Ps. 28, 3.

2. ''Give Thy right hand to those who rise; sober also
may the soul arise, and zealous in the praise of God, return
Him due thanks. ' ' Sobria, thoughtful, recollected. Grates =
gratias.

3. ' ' The risen morning star shines forth, and as a herald
precedes the sun; the darkness of night disappears; may
the holy light illuminate us." Lovers of allegory see in
John the Baptist "the morning star," "the herald" that
went before the rising Sun of Justice.

4. "And dwelling in our hearts, may it dispel the dark-
ness of the world, and may it preserve our hearts unsullied
till the end of time." Lux sancta is the subject of the whole
stanza. Noctem scbcuU, spiritual darkness, sin.

5. "First may faith long-sought strike deep its roots in
our hearts ; secondly, may hope rejoice us ; but greater still
than these is charity." Qua refers grammatically to spes,
but in sense also to fides, and is therefore equivalent to
quibus. Nunc autem manent fides, spes, caritas, tria hjec;
major autem horum est caritas (I Cor. 13, 13). In heaven
faith will be changed into vision, hope into fruition, but
charity will remain forever,

THE PSALTER
SATURDAY AT MATINS

SummcB Parens clementice

SUMMAE Parens clementiae,
Mundi regis qui machinam,
Unius et substantiae,
Trinusque personis Deus:

^Nostros pius cum canticis
Flatus benigne suscipe:
Ut corde puro sordium
Te perfruamur largius.

'Lumbos, jecurque raorbidum
Flaramis adure congruis,
Accincti ut artus excubent
Luxu remoto pessimo.

*Quicumque ut horas noctium
Nunc concinendo rumpimus,
Ditemur omnes affatim
Donis beatae patriae.

'Preesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

GREAT God of boundless mercy
hear;
Thou Ruler of this earthly sphere ;
In substance one, in persons

three,
Dread Trinity in Unity!

Do Thou in love accept our lays
Of mingled penitence and praise;
And set our hearts from error free,
More fully to rejoice in Thee.

Our reins and hearts in pity heal,
And with Thy chastening fires

anneal;
Gird Thou our loins, each passion

quell,
And every harmful lust expel.

Now as our anthems, upward

borne,
Awake the silence of the morn,
Enrich us with Thy gifts of grace.
From heaven. Thy blissful dwell-
ing-place !

Hear Thou our prayer. Almighty

King!
Hear Thou our praises, while we

sing.
Adoring with the heavenly host,
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Author: Ambrosian, 7tli cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation, a cento based on Chambers. There are six-
teen translations. First line of Original Text : SummcB Deus
clementicB.

1-2. **0 Father of infinite mercy, Thou who rulest over
the vast fabric of the universe, God of one substance, and
three in person, graciously accept, 0 loving Father (pius),
our tears with our hymns of praise, that with hearts free

SATURDAY AT LAUDS

from sin we may enjoy Thee more abundantly." Pitts is
here used for the vocative, supply Parens or Deus. Or it
agrees with tu the subject of suscipe — 0 Parens, tu pius ( =
benigne) suscipe. Puro, note the genitive sordium; the
ablative is more common. Largius, adv., comp. of largus.

3. **Burn Thou, with becoming (holy) flames, our reins
and our depraved hearts, that our well girded limbs may
watch, far removed from baneful luxury." Lumbos: the
loins, in which the ancients located the seat of the feelings
or affections. Jecur: lit., the liver; considered formerly as
the seat of the soul and affections. Accincti = prsBcincti:
Sint lumbi vestri prsBcincti, et lucernae ardentes in manibus
vestris (Luke 12, 35). The girding of the loins signifies an
instant willingness to do the will of God. In the East where
men wore long flowing garments it was necessary to gird
them up by means of a belt when about to begin some work
or set out on a journey.

4. ''That all of us who now interrupt the hours of night
with song, may be abundantly enriched with the gifts of
the blessed land."

SATURDAY AT LAUDS

22 Aurora jam spar git polum

AURORA jam spargit polum: HPHE dawn is sprinkling in the
Terris dies illabitur: -^ east

Lucis resultat spiculum : Its golden shower, as day flows in ;

Discedat omne lubricum. Fast mount the pointed shafts of

light:
Farewell to darkness and to sin I

'Phantasma noctis exsulet: Away, ye midnight phantoms all!

Mentis reatus corruat: Away, despondence and despair!

Quidquid tenebris horridum Whatever guilt the night has

Nox attulit culpae, cadat. brought.

Now let it vanish into air.

*Ut mane, quod nos ultimum So, Lord, when that last morning

Hie deprecamur cernui, breaks,

Looking to which we sigh and
pray,

THE PSALTER

Cum luce nobis effluat, 0 may it to Thy minstrels prove

Hoc dum canore concrepat. The dawning of a better day.

*Deo Patri sit gloria, To God the Father glory be,

Ej usque soli Filio, And to His sole-begotten Son;

Ciun Spiritu Paraclito, Glory, 0 Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Nunc et per omne saeculum. While everlasting ages run,

Author: Ambrosian, 4th or 5th cent. Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are twelve
translations.

1. *'The dawn now overspreads the heavens; day glides
over the earth ; rays of light mount on high ; may every un-
clean thing depart."

2. ''Let phantoms of the night be banished; let guilt of
soul depart; whatever dreadful thing of evil the night
brought with it, let it vanish with the darkness. ' ' Constr. :
Quidquid horridum culpas nox attulit, tenebris cadat.

3. ''That on the last morning, together with the light,
that which w^e here humbly pray for, and what accords with
our song, may issue forth (come) to us." Constr. : Ut cum
luce (seterna) mane (illud) ultimum nobis effluat, quod nos
hie, dum hoc canore concrepat, deprecamur cernui. This
stanza is very obscure. It seems to contain a reference to
the present morning, and to the last morning — at the end
of time. In this sense it might be rendered: "While the
present morning resounds with song (canore) ^ we here with
profound humility beg {deprecamur cernui) that the last
morning may also dawn {effluat) for us with light eternal."
Abp. Bagshawe translates mane ultimum as referring to
Saturday — "On this morn of the week the last." The fol-
lowing is from an anonymous translation in the Hymnal
Noted:

So that last morning, dread and great,
Which we with trembling hope await.
With blessed light for us shall glow.
Who chant the song we sang below.

VESPERS HYMNS OF THE PSALTER

The theme, or subject matter, of the Vespers hymns for
the week is the work of the six days of creation as
recorded in the first chapter of Genesis. The Saturday
hymn, which is a hymn in honor of the Most Holy Trinity,
forms the only exception. The work of each of the six
days is explained in the article on Hexcemeron, in the Cath.
Encycl.

The authorship of these six hymns is not definitely
known. The series develops in an orderly manner the work
of creation, devoting four stanzas to the work of each day.
There is strong probability that these hymns are the work
of one and the same author, and that that author is no
other than the illustrious Pope and Doctor of the Church,
St. Gregory the Great (540-604). In this connection it is in-
teresting to record the opinion of the editors of the care-
fully edited Historical Edition of Hymns Ancient and Mod-
ern (1909) : ''The set," in their opinion, "must have come
from one author, and it is not improbable that that author
was St. Gregory" (p. 21). And again: '"^The series as a
whole is probably rightly identified with a set of hymns for
every evening in the week, which Irish records describe as
having been sent by St. Gregory to St. Columba. The ancient
preface to Columba 's hymn Altus prosator describes the
coming of St. Gregory's messengers with gifts, including a
set of hymns for the evenings of the week, and the sending
by St. Columba of his hymns to St. Gregory in return. The
series is not unworthy of such an author, and the hymns
go far to justify the tradition that ascribes to that most
versatile of popes a place among the Hymn-writers" (p.
XVII). See also the article on Hymnody, by Father
Clemens Blume, S. J., in the Cath. Encycl., Vol. VII., p. 602.

The Benedictine editors of the works of St. Gregory
credit him with eight hymns [Opera, Paris, 1705) ; H. A.
Daniel in his Thesaurus Hymnl. Vol. I, assigns him three
others. The Lucis Creator optime given below is one of the
eight hymns assigned him by the Benedictine editors.

The translations of these hymns in Part I of Mr. Orby
Shipley's Annus Sanctus are fro^l the Primer of 1706, and

THE PSALTER

are in all probability the work of the poet John Dryden,
who was received into the Church in 1685.

SUNDAY AT VESPERS
Lucis Creator optime

LUCIS Creator optime
Lucem dierum proferens,
Primordiis lucis novae,
Mundi parans originem:

'Qui mane junctum vesperi
Diem vocari prsecipis:
Illabitur tetrimi chaos,
Audi pieces cum fletibus.

0 BLEST Creator of the light,
Who mak'st the day with
radiance bright.
And o'er the forming world didst

call
The light from chaos first of all;

Whose wisdom joined in meet

array
The morn and eve, and named

them Day:
Night comes with all its darkling

fears ;
Regard Thy people's prayers and

tears.

Lest, sunk in sin, and whelmed
with strife.

They lose the gift of endless life;

While thinking but the thoughts
of time.

They weave new chains of woe and
crime.

But grant them grace that they
may strain

The heavenly gate and prize to
gain:

Each harmful lure aside to cast,

And purge away each error past.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only

Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and

Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Author: Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-

'Ne mens gravata crimine,
Vitae sit exsul munere,
Dum nil perenne cogitat,
Seseque culpis illigat.

*Coeleste pulset ostium:
Vitale tollat praemiima:
Vitemus omne noxium:
Purgemus omne pessimum.

^Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne ssculum.

MONDAY AT VESPERS

604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale.
There are twenty-one translations; Father Caswall's being
more widely used than any other. There are five transla-
tions in the Annus Sanctus. Theme : The work of the first
day — the creation of light. Dixit Dens: Fiat lux. Et facta
est lux. Et vidit Deus lucem quod esset bona; et divisit
lucem a tenebris. Appelavitque lucem Diem, et tenebras
Noctem; factumque est vespere et mane dies unus (Gen.
1, 3-5).

1. * * 0 august Creator of the light, who didst bring forth
the light of day, and didst begin the origin of the world with
the creation of new light;" Primordiis, origin, first begin-
ning. Parans (paro 1), prepare, design. Originem, creation.

2. "Who didst command that morning joined with even-
ing be called Day; foul darkness descends, hear Thou our
prayers with our weeping. ' '

3. ''Lest the soul burdened with sin be deprived of the
gift of life, while it thinks of nothing eternal and fetters
itself with sins. ' ' Exsul, an exile, banished person ; Constr.
with the abl. or gen.

4. ''Let it knock at the heavenly portal and bear away
the prize of life ; let us avoid everything harmful, and purge
out everything sinful." The subject is mens from the pre-
ceding stanza.

MONDAY AT VESPERS

24 Immense cceli Conditor

IMMENSE cceli Conditor, r\ GREAT Creator of the sky,

Qui mixta ne confunderent, ^-^ Who wouldest not the floods
Aquae fluenta dividens, on high

Coelum dedisti limitem. With earthly waters to confound,

But mad'st the firmament their
boiind;

^Firmans locum coelestibus, The floods above Thou didat

Simulque terrse rivulis; ordain;

The floods below Thou didst re-
strain:

THE PSALTER

Ut unda flammas temperet,
Terrae solum ne dissipent.

'Infunde nunc, piissime,
Donum perennis gratiae:
Fraudis novae ne casibus
No3 error atterat vetus.

*Lucem fides adaugeat:
Sic luminis jubar ferat:
Haec van a cuncta proterat:
Hanc falsa nulla comprimant.

"Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

That moisture might attemper

heat,
Lest the parched earth should ruin

meet.

Upon our souls, good Lord, bestow
Thy gift of grace in endless flow:
Lest some renewed deceit or wile
Of former sin should us beguile.

Let faith discover heav'nly light;
So shall its rays direct us right:
And let this faith each error chase,
And never give to falsehood place.

Grant this, 0 Father, ever One
With Christ, Thy sole-begotten

Son,
And Holy Ghost, whom all adore,
Reigning and blest forevermore.

Author: Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale.
There are seventeen translations. Theme : The work of the
second day — the creation of the firmament, which includes
the whole space between the surface of the earth and the
most distant stars. This work is thus narrated by Moses :
Dixit quoque Deus : Fiat firmamentum in medio aquarum, et
dividat aquas ab aquis. Et fecit Deus firmamentum,
divisitque aquas quae erant sub firmamento ab his, qu8B
erant super firmamentum. Et factum est ita. Vocavitque
Deus firmamentum Ccelum: et factum est vespere et mane
dies secundus (Gen. 1, 6-8).

1. " 0 great Creator of the heavens. Thou didst establish
the sky as a boundary, dividing the floods of water, lest
uniting they flow together." Fluentum, i, a stream, flood.
See the article on Firmament in the Cath. Encycl,

2. ' * Thou dost establish a place for the heavenly waters,
and also for the streams on earth, that water might moder-
ate the heat, lest it destroy the soil of the earth."

3. * * Pour forth now, most gracious Lord, the gift of Thy
never-failing grace, lest by the misfortune of some new de-
ception the old error should overwhelm us." Vetus error,

TUESDAY AT VESPERS

personified — our ancient enemy, the devil; or, former sins.
4. *'Let faith increase the light, and thus produce an
effulgence of light; may it trample under foot all vain
things ; may nothing false supplant it." Adaugeat, the Orig-
inal Text has inveniat; Neale translated the Original Text.
HcBc, sc, fides.

TUESDAY AT VESPERS

Telluris alme Conditor

TELLURIS alme Conditor,
Mundi solum qui separans,
Pulsis aquae molestiis,
Terram dedisti immobilem:

*Ut germen aptum proferens,
Fulvis decora floribus,
Foecunda fructu sisteret,
Pastmnque gratum redderet.

'Mentis perustae vulnera
Munda virore gratise:
Ut facta fletu diluat,
Motusque pravos atterat.

■pARTH'S mighty Maker, whose
■*-^ command

Raised from the sea the solid land ;
And drove each billowy heap

away,
And bade the earth stand firm for

aye:

That so, with flowers of golden

hue,
The seeds of each it might renew;
And fruit-trees bearing fruit might

yield,
And pleasant pasture of the field:

Our spirit's rankling wounds efface
With dewy freshness of Thy grace:
That grief may cleanse each deed

of ill,
And o'er each lust may triumph

still.

*Ju8sis tuis obtemperet:
Nullis malis approximet:
Bonis repleri gaudeat,
Et mortis ictum nesciat.

"Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculimi.

Let every soul Thy law obey,
And keep from every evil way;
Rejoice each promised good to

win.
And flee from every mortal sin.

Hear Thou our prayer, Almighty

King!
Hear Thou our praises, while we

sing.
Adoring with the heavenly host,
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

THE PSALTER

Author: Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation anon, in the
Hymnal Noted. There are twenty translations. First line
of Original Text: Telluris ingens Conditor. Theme: The
work of the third day, viz., the separation of the land
from the water, and the creation of every species of plant.
As recorded by Moses: Dixit vero Deus: Congregentur
aquae, quae sub ccelo sunt, in locum unum et appareat arida.
Et factum est ita. Et vocavit Deus aridam Terram ; congre-
gationesque aquarum appellavit Maria. . . . Et ait: Ger-
minet terra herbam virentem et facientem semen et lignum
pomiferum, f aciens f ructum juxta genus suum, cujus semen
in semetipso sit super terram. Et factum est ita. Et protulit
terra herbam virentem, et facientem semen juxta genua
suum, lignumque faciens fructum, et habens unumquodque
sementem secundum speciem suam. Et vidit Deus quod
esset bonum. Et factum est vespere et mane dies tertiua
(Gen. 1,9-13).

1. "Benignant Creator of the world, who didst divide the
surface of the earth, and driving off the troubled waters
didst firmly establish the land ; ' ' Solum, lit., ground, soil.

2. ''That it might bring forth appropriate produce, be
adorned with golden flowers, become prolific in fruits, and
yield agreeable sustenance." Decora and fecwida agree
with terra, understood. Sisteret, in the sense of existeret.
Pastum, food for men and beasts.

3. ' ' Cleanse by the freshness of Thy grace the wounds of
the sin-parched soul, that it may wash away with tears its
evil deeds, and suppress sinful emotions." Munda, imper.
of mundare. Virore, viror, oris (from vireo 2, to be fresh,
vigorous), freshness, power, vigor. Mens is the subj. of
diluat and atterat.

4. ' ' May it obey Thy commands ; may it draw nigh noth-
ing sinful; that it may rejoice to be filled with good, and
know not the stroke of death." Mortis ictus, the stroke of
death, i.e., mortal sin. The Original Text, translated above,
has actum for ictum.

WEDNESDAY AT VESPERS

Cceli Deus sanctissime

CCELI Deus sanctissime,
Qui lucidas mundi plagas
Candore pingis igneo,
Augens decoro lumine:

"Quarto die qui flammeara
Dum solis accendis rotam,
Lunee ministraa ordinem,
Vagosque cursus siderum:

•Ut noctibus, vel Iiunini
Diremptionis terminum,
Primordiis et mensium
Signum dares notissimum ;

*ExpelIe noctem cordium:
Absterge sordes mentium:
Resolve culpae vinculum:
Everte moles criminum.

'Preesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

OGOD, whose hand hath spread
the sky,
And all its shining hosts on high,
And painting it with fiery light,
Made it so beauteous and
bright:

Thou, when the fourth day was

begun,
Didst frame the circle of the sun,
And set the moon for ordered

change.
And planets for their wider

range:

To night and d^, by certain line,
Their varying bounds Thou didst

assign ;
And gav'st a signal, known and

meet.
For months begun and months

complete.

Enlighten Thou the hearts of men :
Polluted souls make pure again:
Unloose the bands of guilt within :
Remove the burden of our sin.

Grant this, 0 Father, ever One
With Christ Thy sole-begotten

Son,
Whom, with the Spirit we adore,
One God, both now and evermore.

Author: Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale.
There are thirteen translations. Theme : The work of the
fourth day. On the fourth day, God created the heavenly
bodies that adorn the firmament. The Mosaic account of the
stupendous work which the hymn endeavors to recount is
narrated with wonderful simplicity in Genesis 1, 14-19;

THE PSALTER

Dixit autem Deus: Fiant luniinaria in firmamento coeli, et
dividant diem ac noctem, et sint in signa et tempora, et dies
et annos: ut luceant in firmamento cceli, et illuminent
terram. Et factum est ita. Feoitque Deus duo luminaria
magna: luminare majus, ut prseesset diei: et luminare
minus, ut praeesset nocti : et stellas. Et posuit eas in firma-
mento coeli, ut lucerent super terram, et praeessent diei ac
nocti, et dividerent lucem ac tenebras. Et vidit Deus quod
esset bonum. Et factum est vespere et mane dies quartus.

1. ' ' Most Holy God of heaven, Thou dost adorn with fiery
brilliancy the lightsome regions of the universe, and dost
embellish them with becoming splendor : ' ' The light created
on the first day was a vast, luminous, nebulous mass, which
contracted and solidified on the fourth day, thus forming
the sun and the stars. These heavenly bodies constitute the
"lightsome regions" of the universe.

2. *■ * Thou, on the fourth day didst light up the fiery disk
of the sun, didst appoint the orbit of the moon, and the wan-
dering courses of the stars,"

3. ''That Thou mightest give to nights and days a bound-
ary-line of separation, and a conspicuous sign for the begin-
ning of the months. ' ' The boundary line between night and
day — darkness and daylight — is indicated by the sun, the
moon, and by the morning and evening stars. The new
moon announces the beginning of the lunar month.

4. ' ' Drive out the darkness from our hearts ; wipe away
the defilements of our souls; loosen the chains of guilt j
overturn the great load of our sins."

THURSDAY AT VESPERS

27 MagncB Deus potentice

ll/rAGNi^ Deus potentiae, r\ SOVEREIGN Lord of Na-

■I-TJ. Qui fertili nates aqua ^^ ture's might,

Partim relinquis gurgiti, Who bad'st the water's birth

Partiin levas in aera. divide;

Part in the heavens to take their
flight,

And part in ocean's deep to hide;

mmmttiit
mpimnvtt

ncM^m nuummnt
mtm mntnn^*^tm:

fymtmtmmm*tm
ttdrt ttfc*

ttmnbim

mmninv^M mm

iimiiittntttmitmt

nn^(imxmmm$m

mmMxxmitmnv

nmtmntxt\)ttxnihmtc^

mpitmxmmtG'f^t
timimnntl«tflflmo*(i
nmnwtmtx$*fm

Codex Latinus— Specimen page from a Psalter executed
in the Abbey of Meften, Bavaria, A.D. i^i^.

THURSDAY AT VESPERS

'Demersa lymphis imprimens,
Subvecta ccelis erigens:
Ut stirpe ab una prodita,
Diversa repleant loca:

•Largire cunctis servulis,
Quos mundat unda sanguinis,
Nescire lapsus criminura,
Nee ferre mortis taedium.

*Ut culpa nullum deprimat:
Nullum efferat jactantia:
Elisa mens ne concidat:
Elata mens ne corruat.

'Praesta, Pater piissime»
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum.

These low obscured, on airy wing
Exalted those, that either race.
Though from one element they

spring,
Might serve Thee in a different

place.

Grant, Lord, that we Thy servants

all,
Saved by Thy tide of cleansing

Blood,
No more 'neath sin's dominion

fall.
Nor fear the thought of death's

dark flood!

Thy varied love each spirit bless,

The humble cheer, the high con-
trol;

Check in each heart its proud
excess.

But raise the meek and contrite
soul!

This boon, 0 Father, we entreat.
This blessing grant, Eternal Son,
And Holy Ghost, the Paraclete,
Both now, and while the ages run.

Author t Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Teanslation by W. J. Cour-
thope. There are fourteen translations. Theme: The
work of the fifth day — the creation of the birds and fishes,
both of which sprang from a common source, viz., water.
The work of the fifth day is recorded in Genesis 1, 20-23 :
Dixit etiam Deus : Producant aquae reptile animse viventis,
et volatile super terram sub firmamento coeli. Creavitque
Deus cete grandia, et omnem animam viventem atque mota-
bilem, quam produxerant aquas in species suas, et omne
volatile secundum genus suum. Et vidit Deus quod esset
bonum. Benedixitque eis, dicens: Crescite et multipli-
camini, et replete aquas maris; avesque multiplicentur
super terram. Et factum est vespere et mane dies quintus.

1. **0 God of great power, who dost assign in part the

THE PSALTER

offsprings of the fertile water, to the deep, and in part dost
raise them aloft in the air;" Fertili: The water is called
fruitful since it is the common source from which the natos
— the birds and fishes — sprang. Natos (ex). Gurgiti, lit.,
a whirlpool ; the sea, the waters.

2. **Thou dost consign the fishes to the waters, and
liftest up the birds on high, that animals proceeding from
the same source might occupy different places." Supply
cmimalia after demersa, suhvecta, and prodita. Demersa,
all living creatures that make their home in the waters.
Suhvecta (from suhveho, to bring up from below), the
birds — brought up from the waters and assigned to the
air.

3. "Grant to all Thy servants, whom the stream of Thy
blood hath cleansed, to know not sinful falls, nor suffer
the loathsomeness of spiritual death." Largire, imper. of
largior. TJnda sanguinis: This is by some taken as equiva-
lent to unda et sanguis. It would then contain a reference
to the blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of
Our Lord (cf. John 19, 34).

4. **Let guilt depress no one; let pride exalt no one, lest
the despondent soul be disheartened, and the proud soul be
ruined. ' '

FRIDAY AT VESPERS

28 Hominis superne Conditor

TTOMINIS superne Conditor, "IMTAKER of man, who from Thy
"■•-■■ Qui cuncta solus ordinans, -'-*-■• throne
Humum jubes producere Dost order all things, God alone;

Reptantis et ferae genus: By whose decree the teeming earth

To reptile and to beast gave birth :

*Et magna rerum corpora. The mighty forms that fill the
Dictu jubentis vivida, land,

Per temporum certas vices Instinct with life at Thy com-
Obtemperare servulis: mand,

Are given subdued to humankind
For service in their rank assigned.

FRIDAY AT VESPERS

• Repelle, quod cupidinis From all Thy servants drive away

Ciente vi nos impetit, Whate'er of thought impure to-day

Aut moribus se suggerit, Hath been with open action blent,

Aut actibus se interserit. Or mingled with the heart's in-

tent.

*Da gaudiorura praemia. In heaven Thine endless joys be-

Da gratiarum munera: stow,

Dissolve litis vincula: And grant Thy gifts of grace

Adstringe pacis foedera. below;

From chains of strife our souls

release,
Bind fast the gentle bands of
peace.

"Praesta, Pater piissime, Grant this, 0 Father, ever One

Patrique compar Unice, With Christ, Thy sole-begotten

Cum Spiritu Paraclito Son,

Regnans per omne saeculum. Whom, with the Spirit we adore.

One God, both now and evermore.

Author: Probably by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. D.
Chambers, as altered in the English Hymnal. There are
sixteen translations. First line of Original Text: Plasma-
tor hominis Deus. Theme: The work of the sixth day —
the creation of brute animals and of man (Gen. 1, 24-31).
The following is verses 25 and 27 only: Et fecit Deus
bestias terrae juxta species suas, et jumenta et omne rep-
tile terrse in genere suo. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum.
. . . Et creavit Deus hominem ad imaginem suam: ad
imaginem Dei creavit ilium ; masculum et f eminam creavit
eos.

1. **0 august Creator of man, who alone dost dispose
all things. Thou didst command that the earth bring forth
reptiles and beasts." Genus reptantis=^Te-pti[isi: genus
/er£E=bestiae terrse.

2. ''And at the word of the Creator, the huge bodies of
created beings became instinct with life, to obey Thy
servants through determined changes of time." Per certas
vices temporum, i. e., while fixed periods of time shall last,
man is to rule over **the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the
air, and the beasts, and the whole earth" (Gen. 1, 26).

THE PSALTER

3. ** Drive from us whatever evil desire may assail us
with roused up violence, whether it attaches itself to our
morals or intertwines itself with our actions." Se vnter-
serit, or sows itself among. Abp. Bagshawe translates the
last two lines :

Or mingles with our inward lives,
Or in our actions plays its part.

4. ** Grant us the reward of heavenly joys; bestow upon
us gifts of grace; rend asunder the chains of strife; draw
closer the bonds of peace. ' '

SATURDAY AT VESPERS

29 Jam sol recedit igneus

JAM sol recedit igneus: A S fades the glowing orb of day,

Tu lux perennis Unites, -^ To Thee, great source of light,

Nostris, beata Trinitas, we pray;

Infunde lumen oordibus. Blest Three in One, to every heart

Thy beams of life and love im-
part.

'Te mane laudum carmine. At early dawn, at close of day,

Te deprecamur vespere; To Thee our vows we humbly pay;

Digneris ut te supplices May we, mid joys that never end,

Laudemus inter coelites. With Thy bright Saints in homage

bend.

•Patri, simulque Filio, To God the Father, and the Son,

Tibique sancte Spiritus, And Holy Spirit, Three in One,

Sicut fuit, sit jugiter Be endless glory, as before

Saeclum per omne gloria. The world began, so evermore.

Author: St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Potter, altered. First
line of Original Text: 0 Lux beata Trinitas. There are
thirty-two translations, twenty of which are from the
Roman Breviary Text. There are thirteen translations of
this hymn in the Annus Sanctus, two of which are from the
Original Text. This hymn is also used at Vespers on the
Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. The Original Text is
there given. It is interesting to compare the two texts.
See hymn 71.

SPECIAL DOXOLOGIES

1. **The fiery sun now sinks to rest: 0 Thou light
eternal, 0 Unity and Blessed Trinity, infuse Thy light
into our hearts. ' ' As the daylight departs we ask that the
eternal light shall not fail us.

2. *'We glorify Thee in the morning with a hymn of
praise, we supplicate Thee in the evening; deign that we,
Thy suppliants, may praise Thee among the Blessed."

3. Jugiter, adv., forever.

SPECIAL DOXOLOGIES

Special doxologies are provided in the Breviary for cer-
tain feasts and seasons. They are all written in iambic
dimeters, and they replace the ordinary doxologies in all
hymns of the same meter.

The following doxology is said from Christmas till the
Epiphany, during the Octave of Corpus Christi, on the
feasts of the Sacred Heart and Holy Name, and on feasts
of the Blessed Virgin and during their Octaves.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria, All honor, laud, and glory be.

Qui natus es de Virgine, 0 Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, All glory, as is ever meet.

In sempiterna saecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

For the Epiphany and Octave

Jesu, tibi sit gloria, All glory, Lord, to Thee we pay.

Qui apparuisti gentibus. For Thine Epiphany to-day;

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, All glory, as is ever meet.

In sempiterna saecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

la Pascbaltime

Deo Patri sit gloria, To Thee who, dead, again dost live,

Et Filio, qui a mortuis All glory, Lord, Thy people give;

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet,

In sempiterna ssecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

For Ascensiontide

Jesu, tibi sit gloria. All Glory, Lord, to Thee we pay.

Qui victor in coelum redis, Ascending o'er the stars to-day;

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, All glory, as is ever meet,

In sempiterna saecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

THE PSALTER
THE ANTIPHONS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

The Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin are four in number.
In Choir, one of the Antiphons is recited at the end of cer-
tain hours in accordance with the following general rules :
1. At the end of Compline, always. 2. At the end of Lauds,
when no other hour is to follow. 3. When Lauds is fol-
lowed by Prime and by any of the other hours, the Antiphon
is said at the end of the last hour recited. 4. At the end of
any hour recited in Choir when the Office is finished and
the members of the Choir are to retire from the chapel.

Out of Choir, an Antiphon is said at the end of Com-
pline, and at the end of Lauds if the Office is to end with
Lauds, otherwise at the end of the last hour recited.

Read the first article on Antiphon in the Cath. Encycl.
Read also the articles on: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave
Regina, Regina Coeli, and Salve Regina.

Alma Redemptoris Mater

\ LMA Redemptoris Mater
-^^ quae pervia coeli

MOTHER benign of our re-
deeming Lord,

Porta manes, et Stella maris, Star of the sea and portal of the

succurre cadenti, skies,

Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae Unto thy fallen people help
genuisti, afiford —

Fallen, but striving still anew to
rise.

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Thou who didst once, while

Genitorem, wond'ring worlds adored,

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis Bear thy Creator, Virgin then as

ab ore now,

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum 0 by thy holy joy at Gabriel's
miserere. word.

Pity the sinners who before tliee
bow.

Author: Ascribed to Hermann Contractus (1013-1054).
Meter Hexameter. Julian's Diet, of Hymnol. mentions
translations by Cardinal Newman, and by Fathers Caswall
and Wallace, O.S.B. For the above translation the editor

ANTIPHONS OF OUR LADY

has to thank the distinguished scholar, the Rt. Rev. Sir
David Oswald Hunter-Blair, O.S.B. Liturgical Use:
Antiphon of our Blessed Lady from the Vespers of the
Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent to the Feast
of the Purification, inclusive.

* * 0 loving Mother of the Redeemer, who dost remain the
ever accessible portal of heaven, and the star of the sea,
aid thy fallen people who strive to rise ; thou who, a Virgin
both before and after receiving that Ave from the mouth of
Gabriel, didst, while nature wondered, give birth to thy
Holy Creator; have pity on us sinners."

31 Ave Regina coelorum

A VE Regina coelorum, TTAIL, 0 Queen of heaven,

■^*- Ave Domina Angelorum: •*■■■- enthroned!

Salve radix, salve porta. Hail, by Angels Mistress owned!

Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,

Whence the world's true Light was
born :

Gaude Virgo gloriosa, Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,

Super omnes speciosa, Loveliest whom in heaven they

Vale, o valde decora, see:

Et pro nobis Christum exora. Fairest thou where all are fair.

Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

AuTHOKSHip and date of composition uncertain. It has
been in use since the twelfth century. Meter: Trochaic
dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are at
least four additional translations. Liturgical Use:
Antiphon proper to the season after the Purification, that
is, from the end of Compline of Feb. 2d (even should the
Feast of the Purification be transferred) until Maundy
Thursday, exclusive.

**Hail, Queen of Heaven; hail. Mistress of Angels; hail,
Root; hail, Portal whence came forth Light unto the
world. ' '

** Rejoice, 0 glorious Virgin, surpassing all in beauty; we
greet thee, Virgin most fair, intercede with Christ for us. ' '

Radix: "root of Jesse," i.e., an offshoot from the root

THE PSALTER

of Jesse; a descendant of Jesse, the father of David. The
Blessed Virgin was of the House of David ; Jesse therefore
was one of her ancestors. Mary is a root of Jesse, but her
Divine Son is the root of Jesse (cf. Is. 11, 1; Bom. 15, 12).

Regina coeli Icetare

"DEGINA coeli laetare, alleluja, JOY to thee, 0 Queen of heaven

Quia quem meruisti portare,
alleluja,
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluja,
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluja.

pl^ Alleluia.

He whom it was thine to bear;

Alleluia.
As He promised, hath arisen;

Alleluia.
Plead for us a pitying prayer;

Alleluia.

Author, unknown ; it is found in 14th cent, manuscripts.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are ten transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Antiphon of Our Lady from Com-
pline of Holy Saturday, inclusive, till None of the Saturday
after Pentecost, inclusive.

Salve Regina

SALVE Regina, mater miseri-
cordiae,
Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii
Hevse.

SAIL to the Queen who reigns
above,
Mother of clemency and love,
Hail, thou, our hope, life, sweet-
ness; we
Eve's banished children cry to
thee.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et
flentes in hac lacrimariun
valle.
Eja ergo, advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad
nos converte.

Et Jestmi, benedictum fructum

ventris tui,
Nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
0 clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo

Maria.

We from this wretched vale of

tears
Send sighs and groans unto thy

ears;
Oh, then, sweet Advocate, bestow
A pitying look on us below.

After this exile, let us see

Our Blessed Jesus, born of thee.

0 merciful, 0 pious Maid,

0 gracious Mary, lend thine aid.

ANTIPHONS OF OUR LADY

Author: Ascribed to Hermann Contractus (1013-1054).
Translation" from the Primer, 1685. There are fifteen
metrical translations, and the beautiful prose version which
is said after every Low Mass. Liturgical Use : Antiphon
of our Blessed Lady from the First Vespers of the Feast
of the Most Holy Trinity until None of the Saturday before
the first Sunday of Advent. Since Jan. 6, 1884, the Salve
Regina forms a part of the prayers which Pope Leo XIII
ordered to be said after every Low Mass.

Part II
tlf)t proper of tf^t i^eafi(on
ADVENT

34 The Great Antiphons of Advent

The seven Great Antiphons, or 0 Antiphons, as they are
called, are said, one each day, at the Magnificat in Vespers,
from December the 17th to the 23d, inclusive. Although not
written in meter, they are strikingly poetical in thought,
and replete with Scriptural allusions. Each Antiphon sa-
lutes the coming Messias under one of His many Scrip-
tural titles, and closes with a proper petition. The au-
thorship and date of composition are unknown. They are,
however, at least as old as the ninth century, and probably
much older. There are several translations in both prose
and verse. Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus contains a metri-
cal version by H. N. Oxenham. Read the articles on the
0 Antiphons, and on Advent, in the Cath, Encycl,

O Sapientia

OSAPIENTIA, quae ex ore Al- r\ WISDOM, that proceedest

tissimi prodiisti, attingens a ^^ from the mouth of the Most

fine usque ad finem, fortiter High, reaching from end to end

suaviterque disponens omnia: mightily, and sweetly disposing

veni ad docendum nos viam all things: come and teach us the

prudentise. way of prudence,

0 Sapientia: Ego (Sapientia) ex ore Altissimi prodivi
(Ecclus. 24, 5). Attingens: Attingit ergo a fine usque ad
finem fortiter, et disponit omnia suaviter (Wis. 8, 1).

PROPER OF THE SEASON
O Adonai

OADONAI, et Dux domus r\ ADONAI, and Leader of the

Israel, qui Moysi in igne ^^ House of Israel, who didst

flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in appear unto Moses in the burning

Sina legem dedisti: veni ad bush, and gavest Him the Law on

redimendum nos in brachio ex- Sinai: come and redeem us by

tento. Thy outstretched arm,

Adonai: This is the Hebrew substitute for the ineffable
name of Jehovah. It is rendered in the Vulgate by ** Do-
minus, ' ' and in the Douay Bible by ' *■ Lord. " It is retained
in both texts twice, viz., in Exodus 6, 3, and in Judith 16,
16. Read the foot-note on Exodus 6, 3, in the Douay Bible.
See also the articles on Adonai, and Jehovah, in the Cath.
Encycl. Domus Israel: The House of Israel, i.e., the
Israelites, the Jews, the chosen people of God. The ex-
pression occurs very often in the Old Testament, and a few
times in the New. Read the article on Jacob, and the be-
ginning of the article on Israelite, in the Cath. Encycl.
FlammcB rubi: Apparuitque ei (Moysi) Dominus in flamma
ignis de medio rubi (Exod. 3, 2). In Sina legem dedisti:
Cf. Exod., beginning with chapter 19.

O Radix

0 RADIX Jesse, qui stas in /~\ ROOT of Jesse, who standest

signum populorum, super ^^ as the ensign of the people,

quem continebunt reges os suum, before whom kings shall not open

quern Gentes deprecabuntur : veni their lips; to whom the Gentiles

ad liberandum nos, jam noli shall pray: come and deliver us,

tardare, tarry now no more.

Radix Jesse: In die ilia, radix Jesse, qui stat in signum
populorum, ipsum gentes deprecabuntur (Is. 11, 10). **Root
of Jesse," i.e., a descendant from Jesse, the father of David
(Rom. 15, 12). Our Lord, as the Son of the Virgin Mary,
was of the House of David, hence a root of Jesse. Signum
populorum: An allusion to the ensign of the Cross, around
which the nations would rally. Super quem: super ipsum
continebunt reges os suum (Is. 52, 15).

GREATER ANTIPHONS OF ADVENT

O Clavls David

OCLAVIS David, et sceptrum /~\ KEY of David, and Scepter
domus Israel; qui aperis, et ^^ of the House of Israel; who
nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo openest, and no man shutteth ; who
aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de shuttest, and no man openeth:
domo carceris, sedentem in tene- come and lead the captive from
bris, et umbra mortis. the prison-house, and him that

sitteth in darkness and in the
shadow of death.

Clavis David: Hsec dicit Sanctus et Verus, qui habet
clavem David : qui aperit, et nemo claudit : claudit, et nemo
aperit (Apoc. 3, 7). Cf. also Is. 22, 22. Et sceptrum: Et
Israel sceptrum hereditatis ejus (Jer. 51, 19). Et educ:
et educeres de conclusione vinctum, de domo carceris seden-
tes in tenebris (Is. 42, 7).

O Orlens

OORIENS, splendor lucis r\ ORIENT, Splendor of the
astemae, et sol justitiae: veni, ^-^ Eternal Light, and Sun of
et illumina sedentes in tenebris, Justice: come and enlighten them
et umbra mortis. that sit in darkness and in the

shadow of death.

Oriens: Variously rendered, dayspring, sunrise, dawn,
east. It is one of the many Scriptural titles of the Mes-
sias, who was to be the Light of the world (John 8, 12),
the Sun of Justice (Mai. 4, 2), the Orient from on high who
visited us (Luke 1, 78), and who from eternity has been the
Splendor of the Father's glory (Heb. 1, 3). Splendor:
Candor est enim lucis aeternae (Wis. 7, 26). Illumina: II-
luminare his, qui in tenebris, et in umbra mortis sedent
(Luke 1, 79).

O Rex Qentium

OREX Gentium, et desideratus r\ KING of the Gentiles, yea,
earum, lapisque angularis, ^-^ and the desire thereof, the
qui f acis utraque unum : veni, et Corner-stone that makest both one :
salva horainem, quern de Ikno come and save man, whom Thou
formasti. hast made out of the slime of the

earth.

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Rex Gentium: Erit radix Jesse, et qui exurget regere
gentes, in eum gentes sperabunt (Rom. 15, 12; Is. 11, 10).
Desideratus: et veniet desideratus cunctis gentibus (Agg.
2, 8). Lapis angularis: Christ is the Corner-stone (Eph.
2, 20). He is also our peacemaker who maketh both one
(Eph. 2, 14). The Jews and Gentiles are the two who
are made one. Christ died for all, and He founded a
Church to save all men without distinction of race. De
limo: Formavit igitur Dominus Deus hominem de limo
terras (Gen. 2, 7).

O Emmanuel

0 EMMANUEL, Rex et legifer r\ EMMANUEL, our king and
noster, exspectatio gentium, ^^ lawgiver, the expectation of
et Salvator earum: veni ad sal- all nations and their Saviour:
vandum nos Domine Deus noster. come and save us, 0 Lord our

God.

Emmanuel: Cf. Matt. 1, 23. Exspectatio gentium: et
ipse erit exspectatio gentium (Gen. 49, 10). Read the ar-
ticle on Emmanuel, in the Cath. Encycl.

The following beautiful paraphrase of five of the above
Antiphons is found in a hymn which dates from the be-
ginning of the eighteenth century. The translation is by
J. M. Neale.

34B Vent» veni, Emmanuel

VENI, veni, Emmanuel; /~\ COME, 0 come, Emmanuel,

Captivum solve Israel, ^-^ And ransom captive Israel,

Qui gemit in exilio. That mourns in lonely exile here,

Privatus Dei Filio. Until the Son of God appear.
Gaude! gaude! Emmanuel Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

"Veni, o Jesse Virgula; O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Ex hostis tuos imgula. Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

De specu tuos tartari From depths of hell Thy people

Educ, et antro barathri. save,

Gaude! gaude! Emmanuel And give them victory o'er the

Nascetur pro te, Israel. grave.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

ADVENT

•Veni, veni, o Oriens;
Solare nos adveniens;
Noctis depelle nebulas
Dirasque noctis tenebras.
Gaude! gaude! Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

*Veni, Clavis Davidica;
Regna reclude coelica;
Fac iter tutum superum,
Et claude vias inferum.
Gaude! gaude! Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

'Veni, veni, Adonai,
Qui populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice
In ma j estate gloriae.

Gaude! gaude! Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

0 come, Thou Dayspring, frwn on

high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing

nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of

night.
And death's dark shadows put to

flight.
Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

0 come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly

home;
Make safe the way that leads on

high
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

0 come, Adonai, Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's

height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, 0 Israel.

Creator alme siderum

CREATOR alme siderum,
interna lux credentium,
Jesu Redemptor omnium,
Intende votis supplicum.

BRIGHT Builder of the heaven-
ly poles.
Eternal light of faithful souls,
Jesus, Redeemer of mankind.
Our humble prayers vouchsafe to
mind.

'Qui daemonis ne fraudibus
Periret orbis, impetu
Amoris actus, languidi
Mundi medela factus es.

Who, lest the fraud of hell's black

king
Should all men to destruction

bring,
Didst, by an act of generous love,
The fainting world's physician

prove.

PROPER OF THE SEASON

'Commune qui mundi nefas
Ut expiares; ad crucem
E Virginis sacrario
Intacta prodis victima.

*Cujus potestas gloriae,
Nomenque cum primum sonat;
Et coelites et inferi
Tremente curvantur genu.

Te deprecamur ultimae
Magnum diei Judicem,
Armis supernae gratiae
Defende nos ab hostibus.

'Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sseculorum ssecula.

Who, that Thou mightst our ran-
som pay

And wash the stains of sin away,

Wouldst from a Virgin's womb
proceed

And on the Cross a Victim bleed.

Whose glorious power, whose sav-
ing name

No sooner any voice can frame.

But heaven and earth and hell
agree

To honor them with trembling
knee.

Thee, Christ, who at the latter

day
Shalt be our Judge, we humbly

pray
Such arms of heavenly grace to

send
As may Thy Church from foee

defend.

Be glory given and honor done
To God the Father and the Son
And to the Holy Ghost on high,
From age to age eternally.

Author : Ambrosian, 7tli cent. Meter : Iambic dimeter.
Translation : a cento from the Primer, 1685^ and the Even-
img Office, 17 10. First line of Original Text ; Conditor ahne
siderum. The Advent hymns were greatly altered by the
revisers under Pope Urban VIII (1632). Only one line of
this hymn was left unaltered, and only twelve words of the
original were retained. Including both texts there are
about thirty translations, nine of which are in Mr. Shipley's
Annus Smictus, both texts being represented. Liturgical
Use: Vespers hymn for Sundays and week-days during
Advent.

The hymns and antiphons of Advent present in a concise
and admirable manner the leading ideas of that holy sea-
sou.

ADVENT

1. '^0 Jesus, kind Creator of the stars, eternal light
of the faithful, Redeemer of all, give ear to the prayers
of Thy suppliants. ' ' Creator: Omnia per ipsum facta sunt :
et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est (John 1, 3).
Lux: Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem venien-
tem in hunc mundum (John 1, 9).

2. ' ' Thou wast impelled by the power of love to become
a remedy for the languid world, lest mankind should perish
through the cunning of the devil." Constr. Qui actus
impetu amoris, factus es medela mundi languidi, ne orbis
fraudibus daemonis periret. Actus=comiiiot\is.

3. *'To expiate the common guilt of mankind. Thou, a
spotless Victim, didst go forth to the Cross from the sacred
womb of a Virgin."

4. * ' The might of Thy glory is such that as soon as Thy
name is uttered, the blessed and the damned alike bend
with trembling knee." Cujus (est). Nomen: Ut in nomine
Jesu omne genu flectatur ccelestium, terrestrium et infer-
norum (Philip. 2, 10).

5. ''We beseech Thee, great Judge of the last day, de-
fend us from our enemies with weapons of heavenly grace. ' '

36 Verbum supernum prodiens

VERBUM supernum prodiens, /"^ELESTIAL Word, to this our
E Patris astern i sinu ^ earth

Qui natus orbi subvenis, Sent down from God's eternal

Labente cursu temporis: clime.

To save mankind by mortal birth
Into a world of change and time;

'Illimiina nunc pectora, Enlighten our hearts; vain hopes

Tuoque amore concrema, destroy;

Ut cor caduca deserens And in Thy love's consuming fire

Coeli voluptas impleat. Fill all the soul with heavenly joy,

And melt the dross of low desire.

'Ut, cum tribunal Judicis So when the Judge of quick and

Damnabit igni noxios, dead

Shall bid His awful summons
come,

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Et vox arnica debitum To whelm the guilty aoul with

Vocabit ad coelum pios. dread,

And call the blessed to their home,

* Non esca flammarum nigros Saved from the whirling, black

Volvamur inter turbines, abyss,

Vultu Dei sed compotes Forevermore to us be given

Coeli fruamur gaudiis. To share the feast of saintly bliss,

And see the face of God in heaven.

To God the Father and the Son
"Patri simulque Filio, Our songs with one accord we

Tibique sancte Spiritus, raise;

Sicut fuit, sit jugiter And to the Holy Spirit, One

Saeclum per omne gloria. With Them, be ever equal praise.

Author: Ambrosian, 5th or 6th cent. Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by W. J. Courthope. There are
about thirty translations, four of which are in the Annus
Sanctus. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on Sundays
and week-days during Advent. There is an article on this
hymn in the Cath. Encycl.

1. * ' 0 Heavenly "Word proceeding from the bosom of the
Eternal Father, Thou wast born, and didst come to the aid
of the world, in the fleeting course of time. ' ' Verhunij the
Word, the Eternal Son (cf. John 1, 1-14). Constr.: Qui
labente cursu temporis (abl. absol.) natus es (et) orbi sub-
venis.

2. "Enlighten Thou our hearts and inflame them with
Thy love, that the joys of heaven may fill the heart which
abandons perishable things." Constr.: Ut voluptas coeli
impleat cor deserens caduca.

3-4. * * That when the tribunal of the Judge shall condemn
the guilty to the flames, and a friendly voice shall call the
just to the heaven due to them, may we then not be cast
headlong into the black whirlpool as the food of flames, but
participating in the beatific vision, may we enjoy the
pleasures of heaven." Dehitum: due to them, because
promised to them by Christ. Constr. : Ut non volvamur
esca flammarum inter nigros turbines, sed compotes vultu
Dei fruamur gaudiis cceli.

ADVENT
En clara vox redarguit

EN clara vox redarguit
Obscura quaeque personans:
Procul fugentur somnia:
Ab alto Jesus promicat.

'Mens jam resurgat torpida,
Non amplius jacens humi:
Sidus refulget jam novum,
Ut tollat omne noxium.

' En Agnus ad nos mittitur
Laxare gratis debitum:
Omnes simul cmn lacrimis
Precemur indulgentiam:

*Ut, cum secundo fulserit,
Metuque mundum cinxerit,
Non pro reatu puniat,
Sed nos pius tunc protegat.

''Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In ssculorum ssecula.

TJARK, a herald voice is call-

"Christ is nigh," it seems to say;
"Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day."

Startled at the solemn warning.
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dis-
pelling.
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from

heaven ;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

So when next He comes with

glory.
Wrapping all the earth in fear.
May He then as our defender
On the clouds of heaven appear.

Honor, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

Author: Ambrosian, 5tli cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall, first line altered. First
line of Original Text: Vox clara ecce intonat. There are
twenty-seven translations, seven of which are from the
Original Text. The Annus Sanctus contains three trans-
lations. This beautiful hymn breathes the spirit of Ad-
vent: it is an excellent summary of the Epistle (Rom. 13,
11-14), and of the Gospel (Luke 21, 25-33) of the first Sun-
day of Advent. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds on Sun-
days and week-days during Advent.

1. **Lo, a clear voice exhorts, penetrating everything
darksome: Let dreams be banished afar: Jesus shines
forth from heaven." Clara vox: These words are probably

PROPER OF THE SEASON

an allusion to the great preacher of penance, St. John the
Baptist, who said of himself : Ego vox clamantis in deserto:
dirigite viam Domini, sicut dixit Isaias propheta (John
1, 23: Is. 40, 3). Redarguit: lit., to contradict, refute; to
admonish, urge to penance. This stanza might also be
rendered: ''Behold, a clear penetrating voice reveals the
falsity of darksome things," etc.

2. ''Let the slothful soul now rise, no longer remaining
prostrate on the ground: a new star now shines forth to
take away everything harmful. ' ' Sidus novum = Christus.
Christ was the star that was to rise out of Jacob (Num.
24, 17), and take away the sins of the world (John 1, 29).
Noxium, sinful.

3. "Behold, the Lamb is sent to us, to pay our debt
gratuitously: together, let us all with tears pray for par-
don." Agnus: In the Scriptures, the lamb is a most com-
mon symbol of Our Lord (cf. Is. 53, 7; Jer. 11, 19; John
1, 29).

4. "That, when for the second time He comes resplen-
dent and girdles the world with fear, He may not punish
us according to our deserts, but may He then lovingly pro-
tect us. ' ' Fulserit = fulgens advenerit.

CHRISTMASTIDE
38 Jesu, Redemptor omnium

JESU, Redemptor omnium, TESUS, the Ransomer of man,

Quem lucis ante originem J Who, ere created light began,

Parem paternae gloriae Didst from the sovereign Father

Pater supremus edidit. spring,

His power and glory equalling.

^Tu lumen, et splendor Patris, The Father's Light and Splendor

Tu spes perennis omnium, Thou,

Intende quas fundunt preces Their endless Hope to Thee that

Tui per orbem servuli. bow;

Accept the prayers and praise

to-day
That through the world Thy
servants pay.

100

CHRISTMASTIDE

'Memento, rerum Conditor,
Nostri quod dim corporis,
Sacrata ab alvo Virginis
Nascendo, formam sumpseris.

*Testatur hoc prsesens dies,
Currens per anni circulum.
Quod solus e sinu Patris
Mundi salus adveneris.

'Hunc astra, tellus, aequora,
Hunc omne quod coelo subest,
Salutis Auctorem novae
Novo salutat cantico.

* Et nos, beata quos sacri
Rigavit unda sanguinis;
Natalis ob diem tui
Hymni tributum solvimus.

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna ssecula.

Salvation's Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man's flesh becam'st a
Child.

Thus testifies the present day.
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation's source

alone,
Proceededst from the Father's

throne.

The heavens above, the rolling

main
And all that earth's wide realms

contain,
With joyous voice now loudly

sing
The glory of their new-born King.

And we who, by Thy precious

Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked

for God,
On this the day that saw Thy

birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed

earth.

0 Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.

Author: Ambrosian, 6tli cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale, Father Potter, and the Even-
ing OfiQce, 1710. First line of Original Text: Christe, Re-
demptor omnium. There are twenty-five translations, six
of which are in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use : Hymn
for Vespers and Matins on Christmas Day.

1. ''Jesus, the Eedeemer of all, who, being the equal of
the Father's glory, was begotten of the Sovereign Father
before the beginning of light." The three Persons of the
Holy Trinity are co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial.

101

PROPER OF THE SEASON

2. *'Thou light and splendor of the Father, Thou never-
failing hope of all, give ear to the prayers which Thy ser-
vants throughout the world pour forth." In the hymna,
Christ is repeatedly styled, lux, juhar, lumen, and splen-
dor Patris. Cum sit splendor glorise et figura substantiie
ejus (1 Heb. 1, 3).

3. "Remember, 0 Creator of the world, that in being
born Thou didst once assume the form of our body from the
sacred womb of a Virgin."

4. ''The present day (the Feast of Christmas) recurring
in the course of each year, bears witness to this, that Thou
alone didst come forth from the bosom of the Father, the
salvation of the world." Solus = Filius unigenitus.

5. ' ' The stars, the earth, and the seas, and every creature
under heaven doth greet Him with a new canticle, as the
author of the new salvation." Salutis novae: the New Law
with its Sacraments and other means of grace.

6. ''"We also, whom the sacred stream of Thy blood hath
cleansed, pay Thee the tribute of a hymn on Thy birth-
day."

39 A soils ortus cardine

ASOLIS ortus cardine tpROM lands that see the sun

Ad usque terrae limitem, ■■- arise

Christum canamus Principem, To earth's remotest boundaries,
Natum Maria Virgine. The Virgin-born to-day we sing,

The Son of Mary, Christ the King.

' Beatus auctor saeculi Blest Author of this earthly frame,

Servile corpus induit: To take a servant's form He came,

Ut came carnem liberans, That, liberating flesh by flesh,

Ne perderet quos condidit. Whom He had made might live

afresh.

* Cast8e Parentis viscera In that chaste parent's holy womb

Coelestis intrat gratia: Celestial grace hath found its

Venter Puellee bajulat home;

Secreta, quae non noverat. And she, as earthly bride un-

known,
Yet calls that Offspring blest her
own.

102

CHRISTMASTIDE

•Domus pudici pectoris
Templura repente fit Dei:
Intacta nesciens virum,
Concepit alvo Filium.

'Enititur puerpera,
Quem Gabriel praedixerat,
Quern ventre Matris gestiens,
Baptista clausum senserat.

'Fceno jacere pertulit:
Prsesepe non abhorruit:
Et lacte modico pastus est,
Per quem nee ales esurit.

^ Gaudet chorus coelestium,
Et Angeli canunt Deo;
Palamque fit pastoribus
Pastor, Creator omnium.

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

The mansion of the modest breast
Becomes a shrine where God shall

rest:
The pure and undefiled one
Conceived in her womb the Son.

That Son, that Royal Son she bore,

Whom Gabriel's voice had told
afore;

Whom, in His mother yet con-
cealed,

The infant Baptist had revealed.

The manger and the straw He bore,
The cradle did He not abhor;
By milk in infant portions fed.
Who gives e'en fowls their daily
bread.

The heavenly chorus filled the

sky.
The Angels sang to God on high,
What time to shepherds, watching

lone,
They made creation's Shepherd

known.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
0 Jesu, Virgin -born to Thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete,

Author: Sedulius, 5tli cent. Meter; Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale. There are eighteen transla-
tions, two of which are in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical
Use : Hymn for Lauds on Christmas Day. This is a part
(from A to G) of an alphabetical hymn, the stanzas of
which begin with successive letters of the alphabet. This
hymn and No. 46, Crudelis Herodes Deum, are parts of the
same hymn. Together they give in verse a devout descrip-
tion of the life of Christ.

1. ''From the beginning of the rising of the sun, to the
uttermost bounds of the earth, let us sing Christ, the Lord,
bom of the Virgin Mary." Car dine, lit., a hinge, also in

103

PROPEU OF THE SEASON

astron. a pole : cardo mundi, cardo coeli. A solis ortu usque
ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini (Ps. 112, 3).

2. ''The Blessed Creator of the world assumed a servile
body, that by flesh, He might liberate flesh, lest He lose
those whom He had created.'' Servile corpus: formam
servi accipiens (Phil. 2, 7). Ut came carnem lihercms:
That by His incarnation He might liberate mankind from
the power of the devil.

3. ''A heavenly grace enters the bosom of the chaste
Mother : the womb of a virgin bears secrets, which she had
not thought of." Gratia, in the sense of the "Author of
grace." Seer eta: the incarnate Son of God. Non noverat:
Mary had no foreknowledge of the mystery that was to be
wrought in her womb.

4. * ' The mansion of her modest bosom suddenly becomes
the temple of God: unsullied, knowing not man, she con-
ceived in her womb a Son." Nesciens virum, (cf. Luke 1,
34-41).

5. ''The Mother brought forth Him whom Gabriel had
predicted, whom the Baptist, exulting had perceived,
though still enclosed in the womb of his mother." Puerpera,
from puer and par ere. Baptista gestiens: Et factum est,
ut audivit salutationem Marise Elisabeth, exultavit infans
in utero ejus: et repleta est Spiritu sancto Elisabeth (Luke
1, 41). The first chapter of St. Luke's Gospel is very beau-
tiful. It contains two sublime canticles, the Magnificat
(verses 46-55), and the Benedictus (verses 68-79).

6. "He deigned to lie on hay, nor did He disdain the
crib : and He, by whose providence not even a bird suffers
hunger, is fed with a little milk." Prcesepe, is, manger,
crib ; this word occurs in several forms ; see Glossary.

7. "The choir of Saints rejoices, the Angels hymn their
God, and the Shepherd, the Creator of all, became known
to the shepherds." For the Scriptural references in this
stanza, read Luke 2, 13-18.

104

CHRISTMASTIDE
Adeste, fideles

ADESTE, fideles,
Lseti triumphantes ;
Venite, venite in Bethlehem;
Natum videte
Regem Angelorum:
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

* Deum de Deo,

Lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera:

Deum verum,

Genitum, non factum:
Venite adoremus Dominum.

' Cantet nunc lo!

Chorus angelorum:
Cantet nunc aula ccelestium,

Gloria

In excelsis Deo! .
Venite adoremus Dominum.

COME, all ye faithful.
Joyful and triumphant,
0 hasten, 0 hasten to Bethlehem;
See in a manger
The Monarch of Angels.
O come let us worship
Christ the Lord.

God of God eternal,
Light from Light proceeding,
He deigns in the Virgin's womb
to lie;
Very God of very God,
Begotten, not created.
0 come, etc.

Sing alleluia.
All ye choirs of Angels;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven
above,
Glory to God
In the highest.
0 come, etc.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
To Thee, 0 Jesus, be glory given;
True Word of the Father,
In our flesh appearing.
0 come let us worship
Christ the Lord.

• Ergo qui natus

Die hodierna,
Jesu tibi sit gloria:

Patris aeterni

Verbum caro factum!

Venite adoremus,

Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

AuTHOK unknown. 18th cent. Translation by Canon
Oakeley. There are forty translations. The complete hymn
consists of eight stanzas, four of which are commonly used
at Benediction during Christmastide. There are four
translations of this hymn in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus;
the one by J. C. Earle is a translation of the complete
hymn. The Adeste Fideles is not found in the Breviary or
Missal. It is a beautiful invitation to the faithful **to
come to Bethlehem" in spirit, and worship the new-born
Saviour.

105

PROPER OF THE SEASON

**With the exception of the Dies Irce and the Stahat
Mater," says W. J. Grattan-Flood, Mus.D., '4t is doubt-
ful if there is a more popular hymn in our churches than
the Adeste Fideles" {The Dolphin, Dec, 1905). The above
translation is literal. In 1. 15, lo is an inter j. expressing
great joy. Line 17, aula coelestium, the court of the blessed,
the heavenly court.

The Holy Innocents

Audit tyr annus anxius

AUDIT tyrannus anxius
Adesse regum Principem,
Qui nomen Israel regat,
Teneatque David regiam.

*Exclamat amens nuntio:
Successor instat, pellimur:
Satelles, i, ferrum rape:
Perfunde cunas sanguine.

WITH terror doth the tyrant
hear
The King of kings hath come to

dwell
Where David's court shall widely

rear
A sceptered reign o'er Israel.

Then cries out, raging, at the

word:
"He comes to stand where we have

stood :
Hence, soldier, and with ruthless

sword
Deluge the cradles deep with

blood!"

Quid proficit tantum nefas?
Quid crimen Herodem juvat?
Unus tot inter funera
Impune Christus tollitur.

*Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

What profiteth a crime so dread?
What hope shall Herod's bosom

sway?
Alone amidst the thronging dead.
The Christ is safely borne away!

All glory for this blessed morn
To God the Father ever be;
All praise to Thee, 0 Virgin-bom,
All praise, 0 Holy Ghost, to Thee.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Monsignor Henry. There are eleven trans-
lations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Matins on the Feast of

106

THE HOLY INNOCENTS

the Holy Innocents. This hymn is a cento from the twelfth
and last poem in the Cathemerinon of Prudentius, and in
its full form it contains 208 lines. First line of complete
hymn: Quicumque Christum quceritis. Four beautiful
centos from this hymn were included in the Breviary by
Pius V (1568). One of these centos begins with the first
line of the complete hymn. The following are the four
centos, their composition, and their liturgical use :

1. Quicumque Christum quceritis (11. 1-4; 37-44; 85-88).
Transfiguration.

2. 0 sola magnarum urhium (11. 77-80; 5-8; 61-64; 69-
72). Epiphany.

3. Audit tyrannus anxius (11. 93-100; 133-136). Holy
Innocents.

4. Salvete flores martyrum (11. 125-132). Holy Inno-
cents.

There is an article in the Cath. Encyl., treating of all four
hymns, under the general heading: Quicumque Christum
quceritis.

1. ''The anxious tyrant hears that the King of kings is
come, who would rule the people of Israel and possess the
royal throne of David." Tyrannus anxius: Audiens autem
Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo
(Matt. 2, 3). Regum Princeps: Jesus Christ — ^the prince
of the kings of the earth (Apoc. 1, 5). Nomen Israel =
populus Israel. Regiam (sc. sedem). Et dabit illi Dominus
Deus sedem David patris ejus (Luke 1, 32).

2. ''Kendered frantic by the message, he cries out: *A
successor is at hand, we are driven away: go, executioner,
take the sword, drench the cradles with blood ! ' " Satelles,
sing, for pi., attendants, bodyguard, soldiers. For the
Scriptural account of the massacre of the Holy Innocents,
see Matt. 2, 16-18. See also the articles on Holy Innocents
and Herod, in the Cath. Encycl.

3. "But what availeth so great an outrage? What
profiteth Herod this crime? Among so many slain, Christ
alone is safely borne away. ' ' Unus = solus. Funera, lit.,
funerals ; corpses, also death, esp. a violent death.

107

PROPER OF THE SEASON
42 Salvete flores Martyrum

SALVETE flores Martyrum, A LL hail, ye little Martyr

Quos lucis ipso in limine -^^ flowers,
Christi insecutor sustulit, Sweet rosebuds cut in dawning

Ceu turbo nascentes rosas. hours!

When Herod sought the Christ to

find
Ye fell as bloom before the wind.

^Vos prima Christi victima. First victims of the Martyr bands,

Grex immolatorum tener. With crowns and palms in tender

Aram sub ipsam simplices hands,

Palma et coronis luditis. Around the very altar, gay

And innocent, ye seem to play.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria. All honor, laud, and glory be,

Qui natus es de Virgine, O Jesu, Virgin-bom to Thee;

Cmn Patre et almo Spiritu, All glory, as is ever meet

In sempiterna saecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

Authoe: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Athelstan Riley. There are about twenty-
five translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds on the
Feast of the Holy Innocents, This hymn is a cento from
the Cathemerinon. See the Notes on the preceding hymn.

1. *'Hail, flowers of the martyrs, whom on the very
threshold of life, the persecutor of Christ snatched away
even as the whirlwind, the budding roses." Lucis, lit.,
light ; fig., life ; or in a mystical sense, Christ.

2. *'As the first sacrifice for Christ, a tender flock of
victims, with sweet simplicity, ye play with your palms
and crowns at the very altar side." Aram sub ipsam:
The Original Text has a7ite for sub. Vidi subtus aitare
animas interfectorum propter verbum Dei (Apoc. 6, 9).
This stanza has been greatly admired. It presents a pic-
ture of great beauty. The following is Father Caswall's
translation of this hymn, of which Monsignor Henry says :
"Not to speak of the beauty and fidelity of the rendering,
the trochaic rhythm vividly conveys the sense of the sud-
denness of the onslaught, the ruthlessness and swiftness of
the destruction." {Cath. Encycl. Vol. XII, p. 607).

108

THE HOLY NAME

42B

FLOWERS of martyrdom all
hail!
Smitten by the tyrant foe
On life's threshold, — as the

gale
Strews the roses ere they 'blow.

First to bleed for Christ, sweet

lambs!
What a simple death ye died!
Sporting with your wreaths and

palms
At the very altar side!

Honor, glory, virtue, merit.
Be to Thee, 0 Virgin's Son!
With the Father, and the Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

The Holy Name of Jesus

VESPERS

Jesti dulcis memoria

JESU dulcis memoria,
Dans vera cordis gaudia:
Sed super mel, et omnia,
Ejus dulcis praesentia.

^Nil canitur suavius,
Nil auditur jucundius.
Nil cogitatur dulcius,
Quam Jesus Dei Filius.

'Jesu spes poenitentibus,
Quam pius es petentibus!
Quam bonus te quaerentibus !
Sed quid invenientibus?

*Nec lingua valet dicere,
Nee littera exprimere:
Expertus potest credere.
Quid sit Jesum diligere.

"Sis Jesu nostrum gaudium.
Qui es futurus praemium:
Sit nostra in te gloria,
Per cuncta semper saecula.

JESU, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can

frame.
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Thy blest

Name,
0 Saviour of mankind!

O Hope of every contrite heart,

O Joy of all the meek,

To those who fall, how kind

Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah!

this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but His loved ones know.

Jesu, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesu, be Thou our glory now.
And through eternity.

109

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Author: St. Bernard (1091-1153). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. Liturgical
Use: This and the two following centos are used on the
Feast of the Holy Name, which is celebrated on the Sun-
day between the Circumcision and the Epiphany, or failing
such a Sunday, on January 2d.

The complete hymn as found in the Benedictine edition
of the Opera of St. Bernard contains forty-eight stanzas.
There are six translations of the complete hymn. Many
centos from the hymn, including the three given here for
Vespers, Matins, and Lauds, have been translated more
frequently. There are two translations of these three
centos in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus.

The Jesu dulcis memoria is a hymn of surpassing sweet-
ness, and it has been universally accorded a place among
the greatest hymns of the Church. According to Mr.
James Mearns, the assistant editor of Julian's Dictionary
of Hymnology, this hymn is "The finest and most charac-
teristic specimen of St. Bernard's 'subjective loveliness'
and its honied sweetness vindicates his title of * Doctor
Melifluus.' " Father Caswall's much admired translation
preserves much of the "honied sweetness" of the original.

The ascription of this hymn to St. Bernard has been
called in question. Dom Pothier has discovered a copy of
it in manuscripts of about the year 1070, in which it is
ascribed to a Benedictine abbess. Father Blume, S.J., in
the article on Hymnody in the Cath. Encycl. pronounces
against its ascription to St. Bernard. On the other hand
Mr. James Mearns says: "This hymn has been generally
(and there seems little reason to doubt correctly) ascribed
to St. Bernard." {Diet, of Hymnal.) There is an article on
this hymn in the Index Vol. of the Cath. Encycl.

1. "Jesus! how sweet is the very thought! giving true
joys of heart; but surpassing honey and all sweetness is
His sweet presence." Supply est in lines 1 and 4. The
Holy Name has Jesu m all the cases except the nom. and
ace.

2. "Nothing more sweet can be sung, nothing more
pleasant can be heard, nothing more lovely can be thought
of, than Jesus, the Son of God."

110

THE HOLY NAME

3. *'0 Jesus, the hope of penitents, how kind art Thou
to those who pray! How good to those who seek Thee!
But what to those who find!" This question is answered
in the following stanza.

4. ''No tongue can tell, nor can written word express it:
only one who knows from experience can say what it means
to love Jesus."

5. "Mayest Thou, 0 Jesus, be our joy, as Thou wilt be
our reward : in Thee be our glory forever. ' '

MATINS

Jesu Rex admirabilis

JESU Rex admirabilis,
Et triumphator nobilis,
Dulcedo ineffabilis,
Totus desiderabilis.

•Quando cor nostrum visitas,
Tunc lucet ei Veritas,
Mundi vilescit vanitas,
Et intus fervet caritas.

'Jesu dulcedo cordium,
Fons vivus, lumen mentium,
Excedens omne gaudium,
Et omne desiderium.

OJESU, King most wonderful
Thou conqueror renowned,
Thou sweetness most ineffable,
In whom all joys are found!

When once Thou visitest the heart,
Then truth begins to shine;
Then earthly vanities depart;
Then kindles love divine.

O Jesu, light of all below.
Thou fount of life and fire,
Surpassing all the joys we know,
And all we can desire:

*Jesum omnes agnoscite,
Amorem ejus poscite:
Jesum ardenter quaerite,
Quaerendo inardescite.

May every heart confess Thy

Name,
And ever Thee adore;
And, seeking Thee, itself inflame
To seek Thee more and more.

'Te nostra Jesu vox sonet, Thee may our tongues forever

Nostri te mores exprimant, bless;

Te corda nostra diligant. Thee may we love alone;

Et nunc, et in perpetmmi. And ever in our lives express

The image of Thine own.

AuTHOESHip, Translation, etc., as in the preceding hymn.

1. " 0 Jesus, admirable king and noble conqueror, sweet-
ness ineffable, wholly to be desired." Totus, wholly, alto-
gether, above all else.

Ill

PROPER OF THE SEASON

2. "When Thou dost visit our heart, then truth illum-
inates it; the vanity of the world becomes contemptible,
and charity glows within. ' '

3. '*0 Jesus, sweetness of hearts, living fountain, light
of intellects. Thou dost surpass all joys and all desires."

4. **Let all confess Jesus, let all earnestly ask for His
love; let all zealously seek Jesus, and in seeking Him be-
come enkindled."

5. ''Thee, 0 Jesus, may our voices praise; may the
whole course of our lives (mores) give testimony of Thee;
may our hearts love Thee now and forever. ' '

LAUDS

Jesu decus angelicum

JESU decus angelicum,
In aura dulce canticum,
In ore mel mirificum,
In corde nectar coelicum.

'Qui te gustant, esuriunt;
Qui bibunt, adhuc sitiunt;
Desiderare nesciunt,
Nisi Jesum, quem diligunt.

'0 Jesu mi dulcissime,
Spes suspirantis animae!
Te quaerunt pise lacrimse,
Te clamor mentis intimae.

*Mane nobiscum Domine,
Et nos illustra lumine;
Pulsa mentis caligine,
Mundum reple dulcedine.

JESU, Thou the Beauty art
Of Angel-worlds above;

Thy name is music to the heart,

Enchanting it with love.

Celestial Sweetness unalloyed!
Who eat Thee hunger still;
Who drink of Thee still feel a void,
Which naught but Thou can fill.

0 my sweet Jesu! hear the sighs
Which unto Thee I send;
To Thee mine inmost spirit cries
My being's hope and end!

Stay with us, Lord, and with Thy

light
Illume the soul's abyss;
Scatter the darkness of our night,
And fill the world with bliss.

■^Jesu flos Matris Virginis,
Amor nostras dulcedinis,
Tibi laus, honor nominis,
Regnum beatitudinis.

Authorship, Translation,
hymns.

O Jesu, spotless Virgin-flower,
Our life and joy; to Thee
Be praise, beatitude, and power.
Through all eternity.

etc., as in the preceding

112

THE EPIPHANY

1. "0 Jesus, glory of the Angels, Thou art a sweet
canticle to the ear, wondrous honey to the mouth, heavenly
nectar to the heart."

2. ** Those who taste of Thee still hunger; those who
drink of Thee still thirst; they know not to desire ought
else but Jesus whom they love." Ego sum panis vitae:
qui venit ad me, non esuriet : et qui credit in me, non sitiet
unquam (John 6, 35).

3. **0 my most sweet Jesus, the hope of my sighing soul;
loving tears and the cry of my inmost heart seek after
Thee."

4. ''Stay with us, 0 Lord, and illuminate us with Thy
light; the darkness of the mind having been dispelled, fill
the world with Thy sweetness. ' '

5. ''0 Jesus, flower of the Virgin-Mother, love of our
sweetness, to Thee be praise, honor of name, kingdom of
blessedness."

The Epiphany
Crudelis Herodes, Deum

CRUDELIS Herodes, Deum
Regem venire quid times?
Non eripit mortalia,
Qui regna dat ccelestia.

^ Ibant Magi, quam viderant,
Stellam sequentes praeviam:
Lumen requirunt lumine:
Deum fatentur munere.

WHY impious Herod, vainly
fear
That Christ the Saviour cometh

here?
He takes no earthly realms away
Who gives the crown that lasta
for aye.

To greet His birth the Wise Men

went,
Led by the star before them sent;
Called on by light, towards Light

they pressed,
And by their gifts their God

confessed.

'Lavacra puri gurgitis
Coelestis Agnus attigit:
Peccata, quae non detulit,
Nos abluendo sustulit.

In holy Jordan's purest wave
The heavenly Lamb vouchsafed to

lave;
That He, to whom was sin im-

known.
Might cleanse His people from

their own.

113

PROPER OF THE SEASON

* Novum genus potentiae: New miracle of power divine!

Aquae rubescunt hydriae, The water reddens into wine:

Vinumque jussa fundere. He spake the word: and poured

Mutavit imda originem. the wave

In other streams than nature gave.

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria, All glory, Lord, to Thee we pay

Qui apparuisti Gentibus, For Thine Epiphany to-day:

Cimi Patre, et almo Spiritu, All glory, as is ever meet,

In sempiterna saecula. To Father and to Paraclete.

Authoe: Sedulius, 5th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale. There are about twenty-five
translations, eight of which, including both texts, are in
the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn on the
Feast of the Epiphany. First line of Original Text:
Hostis Herodes impie. The texts differ only in the first
two lines. In the Original Text these lines read;

Hostis Herodes impie
Christimi venire quid times?

This hymn is a continuation of No. 39, A solis ortus cardine.
The word Epiphany signifies appearance or manifestation.
This manifestation was threefold: To the Gentiles in the
persons of the Magi (Matt. 2, 1-12) ; to the Jews at the
Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Mark 1, 9-11) ; to the
Apostles when Christ wrought His first miracle at the mar-
riage feast at Cana (John 2, 1-11). In the hymn, it will
be observed that a stanza is devoted to each of the three
manifestations.

Read the articles on Epiphcmy, Herod, Magi and Cana,
in the Cath. Encycl.

1. "Cruel Herod, why dost thou fear the coming of the
Divine King? He taketh not away earthly kingdoms, who
bestoweth heavenly ones." Regnum meum non est de hoc
mundo (John 18, 36).

2. "The Magi proceeded, following the star, which they
saw leading the way: by the aid of light, they seek the
Light: by their gifts they acknowledge Him to be God."
In the East it was customary when visiting kings or princes
to offer them appropriate gifts. The gifts offered by the

114

THE EPIPHANY

Magi were expressive of their belief in Christ's royal gen-
eration, in His divine nature, and in His human nature.
Gold, the noblest of the metals, hence a gift suitable for a
king, was symbolical of His royal generation: frankin-
cense is a symbol of prayer, and was therefore, an ac-
knowledgment of His Divinity; and myrrh, which is used
in embalming, was expressive of His mortality as man.

3. ''The Heavenly Lamb touched the cleansing bath of
the limpid waters: by washing us, He took away (sustulit)
sins which He Himself had not committed {detulit).''^ Ecce
affnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccatum mundi (John 1, 29).
''It is the teaching of St. Thomas that the Baptism of
Christ was the occasion when He gave to Christian Baptism
its power of conferring grace; but that the necessity of
this Sacrament was not intimated to men till after the
Eesurrection" (Father Hunter's Outlines of Dogmatic
Theology, Vol. II, p. 532).

4. "A new manifestation of power: the water of the jars
becomes red, and the water which was bidden to issue forth
as wine, changed its nature." Hydrice is the subject, and
aqucB the genitive of contents. Constr. : Et unda (quae)
jussa (est) vinum fundere, mutavit originem. The follow-
ing is the Catholic poet Crashaw's beautiful epigram on the
miracle at Cana;

Lympha pudica Deum vidit et erubuit.
The modest water saw its God and blushed.

47 O sola magnarum urbium

OSDLA magnarum urbium T>ETHLEHEM, of noblest cities
Major Bethlem, cui contigit ^ None can once with thee
Ducem salutis coelitus compare;

Incorporatum gignere. Thou alone the Lord from heaven

Didst for us incarnate bear.

^ Quern Stella, quas solis rotam Fairer than the sun at morning
Vincit decore, ac lumine; Was the star that told His birth;

Venisse terris nuntiat To the lands their God announc-

Cum came terrestri Deum. ing,

Hid beneath a form of earth.
115

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^Videre postquam ilium Magi,
Eoa promunt munera:
Stratique votis offerunt
Thus, rayrrham, et aurum regium.

* Regem Deumque annuntiant
Thesaurus, et fragrans odor
Thuris Sabaei, ac myrrheus
Pulvis sepulchrum praedocet.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui apparuisti Gentibus,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna ssecula.

By its lambent beauty guided,
See, the eastern kings appear;
See them bend, their gifts to offer.
Gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.

Solemn things of mystic meaning:
Incense doth the God disclose;
Gold a royal child proclaimeth;
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

Holy Jesu, in Thy brightness
To the Gentile world displayed,
With the Father and the Spirit,
Endless praise to Thee be paid.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are twenty-two
translations. Father CaswalPs translation is lofty, digni-
fied, and musical ; it is more extensively used than all others
combined. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds on the Feast
of the Epiphany. This hymn is a cento from the Quicumque
Christum quceritis. See hymn 41. Read the articles on
Bethlehem, Saba, Magi, and Epiphany, in the Cath. Encycl.

1. **0 highly favored Bethlehem, greater than the great
cities, to whom it was given to bring forth from heaven
the Prince of salvation, in human form." Sola, unique,
singularly honored. Magnarum urbium = magnis urbibus
(abl.), a Graecism. This construction is more common
with pronouns than with nouns (cf. Kaulen's Handbuch
zur Vulgata, pp. 258-260).

2. *'And a star which surpassed the disk of the sun in
beauty and in splendor, announces to the nations that God
has come clothed in earthly flesh. ' ' Quern = et.

3. *'As soon as the Magi behold Him, they bring forth
their Eastern gifts; and prostrate, together with their
prayers, they offer incense, myrrh, and royal gold."
Videre = viderunt. Et procidentes adoraverunt eum; et
apertis thesauris suis obtulerunt ei munera, aurum, thus,
et myrrham (Matt. 2, 11).

4. **The gold and the fragrant odor of Sabean incense
proclaim Him King and God, and the dust of myrrh fore-
shadows the tomb." Sabceus, adj., from Saba, the chief

116

LENT

city of Arabia Felix, celebrated for its myrrh and frank-
incense. Myrrheus, adj., of myrrh, perfumed with myrrh.
Reges Tharsis et insulae munera efferent; reges Arabum
et Saba dona adducent (Ps. 71, 10).

LENT

Audi benigne Conditor

A UDI benigne Conditor
■^*- Nostras pieces cHm fletibus,
In hoc sacro jejunio
Fusas quadragenario.

* Scrutator alme cordium,
Infirma tu scis virium:
Ad te reversis exhibe
Remissionis gratiam.

^Multum quidem peccavimus,
Sed parce confitentibus :
Ad nominis laudem tui
Confer medelam languidis.

* Concede nostrum conteri
Corpus per abstinentiam ;
Culpae ut relinquant pabulum
Jejuna corda criminum.

f~\ KIND Creator, bow Thine ear
^^ To mark the cry, to know the

tear
Before Thy throne of mercy spent
In this Thy holy fast of Lent.

Our hearts are open, Lord, to

Thee :
Thou knowest our infirmity;
Pour out on all who seek Thy face
Abundance of Thy pardoning

grace.

Our sins are many, this we know;
Spare us, good Lord, Thy mercy

show;
And for the honor of Thy name
Our fainting souls to life reclaim.

Give us the self-control that

springs
From discipline of outward

things.
That fasting inward secretly
The soul may purely dwell with

Thee,

"Praesta beata Trinitas,
Concede simplex Unitas;
Ut fructuosa sint tuis
Jejuniorum munera.

We pray Thee, Holy Trinity,
One God, unchanging Unity,
That we from this our abstinence
May reap the fruits of penitence.

Author: Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by T. A. Lacey. There are

117

PROPER OF THE SEASON

twenty-two translations, eight of which are in the Annus
Sanctus. Liturgical. Use: Vespers hymn on Sundays and
week-days during Lent. Read the article on Lent, in the
Cath. Encycl.

1. ''Hear, 0 loving Creator, our prayers poured forth
with our tears, in this sacred forty-day fast." Constr. :
Audi preces cum fletibus fusas in hoc, etc.

2. ''Loving searcher of hearts. Thou knowest the weak-
ness of our strength: grant us who have turned again to
Thee, the grace of pardon." In fir ma (orum) virium =
infirmas vires.

3. "Much, indeed, have we sinned, but spare us confess-
ing our misdeeds: for the glory of Thy Name, grant a
remedy to the weak."

4. "Grant that through abstinence our bodies may be
brought into subjection, so that our hearts being free from
sin may abandon the food of sin." Jejuna, lit., fasting,
not partaking of food; it is here followed by the genitive
criminum.

5. "Grant, 0 blessed Trinity and simple Unity, that the
rewards of fasting may be profitable to Thy servants.'^

49 Ex more docti mystic o

EX more docti mystico 'T^HE fast, as taught by holy lore,

Servemus hoc jejunium, •■- We keep in solemn course

Deno dierum circulo once more:

Ducto quater notissimo. The fast to all men known, and

bound
In forty days of yearly round.

^Lex et prophetae primitus The law and seers that were of

Hoc praetulerunt, postmodum old

Christus sacravit, omnium In divers ways this Lent foretold,

Rex atque factor temporum. Which Christ, all seasons' King

and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.

^Utamur ergo parcius More sparing therefore let us

Verbis, cibis et potibus, make

The words we speak, the food we
take,

118

LENT

Somno, jocis, et arctius
Perstemus in custodia.

*Vitemus autem noxia,
Quae subruunt mentes vagas:
Nullumque demus callidi
Hostis locum tyrannidi.

'Flectamus iram vindicem,
Ploremus ante judicem,
Clamemus ore supplici,
Dicamus omnes cernui:

^Nostris malis offendimus
Tuam Deus clementiam :
EfTunde nobis desuper,
Remissor, indulgentiam.

^Memento quod sumus tui,
Licet caduci, plasmatis:
Ne des honorem nominis
Tui, precamur, alteri.

^Laxa malum quod fecimus,
Auge bonum quod poscimus:
Placere quo tandem tibi
Possimus hie, et perpetim.

'Praesta beata Trinitas,
Concede simplex Unitas,
Ut fructuosa sint tuis
Jejuniorum munera.

Our sleep and mirth, — and closer

barred
Be every sense in holy guard.

Avoid the evil thoughts that roll
Like waters o'er the heedless soul;
Nor let the foe occasion find
Our souls in slavery to bind.

In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all.
And weep before the Judge's feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.

Thy grace have we offended sore,
By sins, 0 God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.

Remember Thou, though frail we

be.
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honor of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.

Forgive the sin that we have

wrought ;
Increase the good that we have

sought :
That we at length, our wanderings

o'er.
May please Thee here and

evermore.

Grant, 0 Thou Blessed Trinity,
Grant, 0 Essential Unity,
That this our fast of forty days
May work our profit and Thy
praise.

Author: Ascribed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-
604) . Meter : Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale.
There are twelve translations. Liturgical Use: Matins
hymn on Sundays and week-days during Lent.

1. ' ' Taught by mystic use, let us observe this fast, which
is completed in the well known tenfold round of days taken

119

PROPER OF THE SEASON

four times." More my stico, sacred tradition. The Lenten
fast is of very ancient, if not of apostolic origin. A similar
fast was observed by the prophets Moses (Ex. 34, 28) and
Elias (III Kings 19, 7-8). Deno, see denus in the Glossary.
Some texts have denum (= denorum). The following is
Neale's translation of this stanza rewritten in Hymns
Ancient and Modern:

By precepts taught of ages past.
Now let us keep again the fast
Which, year by year, in order meet
Of forty days is made complete.

2. ''The law and the prophets first revealed this; after-
wards Christ, the king and maker of all seasons, sanctified
it." ifoc, sc. jejunium, the Lenten fast. Lex et prophetcs:
By the law is meant the Mosaic Law, the Pentateuch; by
the prophets, the later books of the Old Testament. Lex
et prophetae usque ad Joannem (Luke 16, 16).

3. ''Let us, therefore, use more sparingly words, food,
and drink, sleep and jests, and let us remain severely stead-
fast on our guard."

4. "Moreover, let us avoid those hurtful things which
subvert fickle souls; and let us give no occasion for the
tyranny of the cunning foe. ' '

5-6. "May we, weeping before the Judge, soften His
avenging wrath ; let us cry aloud with suppliant voices, and
prostrate let us all say: 'By our sins, 0 God, we have
offended Thy goodness; pour out upon us from on high,
0 f orgiver of sins, Thy mercy. ' ' '

7. "Remember that we are Thy creatures {tui plasmatis)
though frail; we beseech Thee that Thou give not to an-
other the honor of Thy Name." Plasmatis, the genitive
denoting possession with esse; of Thy making, creation.
Alteri, to Satan, the enemy of the human race.

8. "Pardon the evil we have done; increase the good for
which we pray, that we may at length be able to please
Thee here and in eternity."

120

LENT
O Sol salutis, intimis

OSOL salutis, intimis
Jesu refulge mentibus,
Dum nocte pulsa gratior
Orbi dies renascitur.

^Dans tempus acceptabile,
Da, lacrimarum rivulis
Lavare cordis victimam,
Quam laeta adurat caritas.

^Quo fonte manavit nefas,
Fluent perennes lacrimae,
Si virga poenitentise
Cordis rigorem conterat.

*Dies venit, dies tua,
In qua reflorent omnia:
Laetemur et nos in viam
Tua reducti dextera.

' Te prona mundi machina
Clemens adoret Trinitas,
Et nos novi per gratiam
Novum canamus canticum.

JESU, salvation's Sun Divine,
Within our inmost bosoms
shine,
With light all darkness drive away
And give the world a better day.

Now

with

mercy

days of grace

flow,

O Lord, the gift of tears bestow.
To wash our stains in every part,
Whilst heavenly fire consumes the

heart.

Rise, crystal tears, from that same

source
From whence our sins derive their

course;
Nor cease, till hardened hearts

relent,
And softened by your streams,

repent.

Behold, the happy days return.
The days of joy for them that

mourn ;
May we of their indulgence share.
And bless the God that grants our

prayer.

May heaven and earth aloud

proclaim
The Trinity's almighty fame;
And we, restored to grace, rejoice
In newness both of heart and

voice.

Author: Ambrosian, 6tli cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation from the Primer of 1706, probably by John
Dryden; first three lines altered. There are twelve trans-
lations. First line of Original Text: Jam Christe sol
justiticB. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on Sundays
and week-days during Lent. ''In this hymn Lent is re-
garded as a season of waiting and penitential preparation

121

PROPER OF THE SEASON

for the Second Creation at Easter" {Diet, of Hymnology,
p. 576). According to Duffield "It expresses the early
Christian attitude towards God's works, connecting the
looked-for Easter with the renewal of the world by spring"
{Latin Hymn-Writers and Their Hymns, p. 335).

1. ''0 Jesus, Sun of salvation, shine Thou in our inmost
souls, till, the night having been dispelled, more welcome
day is born anew to the world. ' ' This is a hymn for Lauds,
which was said at daybreak. As the sun at daybreak dis-
pels the darkness, in like manner we entreat the Sun of
salvation, the true Light of the world, to flood our hearts
with the quickening beams of His grace.

2. '* Having given this acceptable time, grant also that
we cleanse with floods of tears the victim of our heart,
which may gladsome charity consume by its flames."
Tenipus acceptabile, a time of grace ; Lent is preeminently
a time of grace. Victima, something offered in sacrifice.
There is an allusion here to the purification of the victims
of sacrifice in the Old Law, and to their destruction in whole
or in part by fire. Such for example were the holocausts,
the peace-offerings, and the sacrifices of propitiation. So
too shall **the victim which is our heart" be purified by
tears of sorrow, and consumed by the flames of an ardent
charity. Ecce nunc tempus acceptabile, ecce nunc dies
salutis (IlCor. 6, 2).

3. "From the selfsame source whence sins arose, shall
ceaseless tears arise, if but the rod of penance break the
icy coldness of the heart." Fonte, "the source" is the
heart of man. Ab intus enim de corde hominum malae cogi-
tationes procedunt, adulteria, fornicationes, homicidia
(Mark 7, 21). Virga: The rod is a symbol of chastisement,
and here, of self-inflicted chastisement.

4. "The day comes, Thy day, on which all shall bloom
anew; then may we too rejoice, led on the way by Thy
right hand." Dies: The day alluded to may be either Judg-
ment Day or the coming Easter Day.

5. "0 loving Trinity, may the whole fabric of the uni-
verse humbly adore Thee, and we, renewed by Thy grace,
would sing Thee a new song of praise." Prona, prostrate.

122

PASSIONTIDE

Vexilla Regis prodeunt

VEXILLA Regis prodeunt:
Fulget Crucis mysterium,
Qua vita mortem pertulit,
Et morte vitam protulit.

^Quae vulnerata lanceae
Mucrone diro, criminum
Ut nos lavaret sordibus,
Manavit unda, et sanguine.

'Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
Dicendo nationibus:
Regnavit a ligno Deus.

* Arbor decora et fulgida,
Ornata regis purpura.
Electa digno stipite
Tam sancta membra tangere.

"Beata, cujus brachiis
Pretium pependit saeculi,
Statera facta corporis,
Tulitque praedam tartari.

*0 Crux ave spes unica,
Hoc passionis tempore
Piis adauge gratiam,
Reisque dele crimina.

A BROAD the Regal Banners fly,
•^^ Now shines the Cross's mys-
tery;
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.

Who, wounded with a direful

spear.
Did, purposely to wash us clear
From stain of sin, pour out a flood
Of precious Water mixed with

Blood.

That which the Prophet-King of

old
Hath in mysterious verse foretold,
Is now accomplished, whilst we

see
God ruling nations from a Tree.

0 lovely and refulgent Tree,
Adorned with purpled maj-esty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to

bear
Those Limbs which sanctified

were.

Blest Tree, whose happy branches

bore
The wealth that did the world

restore ;
The beam that did that Body

weigh
Which raised up hell's expected

prey.

Hail, Cross, of hopes the most

sublime!
Now in this mournful Passion

time,
Improve religious souls in grace,
The sins of criminals efface.

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PROPER OF THE SEASON

'Te, fons salutis Trinitas, Blest Trinity, salvation's spring,

Collaudet omnis spiritus: May every soul Thy praises sing;

Quibus Crucis victoriam To those Thou grantest conquest

Largiris, adde praemiiun. by

The holy Cross, rewards apply.

Author: Venantius Fortunatus (530-609). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by W. K. Blount. There
are about forty translations, ten of which are in Mr. Ship-
ley's Annus Sanctus. According to Julian's Diet, of
Hymnology the above translation, dating from 1670, is by
far the best rendering of the Vexilla Regis in common use ;
while J. M. Neale's translation, in various forms, is more
widely used than all others put together (p. 1221).
Neale's translation of the Original Text is in the Baltimore
Manual of Prayers, p. 612. Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn
from Passion Sunday to Wednesday of Holy Week. It
is also the Vespers hymn on the Feasts of the Finding (May
3) and of the Exaltation (Sept. 14) of the Holy Cross.
The Vexilla Regis was originally intended as a Processional
Hymn, and it is still so used on Good Friday, when the
Blessed Sacrament is carried from the Eepository to the
High Altar. Neale justly styles the Vexilla Regis "a
world-famous hymn" and ''one of the grandest in the
treasury of the Latin Church" {Medieval Hymns p. 6).
It was composed by Fortunatus on the occasion of the re-
ception of a relic of the True Cross, which was sent by the
Emperor Justin II to St. Eadegunde. Read Monsignor
Henry's interesting article on this hymn in the Cath.
Encycl.

1. "The banners of the King come forth; brightly
gleams the mystery of the Cross, on which Life suffered
death, and by His death, obtained for us life." Vexilla:
lit. banners; here, the Cross. The vexillum was the old
Roman cavalry standard, which, after Constantino, was
surmounted by a Cross instead of by the Roman eagle.
Mysterium: The Cross is by preeminence the symbol of
man's redemption. Qua, sc. cruce. Vita: the author of
life, Christ. Vitam {cBternam).

2. "He was wounded by the cruel point of a spear, and
there issued forth water and blood to cleanse us from the

124

PASSIONTIDE

defilements of sin." Qucb, sc. vita, from the preceding
stanza. Unda et sanguine: An allusion to, — sed unns mili-
tum lancea latus ejus aperuit, et continuo exivit sanguis et
aqua (John 19, 34).

3. ''Now is fulfilled what David foretold in faithful song,
saying to the nations: 'God has reigned from a Tree.' "
A ligno: "from the wood," or, "from a tree." The
reference is to Ps. 95, 10 : Dicite in gentibus quia Dominus
regnavit a ligno. The words a ligno are not found in any
present text of the Scriptures. They were, however, fre-
quently quoted by the early Fathers; and St. Justin even
accused the Jews of having erased them from the Hebrew
text. If not a Scriptural, the a ligno is at least a liturgical
expression still in use during Paschal time in the "Com-
memoration of the Cross," in both Lauds and Vespers.
"The words are probably a gloss by some early Christian
scribe, transferred, in course of time, from the margin into
the text" (Rev. J. M'Swiney, S.J., in his Translation of
the Psalms and Canticles, p. 405). In this stanza, some
texts read cecinit for concinit, dicens for dicendo, and reg-
nahit for regnavit.

4. "0 beautiful and resplendent Tree adorned with the
purple of the King, chosen to bear on thy worthy trunk,
limbs so holy. ' ' Purpura, purple ; here, the Most Precious
Blood. T anger e : to touch, come in contact with.

5. "0 blessed Tree upon whose branches hung the
ransom of the world ; it was made the balance of the body,
and snatched away the (expected) prey of hell." The last
two lines are obscure, and are variously rendered. Pre-
tium: Empti enim estis pretio magno (I Cor. 6, 20).
Statera, lit., a steelyard; a balance, beam, scales; also the
value of a thing, price. "Statera corporis, the payment of
the body having been made; others read facta est: many
read statera scbcuU, the price of the world" (March's
Latin Hymns, p. 254). The following translations are
good:

"The price of human-kind to pay,
And spoil the spoiler of his pray."

— Neale

125

PROPER OF THE SEASON

"Balance sublime! upon whose beam
Was weighed the ransom of mankind."

— Caswall

The last two stanzas of the hymn are not by Fortunatus.

6. ''Hail, 0 Cross, our only hope! In this Passiontide
increase grace in the just, and for sinners, blot out their
sins."

7. "May every spirit praise Thee, 0 Trinity, Thou
fount of salvation; to whom Thou gavest the victory of
the Cross, grant also the reward. ' '

Pange lingua gloriosi

PANGE lingua gloriosi
Lauream certaminis,
Et super Crucis trophaeo
Die triimiphum nobilem :
Qualiter Redemptor orbis
Immolatus vicerit.

^De parentis protoplast!
Fraude Factor condolens,
Quando pomi noxialis
In necem morsu ruit:
Ipse lignum tunc notavit,
Damna ligni ut solveret.

*Hoc opus nostrae salutis
Ordo depoposcerat;
Multiformis proditoris
Ars ut artem falleret,
Et medelam ferret inde,
Hostis unde laeserat.

* Quando venit ergo sacri
Plenitudo temporis.
Missus est ab arce Patris
Natus, orbis Conditor;
Atque ventre virginali
Carne amictus prodiit.

SING, my tongue, the glorious
battle
With completed victory rife:
And above the Cross's trophy
Tell the triumph of the strife:
How the world's Redeemer con-
quered
By surrendering of His life.

God, His Maker, sorely grieving
That the first-made Adam fell,
When he ate the fruit of sorrow.
Whose reward was death and hell.
Noted then this Wood, the ruin
Of the ancient wood to quell.

For the work of our salvation
Needs would have his order so.
And the multiform deceiver's
Art by art would overthrow.
And from thence would bring the

med'cine
Whence the insult of the foe.

Wherefore, when the sacred ful-
ness
Of the appointed time was come,
This world's Maker left His

Father,
Sent the heav'nly mansion from,
And proceeded, God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin's holy womb.

126

PASSIONTIDE

'Vagit infans inter arcta
Conditus praesepia:
Membra pannis involuta
Virgo Mater alligatt
Et Dei manus pedesque
Stricta cingit fascia.

Weeps the Infant in the manger
That in Bethlehem's stable stands;
And His limbs the Virgin Mother
Doth compose in swaddling bands,
Meetly thus in linen folding
Of her God the feet and hands.

'Lustra sex qui jam peregit,
Tempus implens corporis,
Sponte libera Redemptor
Passioni deditus,
Agnus in Crucis levatur
Immolandus stipite.

^Felle potus ecce languet:
Spina, clavi, lancea
Mite corpus perforarunt:
Unda manat, et cruor:
Terra, pontus, astra, mundus,
Quo lavantur flumine!

^Crux fidelis, inter omnes
Arbor una nobilis:
Silva talem nulla profert
Fronde, flore, germine:
Dulce ferrum, dulce lignum,
Dulce pondus sustinent.

^Flecte ramos arbor alta,
Tensa laxa viscera,
Et rigor lentescat ille,
Quem dedit nativitas;
Et superni membra regis
Tende miti stipite.

^"Sola digna tu fuisti
Ferre mundi victimam;
Atque portum praeparare
Area mundo naufrago,
Quam sacer cruor perunxit,
Fusus Agni corpore.

Thirty years among us dwelling.
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, He meets His

Passion,
For that this He freely willed:
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted,
Where His life-blood shall be

spilled.

He endured the nails, the spitting.
Vinegar, and spear, and reed;
From that holy Body broken
Blood and water forth proceed:
Earth, and stars, and sky, and

ocean.
By that flood from stain are free.

Faithful Cross! above all other.
One and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peers may be;
Sweetest Wood and sweetest Iron!
Sweetest Weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, 0 Tree of glory !
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
For awhile the ancient rigor.
That thy birth bestowed, suspend;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend !

Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to uphold;
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbor, like the Ark of old;
With the sacred Blood anointed
From the smitten Iamb that rolled.

127

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^^ Sempiterna sit beatae To the Trinity be glory

Trinitati gloria, Everlasting, as is meet;

^qua Patri, Filioque; Equal to the Father, equal

Par decus Paraclito: To the Son, and Paraclete:

Unius Trinique nomen Trinal Unity, whose praises

Laudet universitas. All created things repeat.

Author: Venantins Fortunatus (530-609). Meter:
Trochaic tetrameter catalectic. Translation by J. M.
Neale. There are about twenty-five translations, four of
which are in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus. Liturgical. Use :
The Pange lingua is in use in both the Missal and the
Breviary. Missal use: The whole hymn (eleven stanzas)
is recited or sung during the "Adoration of the Cross" in
the morning service on Good Friday. Breviary use : For
Office use, the hymn is divided into two equal parts with a
common doxology. The first five stanzas are assigned to
Matins from Passion Sunday to the Wednesday of Holy
Week, inclusive. The same stanzas form the Matins hymn
for the Feasts of the Finding (May 3) and of the Exalta-
tion (Sept. 14) of the Holy Cross. The remaining five
stanzas, beginning with Lustra sex, are used in Lauds
whenever the Pange lingua is used in Matins. Read the
article on the Pange lingua gloriosi, in the Cath. Encycl.
In the opinion of Dr. Julian, this noble hymn is *'one of
the finest of the Latin Medieval Hymns, and perhaps the
best of its author" [Diet, of Hymnology, p. 880). Neale
places it ''in the very first class of Latin Hymns" {Medieval
Hymns, p. 1). Dr. Neale 's translation above is of the
Original Text. The hymn was not greatly altered by the
revisers.

1. ' ' Sing, 0 my tongue, the victory in that glorious com-
bat, and, of the trophy of the Cross, sing a noble song of
triumph, recounting how the Redeemer of the world, when
immolated, conquered." Pange, frame, i. e., sing, celebrate
in song. It has the same meaning as die in 1. 4. Daniel,
in his Thes. Hymyiol. lists fourteen hymns beginning with
the words Pange lingua. Law earn, victory; the Original
Text has proslium, which to the revisers under Urban VIII
seemed tautological. Neale, however, maintains that
prcelium is the better word, for — *'It is not to the glory of

128

PASSIONTIDE

the termination of Our Lord's Conflict with the devil that
the poet would have us look, but to the glory of the struggle
itself, as indeed he tells us at the conclusion of the verse"
{Medieval Hymns, p. 4). Certaminis: The contest between
Christ and Satan for the possession of the human race (cf.
Gen. 3, 15). Super = de, of, about, concerning. Trophceo:
Originally the trophceum was a tree stripped of its
branches and adorned with the spoils of war. Representa-
tions of the stumps of trees so adorned are often found
on coins. The poet probably alludes to these early trophies
in *^the trophy of the Cross." Later, however, the
*' trophy" was a monument erected on a battle-field on the
spot where the defeated enemy turned to flee (cf. Harper's
Diet, of Class. Liter, and Antiq., p. 1615).

2. ** Deeply grieved by the infidelity of the first-created
man, when by the eating of the fatal fruit he rushed head-
long to death, the Creator Himself then chose the tree that
would undo the harm wrought by the former tree."

He then resolved the Cross's wood
Should make that tree's sad damage good.

Ipse lignum tunc notavit: There is an ancient legend that
the Cross of Christ sprang from a seed or bough of the
Tree of Life. In her Christia/n Life in Song, Mrs. Charles
gives the following version of the legend: ''When Adam
died, Seth obtained from the guardian cherubim of Para-
dise a branch of the tree from which Eve ate the forbidden
fruit. This he planted on Golgotha, called the place of the
scull, because Adam was buried there. From this tree, as
the ages rolled on, were made the ark of the testimony, the
pole on which the brazen serpent was lifted up, and other
instruments ; and from its wood, at length, then grown old
and hard, was made the Cross. ' '

3. ''This work the plan of our salvation demanded, that
art might outwit the art of the multiform deceiver, and
thence bring the remedy whence the foe wrought the in-
jury." Ars, the wisdom of God; artem, the cunning of
Satan. Multiformis: Satan has appeared under various
forms: To Eve as a serpent (Gen. 3, 1) ; to Christ in the
desert, as a man (Matt. 4, 1-10) ; to the Saints in various

129

PROPER OF THE SEASON

forms; and he may appear even as an angel of light (II
Cor. 11, 14). Et medelam ferret inde .... wide: This
thought is beautifully expressed in the Preface of the
Cross : — Qui salutem humani generis in ligno crucis consti-
tuisti, ut unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret, et qui
(the serpent) in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur.

4. ''When, therefore, the fulness of the sacred time was
come, the Son, the Creator of the world, was sent forth
from His Father's home, and, clothed in flesh. He came
forth from a virginal womb." Plenitudo temporis: Ubi
venit plenitudo temporis, misit Deus Filium suum factum
ex muliere (Gal. 4, 4). Arce: heaven; the bosom of the
eternal Father. Came: In human form.

5. "As an Infant, He cries, hidden in a narrow manger:
the Virgin-Mother swathes His limbs wrapped up in swad-
dling-clothes, and a tight band binds the hands and feet
of God." The following translation of this stanza, from
the Divine Office, 1763, is very beautiful :

Thus God-made-Man an Infant lies,
And in the manger weeping cries;
His sacred limbs by Mary bound,
The poorest tattered rags surround;
And God's incarnate feet and hands
Are closely bound with swathing-bands.

— Annus Sanctus, p. 100.

Conditus: some texts have positus. Note the play on the
word Conditor; the infinite Gonditor of the preceding
stanza is here conditus, hidden, sheltered. Fascia may be
either the subject of cingit, or the ablative. In the latter
case Virgo-Mater is the subj. of cingit; viz., the Virgin-
Mother, with a tight band, binds the hands and feet of God.
The former is preferable.

6. "When He had lived thirty years, completing the
period of His earthly sojourning, the Redeemer, of His own
free will, gave Himself up to His Passion, and as a Lamb to
be slaughtered. He was lifted up on the tree of the Cross. ' '
Lustre»: lustrum, a period of five years: it is here the ac-
cusative of time denoting how long. Sponte libera: Oblatus
est quia ipse voluit, et non aperuit os suum: sicut ovis ad

130

PASSIONTIDE

occisionem ducetur, et quasi agiius coram tondente se
obmutescet, et non aperiet os suum (Is. 53, 7). Agnus:
The Paschal Lamb of the Old Law was a most striking
figure of Christ, the ''Lamb of God." Read the article on
Lamb, Paschal in the Cath. Encycl. Read also Exodus 12,
3-11.

7. ''He partakes of gall; lo, He swoons: thorns, nails,
and a lance pierce His tender body : water flows forth, and
blood ; by which flood, the earth, the sea, the stars, and the
whole world is purified." Potus: perf. part, passive, used
frequently in an active sense, signifying one who has
drunk or partaken of something. The allusion is to the
potion offered to our Blessed Lord before His crucifixion.
Et dederunt ei vinum bibere cum felle mistum. Et cum
gustasset, noluit bibere. (Matt. 27, 34: cf. also Mark 15,
23.) It was customary in ancient times to offer to ane
about to be crucified a potion to sustain him or to deaden
his sensibilities. This drink Our Lord merely tasted.
Languet: He grows weak; languet is entirely independent
of felle potus. Quo lavantur flumine: Of the cleansing
power of the Precious Blood, St. Thomas, in the Adoro Te
devote sings :

Cujus una stilla salvum facere
Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.

Whereof one only drop, in Thy sweet mercy spih,

Would have the power to cleanse the world from all its guilt.

8. "0 faithful (Tree of the) Cross! the one noble Tree
among all trees : no forest yields thy like in foliage, flower,
and fruit: sweet iron, sweet wood, that bear so sweet a
burden." This stanza is one of great beauty. Fidelis:
The Tree in Eden (Gen. 3, 1-7) was perfidious; the Tree on
Calvary has become the very symbol of faith. What other
tree can ever hope to bear foliage, flowers, and fruit of
infinite worth and beauty !

9. ' ' Bend thy limbs, 0 lofty Tree, relax thy tense fibers,
and let that hardness which thy nature gave thee, unbend;
and stretch on thy softened trunk the members of the
heavenly King."

10. "Thou alone wast deemed worthy to bear the Victim

131

PROPER OF THE SEASON

of the world ; and as an Ark, to provide a haven for a ship-
wrecked world; which (ark) the sacred blood poured forth
from the body of the Lamb hath anointed." Area: "In
stanza 10, the Cross seems to be regarded, by a change of
figure, as a ship in which the faithful safely ride over the
waves of this troublesome world, after those waves have
been smoothed for them by the anointing oil that flowed
from the wounds of the Lamb of God" {Diet, of Hymnology,
p. 880).

11. "Eternal glory be to the Blessed Trinity; equal
glory be to the Father and to the Son; equal glory to the
Paraclete; may the whole world praise the Name of the
One, and of the Three."

The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin
the friday after passion sunday

Stabat Mater dolorosa

STABAT Mater dolorosa
Juxta Crucem lacrymosa,
Dum pendebat FiHus.
Cujus animam gementem,
Contristatam et dolentem,
Pertransivit gladius.

^D quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit ilia benedicta

Mater Unigeniti!
Quae mcerebat, et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat

Nati poenas inclyti.

^Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret

In tanto supplicio?
Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari

Dolentem cum Filio?

AT the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother
weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last:
Through her heart, His sorrow

sharing.
All His bitter anguish bearing.
Now at length the sword had
passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother's pain untold?

132

PASSIONTIDE

*Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Jesura in tormentis,

Et flagellis subditum:
Vidit suum dulcem Natum
Moriendo desolatum,

Dum emisit spiritum.

^ Eja Mater, f ons amoris.
Me sentire vim doloris

Fac, ut tecum lugeam:
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum

Ut sibi complaceam.

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child
All with bloody scourges rent;
For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation.
Till His Spirit forth He sent.

0 thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above.
Make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ ray Lord.

^Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas

Cordi meo valide:
Tui Nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,

Poenas mecum divide.

^Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixo condolere,

Donee ego vixero:
Juxta Crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare

In planctu desidero.

Holy Mother! pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified:
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee.
Mourning Him who mourned for

me,
All the days that I may live:
By the Cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray ;
Is all I ask of thee to give.

* Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi jam non sis amara,

Fac me tecum plangere:
Fac ut portem Christi mortem,
Passionis fac consortem,

Et plagas recolere.

*Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me Cruce inebriari,

Et cruore Filii.
Flammis ne urar succensus,
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die judicii.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine;
Let me, to my latest breath.
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound.
Steep my soul till it hath swooned
In His very Blood away;
Be to me, 0 Virgin, nigh.
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In that awful Judgment day.

133

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^* Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Christ, when Thou shalt call me

Da per Matrem me venire hence,

Ad palmam victoriae. Be Thy Mother my defence,

Quando corpus morietur Be Thy Cross my victory;

Fac ut animae donetur While my body here decays,

Paradisi gloria. May my soul Thy goodness praise,

Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Author I Ascribed to Jacopone da Todi, O.F.M. (d.
1306). Meter: Trochaic dimeter. Translation by Father
Caswall. There are more than sixty translations, three of
which are in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus. Father Cas-
wall's translation is by far the most extensively used. Lit-
urgical Use : Sequence for the Mass of the Seven Dolors on
the Friday after Passion Sunday, and on the 15th of Sep-
tember when another Feast of the Seven Dolors is cele-
brated. For Office use, the Stabat Mater is divided into
three parts for Vespers, Matins and Lauds, as follows:

54 Vespers: Stabat Mater dolorosa.

55 Matins : Sancta Mater istud agas.

56 Lauds: Virgo virginum prceclara.

The Stabat Mater is recognized as the tenderest and most
pathetic hymn of the Middle Ages. In the simplest, and at
the same time in the most vivid manner, it represents the
Blessed Mother of God plunged in grief and weeping be-
neath the Cross on which her beloved Son was suffering so
unmerited and so painful a death. The historical event
(John 19, 25) is narrated in the first, second and fourth
stanzas. The remaining stanzas are made up of reflections,
affections, petitions, and resolutions arising from the con-
templation of Our Lord's bitter sufferings and death. There
is an excellent article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl. The
same article treats of another hymn — the Stabat Mater
speciosa which is a sort of imitation of the '* Dolorosa."
It represents our Blessed Mother watching beside Our
Lord's cradle at Bethlehem. The two hymns are probably
by the same author. The Stabat Mater speciosa is given
below with a translation by that ' ' sweet and powerful ver-

134

PASSIONTIDE

sifier," Denis Florence MacCarthy. Mr. MacCarthy's
translations of both hymns are in the Annus Sanctus.

1. '^The sorrowful Mother stood weeping beside the
Cross, while her Son hung thereon: a sword pierced her
sighing, compassionate, and grief-stricken soul." Stabat:
Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, etc. (John
19, 25). Pertransivit gladius: Et tuam ipsius animam per-
transibit gladius (Luke 2, 35). Read the beautiful Canticle
of Simeon (Luke 2, 29-32). The sword of Simeon's
prophecy, which was to pierce the soul of the Mother, was
the sword of grief that transfixed her as she stood beside
the Cross on Calvary. Mary is the "Sorrowful Mother,"
and her Divine Son is the "Man of Sorrows" (Is. 53 3).

2. " 0 how sad and how afflicted was that Blessed Mother
of the Only-Begotten ! How she grieved and suffered, that
loving Mother, when she beheld the pains of her glorious
Son."

3. "Who is there that would not weep, if he should be-
hold the Mother of Christ in such great distress? Who
would be able not to grieve, if he should contemplate the
Mother of Christ suffering with her Son?" Constr. : Quis
posset non contristari. Contemplari = si contemplaretur.

4. "For the sins of His own nation, she saw Jesus in tor-
ments and subjected to stripes. She beheld her sweet Son
dying, abandoned, until He yielded up the ghost." Pro
peccatis suce gentis: Ipse enim salvum faciet populum suum
a peccatis eorum (Matt. 1, 21). For a history of the Pas-
sion of Our Lord, cf. Matt. 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23;
John 18-19. Emisit spiritum: Jesus autem iterum damans
voce magna, emisit spiritum (Matt. 27, 50).

5. "Ah, Mother, fount of love, make me feel the force of
grief, make me weep with thee. Make my heart burn with
the love of Christ, my God, that I may be pleasing to Him."
Sibi, for ei or ipsi. This use of the pronouns is quite com-
mon in Late Latin and in the Vulgate ; e. g., Matt. 16, 21 ;
Mark 10, 32; Gen. 2, 18; Tobias 3, 11.

6. "Holy Mother, mayest thou bring it to pass, that the
wounds of the Crucified may be deeply stamped upon my
heart. Share with me the sufferings of thy wounded Son
who thus deigned to suffer for me." The Prophet Zach-

135

PROPER OF THE SEASON

arias had long foretold these same plagcE in the sacred
members of Our Lord: Quid sunt plagae istsB in medio
manuum tuarum? Et dicet: His plagatus sum in domo
eorum qui diligebant me (Zach. 13, 6). The following is
D. F. MacCarthy's rendering of this stanza:

Blessed Mother of prediction,
Stamp the marks of crucifixion

Deeply on my stony heart.
Ever leading where thy bleeding
Son is pleading for my needing,

Let me in His wounds take part.

7. *' Grant that I may devoutly weep with thee, and suf-
fer with the Crucified as long as I shall live. I long to stand
beside the Cross with thee, and to unite myself to thee, in
thy grief."

8. ' * 0 peerless Virgin of virgins, be not unfavorably dis-
posed towards me now ; grant that I may mourn with thee.
Grant that I may bear about (in my body) the death of
Christ; make me a sharer in His passion, and make me
mindful of His sufferings." Amarus, bitter; unkind, ill-
disposed. Portem mortem Christi: A reference to II Cor.
4, 10. Fac (me) consortem.

9. * ' Grant that I may be wounded with His wounds, that
I may be inebriated with the Cross and with the Blood of
thy Son. That I may not be tormented by the flames of
hell, may I, 0 Virgin, be defended by thee on the day of
Judgment. ' ' Succensus, from succendo 3, set on fire ; used
here pleonastically. Inebriari: As in Ps. 35, 9: Inebriabun-
tur ab ubertate domus tuae: et torrente voluptatis tuae
potabis eos. Translation: ''They shall be inebriated (i.e.,
plentifully filled, sated, filled to overflowing) with the
plenty of thy house ; and thou shalt make them drink of the
torrent of thy pleasure." See also Ps. 22, 5.

10. ''When, 0 Christ, the hour has come for me to depart
hence, grant that through Thy Mother I may obtain the
palm of victory. When my body shall die, grant that the
glory of Paradise be given to my soul."

136

PASSIONTIDE

Stabat Mater speciosa

STABAT Mater speciosa
Juxta foenum gaudiosa,
Dum jacebat parvulus;
Cujus animam gaudentem,
Laetabundam et ferventera
Pertransivit jubilus.

^0 quara laeta et beata
Fuit ilia immaculata
Mater unigeniti
Quae gaudebat et ridebat,
Exultabat, cum videbat
Nati partum inclyti.

^ Quisquam est, qui non gauderet,
Christi matrem si videret
In tanto solatio?
Quis non possit collaetari,
Christi matrem contemplari
Ludentem cum filio?

*Pro peccatis suae gentis
Christum vidit cum jumentis
Et algori subditum;
Vidit suum dulcem natum
Vagientem, adoratum
Vili diversorio.

^Nato Christo in prassepe
Cceli cives canunt laete
Cum immenso gaudio;
Stabat senex cum puella
Non cum verbo nee loquela
Stupescentes cordibus.

'Eja, mater, fons amoris.
Me sentire vim ardoris
Fac, ut tecum sentiam;

BY the crib wherein reposing,
With His eyes in slumber
closing.
Lay serene her Infant-boy,
Stood the beauteous Mother teeling
Bliss that could not bear con-
cealing.
So her face o'erflowed with joy.

Oh, the rapture naught could

smother
Of that most Immaculate Mother
Of tlie sole-begotten One;
When with laughing heart ex-

uhing,
She beheld her hopes resulting
In the great birth of her Son.

Who would not with gratulation
See the happy consolation
Of Christ's Mother undefiled?
Who would not be glad surveying
Christ's dear Mother bending,

praying.
Playing with her heavenly Child?

For a sinful world's salvation,
Christ her Son's humiliation
She beheld ajid brooded o'er;
Saw Him weak, a child, a stranger,
Yet before Him in the manger
Kings lie prostrate and adore.

O'er that lowly manger winging.
Joyful hosts from heaven were

singing
Canticles of holy praise;
While the old man and the maiden.
Speaking naught, with hearts

o'erladen,
Pondered on God's wondrous ways.

Fount of love, forever flowing.
With a burning ardor glowing.
Make me, Mother, feel like thee;

137

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amatum Christum Deum,
Ut sibi complaceam.

^ Sancta mater, istud agas,
Prone introducas plagas
Cordi fixas valide;
Tui nati coelo lapsi,
Jam dignati fceno nasci
Poenas mecum divide.

* Fac me vere congaudere,
Jesulino cohaerere,
Donee ego vixero;
In me sistat ardor tui,
Puerino fac me frui,
Dum sum in exsilio.

'Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi jam non sis amara,
Fac me parvum rapere;
Fac,utpulchrimi inf antem portem.
Qui nascendo vicit mortem,
Volens vitam tradere.

^"Fac me tecum satiari,
Nato me inebriari,
Stantem in tripudio;
Inflammatus et accensus
Obstupescit omnis sensus
Tali me commercio.

"Fac me nato custodiri,
Verbo Dei praemimiri,
Conservari gratia;
Quando corpus morietur
Fac, ut animse donetur
Tui nati gloria!

Let my heart, with graces gifted
All on fire, to Christ be lifted,
And by Him accepted be.

Holy Mother, deign to bless me.
With His sacred Wounds impress

me.
Let them in my heart abide;
Since He came, thy Son, the Holy,
To a birth-place, ah, so lowly,
All His pains with me divide.

Make me with true joy delighted,
To Child- Jesus be united
While my days of life endure;
While an exile here sojourning.
Make my heart like thine be

burning
With a love divine and pure.

Spotless Maid and sinless Woman,
Make us feel a fire in common.
Make my heart's long longing sure.
Virgin of all virgins highest.
Prayer to thee thou ne'er denyest,
Let me bear thy sweet Child too.

Let me bear Him in my bosom.
Lord of life, and never lose Him,
Since His birth doth death subdue.
Let me show forth how immense is
The effect on all my senses
Of an union so divine.

All who in the crib revere Him,
Like the shepherds watching near

Him,
Will attend Him through the

night.
By thy powerful prayers protected,
Grant, 0 Queen, that His elected
May behold heaven's moving light.

Make me by His birth be guarded,
By God's holy word be warded.
By His grace till all is done;
When my body lies obstructed.
Make my soul to be conducted,
To the vision of thy Son.

188

PASSIONTIDE

This hymn is so close an imitation of the preceding hymn
that its translation will not be found difficult. The following
brief notes will be found quite sufficient. The numbers refer
to stanzas of the hymn. Translation by Denis Florence
MacCarthy.

1. Gaudiosus = gaudens, joyful. 4. Diversorium, lit., an
inn ; here a stable. 5. Senex cum puella; Joseph and Mary.
Senex {cum = et) puella, hence the pi. Stupescentes, agree-
ing in sense. 7. Prone introducas, etc. : Downward press and
firmly fix, etc. 8. Jesulinus and puerinus, diminutives of
Jesus and puer. 9. Vitam trader e: to give life to men. 10.
Tripudium, joy, delight.

GLORIA, laus, et honor, tibi
sit Rex Christe Redemptor:
Cui puerile decus prompsit

Hosanna pium.
Gloria, laus, etc.

Gloria, laus, et honor

ALL glory, laud, and honor
Tn Thf>P- Rprlppmpr ICina

* Israel es tu Rex, Davidis et in-

clyta proles:
Nomine qui in Domini, Rex

benedicte, venis.
Gloria, laus, etc.

* Ccetus in excelsis
coelicus omnis,

Et mortalis homo,
creata simul.

Gloria, laus, etc.

te laudat

et cuncta

*Plebs Hebraea tibi cum palmis

obvia venit:
Cum prece, voto, hymnis, adsu-

mus ecce tibi.
Gloria, laus, etc.

"Et tibi passuro solvebant munia

laudis:
Nos tibi regnanti pangimus ecce

melos.
Gloria, laus, etc.

To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's Name comest.
The King and Blessed One.
All glory, laud, etc.

The company of Angels
Are praising Thee on high.
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
All glory, laud, etc.

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and

anthems
Before Thee we present.
All glory, laud, etc.

To Thee before Thy Passion
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee now high exalted
Our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, etc.

139

PROPER OF THE SEASON

® Hi placuere tibi, placeat devotio Thou didst accept their praises,

nostra: Accept the prayers we bring,

Rex bone, Rex clemens, cui bona Who in all good delightest,

cuncta placent. Thou good and gracious King.

Gloria, laus, etc. All glory, laud, etc.

Author: Theodulf, Bishop of Orleans (b. about 760; d.
821). Meter: Elegiac. Translation by J. M. Neale. There
are twelve translations, two of which are in the Annus Sanc-
tus. Liturgical Use : Processional hymn on Palm Sunday.
There is a pretty legend concerning the composition of this
hymn. Theodulf, so runs the legend, had for some political
reasons been imprisoned in a monastery in Angers. Dur-
ing his incarceration he wrote this hymn, which he sang
from the window of his cell when the king, Louis the Pious,
was passing in the procession on Palm Sunday in 821. The
hymn so moved the king that he immediately ordered that
the holy bishop be set at liberty and restored to his see.
The legend is now discredited on historical grounds.

The hymn is based on the following passages of Scrip-
ture: Ps. 117, 25-26; Matt. 21, 1-16; Mark 11, 9-10; Luke 19,
37-38 ; John 12, 12-13. This is the only instance of the use of
elegiac verse in the hymns of the Church. Each stanza of
this species of poetry consists of a couplet composed of a
dactylic hexameter and a so-called pentameter verse. The
latter is the same as the former except that it omits the last
half of the third foot and of the sixth foot. In the following
couplet the elegiac strophe is both imitated and described
by the poet Coleridge:

In the hexameter rises | the fountain's silvery column;
In the pentameter aye | falling in melody back.

The translation given below, which is also by J. M. Neale,
is in the meter of the original. It is quite as literal as prose.
The following words only will require any comment. 1. Cui
. . . pium: to whom youthful beauty offers a loving
hosanna. 3. Coetus codicus omnis, the whole heavenly host.
5. Munia laudis: they offered their meed of praise. Melos
(neut.), hymn, song. Read the articles on Hosanna, Palm
Sunday, and on Palm in Christian Symbolism, in the Cath.
Encycl.

140

EASTERTIDE
58B

GLORY and honor and laud be to Thee, King Christ the Redeemer!
Children of old in whose praise sweetest hosannas outpoured.
Israel's Monarch art Thou, and the glorious Offspring of David,
Thou that approachest, a King, blest in the name of the Lord.
Glory and honor and laud, etc.

Glory to Thee upon high, the heavenly armies are singing;
Glory to Thee upon earth, man and creation reply.
Glory and honor and laud, etc.

Met Thee with palms in their hands, that day the folk of the Hebrews;
We with our prayers and our hymns, now to Thy presence approach.
Glory and honor and laud, etc.

They to Thee proffered their praise, for to herald Thy dolorous

Passion ;
We to the King on His throne, utter the jubilant hymn.
Glory and honor and laud, etc.

They were then pleasing to Thee, unto Thee our devotion be pleasing;
Merciful King, kind King, who in all goodness art pleased.
Glory and honor and laud, etc.

EASTERTIDE

The Paschal Sequence

59 VictimcB Paschali

VICTIMS Paschali pHRIST the Lord is risen

Laudes immolent Christiani. \^ to-day:

Christians, haste your vows to

pay;
Offer ye your praises meet
At the Paschal Victim's feet;
' Agnus redemit oves : For the sheep the Lamb hath bled,

Christus innocens Patri Sinless in the sinner's stead.

Reconsiliavit Christ the Lord is risen on high;

Peccatores. Now he lives, no more to die.

141

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^Mors et vita duello
Conflixere mirando:
Dux vitae mortuus,
Regnat vivus.

* Die nobis, Maria,
Quid vidisti in via?
Sepulchrum Christi viventis,
Et gloriam vidi resurgentis.

^Angelicos testes,
Sudarium et vestes.
Surrexit Christus spes mea:
Praecedet vos in Galilaeam.

'Scimus Christum surrexisse
A mortuis vere:
Tu nobis, victor
Rex, miserere.
Amen. Alleluja.

Christ, the Victim undefiled,
Man to God hath reconciled;
When in strange and awful strife
Met together Death and Life;
Christians, on this happy day
Haste with joy your vows to pay.
Christ the Lord is risen on high;
Now He lives, no more to die.

Say, 0 wond'ring Mary, say
What thou sawest on thy way.
"I beheld, where Christ had lain,
Empty tomb and Angels twain;
I beheld the glory bright
Of the risen Lord of light:
Christ my hope is risen again;
Now He lives, and lives to reign."

Christ, who once for sinners bled,
Now the first-born from the dead.
Throned in endless might and

power.
Lives and reigns forevermore.
Hail, eternal hope on high!
Hail, Thou King of victory!
Hail, Thou Prince of Life adored !
Help and save us, gracious Lord.

AttthoR! Ascribed to Wipo, 11th cent. Transla-
tion by Jane E. Leeson. There are about twenty-five trans-
lations, three of which are in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical
Use: Sequence in the Mass daily from Easter Sunday to
Low Sunday inclusive. For the structure, the history, and
the development of this species of hymn, read the article on
Prose or Sequence, in the Cath. Encycl. The same work con-
tains a well written article on the Victims PaschaU. Read
also the article on Lamb, Paschal. No hymns occur in the
Divine Office during the last three days of Holy Week nor
during Easter week.

The beautiful Paschal sequence sings the praises of the
risen Christ. For the purpose of treatment it may be di-
vided into two parts. The first part consists of an exhorta-

142

EASTERTIDE

tion to all Christians to offer sacrifices of praise to Christ,
the true Paschal Lamb, the Sinless One, who by His immola-
tion on the Cross reconciles sinners to His Father. Death
and Life engage in a most unusual combat; the Prince of
Life dies, but by His very death He triumphs and now
reigns in glory. The second part is in the form of a dialogue.
Mary Magdalene is appealed to as a witness of the Resur-
rection, and she testifies: — **I saw the sepulcher of the liv-
ing Christ, the glory of the risen Lord, the witness-angels
at the tomb, the napkin and the winding-sheet." Then in
an ecstasy of joy she proclaims to the Apostles : * ' Christ my
hope is risen and He shall go before you into Galilee." It
concludes with a testimonial of our belief in the Resurrec-
tion and with a petition for mercy. The history of the
Resurrection is told in John 20 ; read also the beginning of
Matt. 28; Mark 16; Luke 24.

1. ''To the Paschal Victim, let Christians offer the sac-
rifice of praise."

2. * ' The Lamb hath redeemed the sheep ; Christ the Sin-
less One hath reconciled sinners to His Father."

3. ''Death and Life contended in a wondrous encounter:
the Prince of Life died indeed, but now reigns living. ' *

4. "Tell us, Mary, what sawest thou on the way? I saw
the sepulcher of the living Christ, I saw the glory of Him
that had risen. ' '

5. "I saw the angelic witnesses, the napkin and the linen
cloths. Christ, my hope, hath risen : He shall go before you
into Galilee."

6. "We know in truth that Christ hath risen from the
dead: Thou, 0 victorious King, have mercy on us." Vic-
timcB Paschali: cf. Exodus 12-13. Duello = bello. Conflix-
erunt, fought, contended. Maria : Mary Magdalene, to whom
Our Lord first appeared after His resurrection.

The following is Robert Campbell's translation of the
Victimce Paschali. Note the striking difference between this
translation and Miss Leeson's translation above. The dif-
ference is due to the meter. The two translations illustrate
the hurried pace of the trochee and the stately tread of the
iambus.

143

PROPER OF THE SEASON
59B VictimcB Paschali

THE holy Paschal work is wrought,
The Victim's praise be told,
The loving Shepherd back hath brought

The sheep into His fold:
The Just and Innocent was slain
To reconcile to God again.

Death from the Lord of life hath fled —
The conflict strange is o'er;

Behold, He liveth that was dead.
And lives forevermore:

Mary, thou soughtest Him that day;

Tell what thou sawest on the way.

*'I saw the empty cavern's gloom,
The garments of the prison.

The Angel-guardians of the tomb.
The glory of the Risen."

We know that Christ hath burst the grave,

Then, victor King, Thy people save.

Ad regias Agni dapes

AD regias Agni dapes,
Stolis araicti candidis,
Post transitum Maris rubri,
Christo canamus Principi:

^Divina cujus caritas
Sacrum propinat sanguinem,
Almique membra corporis
Amor sacerdos immolat.

Sparsum cruorera postibus
Vastator horret Angelus:
Fugitque divisum mare:
Merguntur hostes fluctibus.

A T the Lamb's high feast we
•^^ sing

Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from His pierced side.

Praise we Him whose love divine
Gives the guests His Blood for

wine,
Gives His Body for the feast.
Love the victim, love the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is

poured.
Death's dark Angel sheathes his

sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the

foe.

144

EASTERTIDE

* Jam Pascha nostrum Christus est,
Paschalis idem victima,
Et pura puris mentibus
Sinceritatis azyma.

'O vera cceli victima,
Sub j acta cui sunt tartara,
Soluta mortis vincula,
Recepta vitae praemia.

'Victor subactis inferis
Trophaea Christus explicat,
Cceloque aperto, subditum
Regem tenebrarum trahit.

^Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
Vitae renatos libera.

^Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

Christ, the Lamb whose Blood was

shed,
Paschal* victim. Paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.

Mighty Victim from the sky,
Powers of hell beneath Thee lie;
Death is conquered in the fight;
Thou hast brought us life and
light.

Now Thy banner Thou dost wave;
Vanquished Satan and the grave;
Angels join His praise to tell —
See o'erthrown the prince of hell.

Paschal triumph, Paschal joy.
Only sin can this destroy;
From the death of sin set free.
Souls re-born, dear Lord, in Thee.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise.
Father, unto Thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.

Author: Ambrosian, 7th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Robert Campbell. There are about thirty
translations. First line of Original Text: Ad coenam Agni
providi. Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn from Low Sunday
to Ascension Day. This hymn was greatly altered by the re-
visers under Urban VIII (1632) ; only three lines remained
unaltered. There are ten translations of this hymn in Mr.
Shipley's Annus Sanctus, both texts being represented. Of
the translations of the Roman Breviary Text, Mr. Camp-
bell's is more extensively used than all others combined. It
is not so literal as some other translations, but it is a hymn
of great beauty, and it is not surprising that it is found in
so many hymn books.

In the Ad regias Agni dapes, there is reference to the
ancient custom of administering to catechumens the sac-
raments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Originally there
was no Mass on Holy Saturday proper. The long but beau-

145

PROPER OF THE SEASON

tiful ceremonies began Saturday evening and lasted
throughout the night. The Litany and Mass were sung to-
wards morning. During Mass the neophytes, vested in
beautiful white robes {stolce alhce), were admitted for the
first time to the "banquet of the Lamb," i.e., to the
Eucharistic table. The white garments were worn during
the week following Easter, and on Low Sunday the newly
baptized appeared for the first time without their white
robes. It is for this reason that Low Sunday is known in
the language of the Church as Dommica in Albis {de-
positis), i.e., the Sunday on which the newly baptized ap-
peared after laying aside their white baptismal robes.

Read the articles on Catechumen, Holy Saturday, Bap-
tism (esp. part XV), Red Sea (esp. the last paragraph), in
the Cath. Encycl.

1. '^ After the passage of the Red Sea, clothed in white
robes at the royal banquet of the Lamb, let us sing to
Christ our King." Stolis: The stole was originally a long,
beautiful, flowing outer garment. Maris rubri: The Red Sea
is a symbol of Baptism. Et omnes in Moyse baptizati sunt
in nube et in mari (I Cor. 10, 2). Under the leadership of
Moses, who was a figure of Christ, the Jews received Bap-
tism in figure by their passage through the Red Sea. Thus
also by eating of the manna, they partook in figure of the
Eucharistic manna (cf. Exodus 13). The following is Father
Husenbeth's translation of this stanza:

Come to the regal feast displayed.
In robes of purest white arrayed,
The Red Sea's threatening perils past,
And sing to Christ secure at last.

2. ''His divine charity gives us His sacred Blood to
drink; and love, as priest, immolates the members of His
august Body. ' '

3. **The destroying Angel sees with awe the blood upon
the door-posts : the sea divided flees, the foe is overwhelmed
by the waters." The sprinkling of the door-posts of the
Israelites with the blood of the Paschal Lamb, to preserve
them from the sword of the destroying Angel, is a figure of
our redemption by the Blood of Him whom the Paschal

146

EASTERTIDE

Lamb prefigured (cf. Ex. 12, 22-23). Divisum mare: (cf.
Ex. 14, 22-31).

4. "Now Christ is our Pasch, and the same is our
Paschal victim, and the pure unleavened bread of sincerity
for pure souls." Victima paschaliSfFaschalljamb. Itaque
epulemur, nori in f ermento veteri, neque in fermento malitiae
et nequitiae, sed in azymis sinceritatis et veritatis (I Cor.
5, 8). Leaven is a symbol of corruption, hence of sin: un-
leavened bread is symbolical of purity and of freedom from
corruption.

5. ''0 true Victim of heaven, by whom hell was van-
quished, the bonds of death were broken, and the rewards
of life regained. ' ' Cui = a quo : in the passive, this use of
the dative is quite common.

6. ''Hell having been subdued, Christ as victor displays
His trophies; and, heaven opened. He drags behind Him
the vanquished king of darkness." Trahit (post se).

7. ''That Thou, 0 Jesus, mayest be an everlasting
Paschal joy to our hearts, deliver us re-born to life, from a
dire death of sin. ' '

Rex sempiterne cwlitum

REX sempiterne coelitum,
Rerum Creator omnium,
y^qualis ante saecula
Semper Parent! Filius.

^Nascente qui mundo Faber
Imaginem vultus tui
Tradens Adamo, nobilem
Limo jugasti spiritum.

'Cum livor et fraus daemonis
Foedasset humanum genus:

OTHOU, the heavens' eternal
King,
Creator, unto Thee we sing.
With God the Father ever One,
Co-equal, co-eternal Son.

Thy hand, when first the world

began,
Made in Thine ovv'n pure image

man.
And linked to Adam, sprung from

earth,
A living soul of heavenly birth.

And when by craft the envious

foe
Had marred Thy noblest work

below,

147

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Tu carne amictus, perditam
Formam reformas Artifex.

* Qui natus olim e Virgine,
Nunc e sepulcro nasceris
Tecumque nos a mortuis
Jubes sepultos surgere.

''Qui pastor aeternus gregem
Aqua lavas Baptismatis:
Haec est lavacrum mentium;
Haec est sepulcrum criminum.

® Nobis diu qui debitae
Redemptor affixus Cruci,
Nostrae dedisti prodigus
Pretium salutis sanguinem.

^Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale, Jesu, gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
Vitae renatos libera.

'Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

Clothed in our flesh, Thou didst

restore
The image Thou hadst made

before.

Once wast Thou born of Mary's

womb;
And now, new-born from out the

tomb,
0 Christ, Thou bidd'st us rise

with Thee
From death to immortality.

Eternal Shepherd, Thou dost lave
Thy flock in pure baptismal

wave —
That mystic bath, that grave of

sin,
Where ransomed souls new life

begin.

Redeemer, Thou for us didst deign
To hang upon the Cross of pain,
And give for us the lavish price
Of Thine own Blood in sacrifice.

Grant, Lord, in Thee each faithful

mind
Unceasing Paschal joy may find;
And from the death of sin set free
Souls newly born to life by Thee.

To Thee, once dead, who now dost

live.
All glory. Lord, Thy people give.
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Ghost forevermore.

Author: Ambrosian, 6th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation a cento. There are ten translations. Lit-
urgical Use : Matins liymn from Low Sunday till Ascension
Day. This hymn is a revision of the Original Text, Rex
ceterne Domine, the first line of which was, in the revision
of 1568, altered to Rex sempiterne Domine (Benedictine
Breviary Text) ; this in turn was altered in 1632 to the

148

EASTERTIDE

Roman Breviary Text, Rex sempiterne ccelitum. In its orig-
inal form, it contained sixteen stanzas. It is mentioned in
the Rule of Aurelianus of Aries (d. 555) and by St. Bede
(d. 735) in his De Arte Metrica.

1. ''0 eternal King of the blessed. Creator of all things,
Son ever equal to the Father, before all ages : ' ' The hymn
is addressed to the Son by whom all things were made (cf.
John 1, 1-14; Col. 1,12-22). Coelitum, from codes, itis.

2. ' ' Who as Creator, when the world was made, didst be-
stow upon Adam the image of Thy countenance, and didst
yoke a noble spirit with the slime of the earth." Imago:
Faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram
(Gen. 1, 26). Formavit igitur Dominus Deus hominem de
limo terrae, et inspiravit in faciem ejus spiraculum vitae, et
f actus est homo in animam viventem (Gen. 2, 7).

3. ' ' When the envy and deception of the devil had disfig-
ured the human race. Thou, the Maker, clothed in flesh
didst restore the lost form." Formam, beauty. Livor =
invidia, envy, malice.

4. ''As Thou wast once born of a Virgin, so art Thou
now born from the tomb ; and Thou dost bid us buried with
Thee, to arise from the dead." (cf. Rom. 6, 4.)

5. * ' Thou art the eternal Shepherd who dost cleanse Thy
flock in the waters of Baptism: that is the laver of souls,
that is the sepulcher of sin." The purification of the soul
by washing is a common figure in the Old Testament.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea : et a peccato meo munda
me (Ps. 50, 4).

6. "As Redeemer fastened to the Cross, which was long
our due, Thou didst lavishly give Thy Blood as the price
of our salvation." Debitcs agrees with cruci; on account of
our sins, the Cross (i.e., crucifixion) was long and justly due
us.

7. ''That Thou, 0 Jesus, mayest be an everlasting
Paschal joy to our hearts, deliver us re-born to life, from a
dire death of sin. ' '

149

PROPER OF THE SEASON
Aurora ccelum purpurat

AURORA coelum purpurat,
i^ther resultat laudibus,
Mundus triumphans jubilat,
Horrens avernus inf remit:

^Rex ille dum fortissimus
De mortis inferno specu
Patrum senatum liberum
Educit ad vitae jubar.

'Cujus sepulchrum plurimo
Custode signabat lapis,
Victor triumphat, et suo
Mortem sepulchro funerat.

*Sat funeri, sat lacrimis,
Sat est datum doloribus:
Surrexit exstinctor necis,
Clamat coruscans Angelus.

'Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
VitSB renatos libera.

•Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

THE morn had spread her
crimson rays.
When rang the skies with shouts

of praise;
Earth joined the joyful hymn to

swell,
That brought despair to van-
quished hell.

He comes victorious from the

grave,
The Lord omnipotent to save,
And brings with Him to light of

day
The Saints who long imprisoned

lay.

Vain is the cavern's three-fold

ward —
The stone, the seal, the armed

guard ;
O death, no more thine arm we

fear,
The Victor's tomb is now thy bier.

Let hymns of joy to grief succeed,
We know that Christ is risen

indeed;
We hear His white-robed Angel's

voice.
And in our risen Lord rejoice.

With Christ we died, with Christ

we rose,
When at the font His name we

chose;
Dh, let not sin our robes defile.
And turn to grief the Paschal

smile.

To God the Father let us sing.
To God the Son, our risen King,
And equally let us adore
The Spirit, God forevermore.

150

EASTERTIDE

Author: Ambrosian, 4th or 5th cent. Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Robert Campbell. Liturgical
Use: Hymn at Lauds from Low Sunday to the Ascension.
In its complete form this hymn comprises forty-four lines.
For Breviary use it is divided into three parts. These
parts are given here as Hymns 62, 63 and 64. In each
hymn the stanza beginning Tu sis perennis mentium and
the doxology form no part of the original hymn. The
hymn was greatly altered by the revisers under Urban
VIII (1632). The first lines of the three parts of the
Original Text and of the Roman Breviary Text are as
follows ;

Roman Breviary Text Original Text

62 Aurora caelum purpurat Aurora lucis rutilat

63 Tristes erant Apostoli Tristes erant Apostoli

64 Paschale mundo gaudium Claro Paschali gaudio

Including both texts, there are twenty-seven translations
of No. 62 ; there are about fifteen translations each of the
Nos. 63 and 64. The Annus Sanctus contains four transla-
tions, one of which is from the Original Text. It also con-
tains two translations of Sermone blando angelus, which be-
gins with the sixth stanza of the Original Text. There is an
article on Aurora lucis rutilat in the Cath. Encycl. It is
worthy of note that this is the only instance in the Cath.
Encycl. in which the first line of the Original Text is used
as a title instead of the first line of the Revised Text of
Urban VIII — the Roman Breviary Text. Liturgical Use:
No. 62 is the hymn for Lauds from Low Sunday to the
Ascension. No. 63 is assigned to Vespers and Matins, and
No. 64 to Lauds, in the Common Office of Apostles and
Evangelists during Paschal Time.

1. *'The dawn is purpling the sky; the air resounds with
hymns of praise; the exulting earth shouts for joy; trem-
bling hell rages. ' '

2. ''While He the almighty King leads forth the liber-
ated host of the fathers from the darksome cavern of death
to the light of life. ' ' Inferno specu = Limbo. There is an
article on Limbo in the Cath. Encycl. Senatus, a council of
elders j a body of venerable and distinguished persons such

151

PROPER OF THE SEASON

as the patriarchs, prophets, etc., who awaited in Limbo the
coming of the Messias.

3. ''Whose sepulcher, surrounded by an ample guard, a
stone seals ; (nevertheless) as a conqueror He triumphs, and
He buries death in His own sepulcher. ' ' Illi autem abeuntes
munierunt sepulchrum, signantes lapidem cum custodibus
(Matt. 27, 66). Absorpta est mors in victoria. Ubi est, mors,
victoria tuaf Ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus? ( I Cor. 15,
54-55).

4. "Enough of death, enough of tears, enough of sor-
rows! The conqueror of death has risen, the resplendent
Angel cries." Sat = satis: Enough time have ye given to
death, to weeping and to sorrows. Exstinctor, destroyer,
annihilator.

5. ''That Thou, 0 Jesus, mayest be the everlasting
Paschal joy of our hearts, deliver us re-born to life, from
a dire death of sin."

Tristes erant Apostoli

TRISTES erant Apostoli
De Christi acerbo funere,
Quera morte crudelissima
Servi necarant impii.

^Sermone verax Angelus
Mulieribus praedixerat:
Mox ore Christus gaudium
Gregi feret fidelium.

'Ad anxios Apostolos
Currunt statim dum nuntiae,
Illae micantis obvia
Christi tenent vestigia.

WHILE Christ's disciples,
grieving, sad,
Their Master's painful death

deplore,
Whom faithless servants' cruel

hands,
Had bathed in His own crimson
gore;

Quick from the happy realms

above.
An Angel comes on joyful wing,
And to the women tells the joy
That to His flock their Lord will

bring.

As they with eager steps make

haste,
Their joyous message to repeat,
Their Master's glorious form they

see,
And falling clasp His sacred feet.

152

EASTERTIDE

* Galilseas ad alta montium
Se conferunt Apostoli,
Jesuque, voti compotes,
Almo beantur lumine.

^Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium;
A morte dira criniinum
Vitae renatos libera.

'Dec Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

Cheered by this tale, His faithful

flock
The Galilean mount ascend.
And there with loving awe behold
Their heart's sole wish, their
truest friend.

That Thou mayst be our Paschal

joy
Through happy, never-ending

years.
Thine own poor children, Jesu,

free
From sin's sad death with all its

fears.

To God the Father, and the Son,
Who rose from death, glad praisQ

repeat;
Let equal praise be ever sung
To God the Holy Paraclete.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Transla-
tion by Father Potter. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers
and Matins in the Common Office of Apostles and Evangel-
ists in Eastertide.

1. ''The Apostles were sad over the bitter interment of
Christ, whom impious servants had slain by a most cruel
death." Servi impii, the Jews.

2. ''The Angel, truthful in speech, had foretold to the
women : ' Soon by word of mouth shall Christ bring joy to
the flock of the faithful.' " Respondens autem Angelus
dixit mulieribus : Nolite timere vos : scio enim, quod Jesum,
qui crucifixus est, quaeritis. Non est hie ; surrexit enim sicut
dixit (Matt. 28, 5-6).

3. "While they forthwith as messengers are hastening to
the anxious Apostles, they clasp the feet of the radiant
Christ meeting them on the way. ' ' Vestigia, lit., footsteps,
footprints : obvia agrees with vestigia. Et exierunt cito de
monumento cum timore et gaudio magno, currentes nun-
tiare discipulis ejus. Et ecce Jesus occurrit illis, dicens:
Avete. IllaB autem accesserunt, et tenuerunt pedes ejus, et
adoraverunt eum (Matt. 28, 8-9).

153

PROPER OF THE SEASON

4. '*To the mountain heights of Galilee the Apostles be-
take themselves: and their wish is fulfilled; they are made
happy by the kindly light of Jesus." Ad alta montium =
ad altos montes. Altum, i, a height. Undecim autem dis-
cipuli abierunt in Galilaeam in montem, ubi constituerat illis
Jesus (Matt. 28, 16).

5. ^'That Thou, 0 Jesus, mayest be an everlasting
Paschal joy to our hearts, deliver us re-born to life, from a
dire death of sin."

Paschale mundo gaudium

PASCHALE mundo gaudium
Sol nuntiat formosior.
Cum luce fulgentem nova
Jesmn vident Apostoli.

ITH the fair sun of Easter

morn

The world's excelling joy is born,
When, bright with new and greater

grace,
The Apostles see the Saviour's

face.

^In carne Christi vulnera
Micare tamquam sidera
Mirantur, et quidquid vident
Testes fideles prsedicant.

They in their Lord's fair flesh
descry

The wounds that shine as stars on
high,

And, wondering, faithful witness
bear.

And all that they have seen de-
clare.

^ Rex Christe clementissime,
Tu corda nostra posside:
Ut lingua grates debitas
Tuo rependat nomini.

*Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium;
A morte dira criminum
Vitae renatos libera.

0 Christ, most loving King, we
pray,

Possess our inmost hearts to-day,

While grateful lips with glad ac-
claim

Sing fervent praises to Thy Name.

Lord Jesu, that Thou mayest be

Our Easter joy eternally,

Our souls from death of sin set

free
That they, new born, may live to

Thee,

154

EASTERTIDE

^ Deo Patri sit gloria, To God the Father, and the Son,

Et Filio, qui a mortuis From death arisen, praise be

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, done:

In sempiterna saecula. With God the Holy Ghost on high

Henceforth to all eternity.

This is a continuation of the two preceding hymns.
Translation by Alan G. McDougall. Liturgical Use:
Hymn for Lauds in the Common Office of Apostles and
Evangelists in Eastertide.

1. **A more beauteous sun proclaims to the world the
joys of Easter, when the Apostles behold Jesus resplendent
with a new light. ' ' The ' ' new light ' ' is that which emanates
from His glorified body. The sun is now "more beauteous"
for at His death it was darkened.

2. "They wonder to see the wounds in the flesh of
Christ shine like stars, and what they see, as faithful wit-
nesses, they proclaim." Vulnera: That the marks of the
nails and spear were plainly visible in the glorified body of
Christ is evident from the testimony of St. Thomas (cf.
John 20, 27-28).

3. "0 Christ, King most merciful, possess Thou our
hearts, that our tongues may return due thanks to Thy
Name. ' '

4. "That Thou, 0 Jesus, mayest be the everlasting
Paschal joy of our hearts, deliver us re-born to life, from a
dire death of sin."

65 Salutis humancB Sator

SALUTIS humanse Sator, TITAIL, Thou who man's Re-

Jesu, voluptas cordium, -"--^ deemer art,

Orbis redempti Conditor, Jesu, the joy of every heart;

Et casta lux amantium: Great Maker of the world's wide

frame,
And purest love's delight and
flame:

''Qua victus es dementia, What nameless mercy Thee o'er-

Ut nostra ferres crimina? came,

To bear our load of sin and
shame?

155

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Mortem subires innocens,
A morte nos ut toUeres?

^Perrumpis infernum chaos;
Vinctis catenas detrahis;
Victor triumpho nobili
Ad dexteram Patris sedes.

*Te cogat indulgentia,
Ut damna nostra sarcias
Tuique vultus compotes
Dites beato lumine.

^Tu dux ad astra, et semita,
Sis meta nostris cordibus,
Sis lacrymarum gaudimn,
Sis dulce vitae praemium.

For guiltless, Thou Thy life didst

give,
That sinful erring man might

live.

The realms of woe are forced by

Thee,
Its captives from their chains set

free;
And Thou, amid Thy ransomed

train,
At God's right hand dost victor

reign.

Let mercy sweet with Thee prevail,
To cure the wounds we now be-
wail;
Oh, bless us with Thy holy sight,
And fill us with eternal light.

Our guide, our way to heavenly

rest.
Be Thou the aim of every breast;
Be Thou the soother of our tears,
Our sweet reward above the

spheres.

Authoe: Ambrosian, 7th or Sth cent. Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Potter. First line of Orig-
inal Text: Jesu nostra redemptio. The Annus Sanctus con-
tains eight translations of this hymn, both texts being rep-
resented. In all there are about thirty translations. Lit-
urgical Use: Vespers hymn from the Ascension to Pente-
cost.

1. '*0 Jesus, Author of man's salvation, the delight of
our hearts, the Creator of the world redeemed, and chaste
light of those that love Thee." Sator, lit., a sower, planter:
** Sower of Life's immortal seed." — Caswall.

2. ''By what mercy wert Thou overcome that Thou
wouldst bear our sins, and innocent, wouldst suffer
death to free us from death?" Ipse autem vulneratus est
propter iniquitates nostras, attritus est propter scelera
nostra (Is. 53, 5).

3. ' ' Thou didst break open the lower regions, and remove

156

EASTERTIDE

the chains of them that were bound; as a conqueror in a
noble triumph, Thou dost now sit at the right hand of the
Father.^' Infernum chaos, Limbo ; '*He descended into hell"
(Creed). Ad dexteram Patris sedes: Dixit Dominus Dom-
ino meo: sede a dextris meis (Ps. 109, 1; Matt. 22, 44);
Dominus = Pater; Domino = Filio; sede, abide, be. The
expression ''sit Thou at my right hand" signifies the place
of highest honor, but it implies no particular posture of
body.

4. ''May Thy mercy constrain Thee to repair our loss,
and in the contemplation of Thy countenance, mayest Thou
gladden us with blessed light." Vultus compotes, partici-
pating in the beatific vision. See the article on Beatific
Vision, and Part III of the article on Heaven, in the Cath.
Encycl.

5. ' ' Thou guide and way to heaven, be Thou the goal of
our hearts, our joy in tears, the sweet reward of life."
Semita = via: Ego sum via, et Veritas et vita (John 14, 6).

/Eterne Rex altissime

AETERNE Rex altissime,
Redemptor et fidelium,
Cui mors pererapta detulit
Summae triumphum gloriae.

^Ascendis orbes siderum,
Quo te vocabat coelitus
Collata, non humanitus,
Rerum potestas omnium.

^Ut trina rerum machina,
Coelestium, terrestrium,
Et inferorum condita,
Flectat genu jam subdita.

ETERNAL Monarch, King most
High,
Whose Blood hath brought re-
demption nigh,
By whom the death of Death was

wrought,
And conquering grace's battle
fought :

Ascending by the starry road.
This day Thou wentest home to

God,
By Heaven to power unending

called,
And by no human hand installed.

That so, in nature's triple frame,

Each heavenly and each earthly
name,

And things in hell's abyss ab-
horred,

May bend the knee and own Him
Lord.
157

PROPER OF THE SEASON

*Tremunt videntes Angeli
Versam vicem mortalium:
Peccat caro, mundat caro,
Regnat Deus Dei caro.

'Sis ipse nostrum gaudium,
Manens olympo praemium,
Mundi regis qui fabricam,
Mundana vincens gaudia.

®Hinc te precantes quaesumus,
Ignosce culpis omnibus,
Et corda sursum subleva
Ad te superna gratia.

^Ut cum repente coeperis
Clarere nube judicis,
Poenas repellas debitas,
Reddas coronas perditas.

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui victor in coelum redis,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

Yea, Angels tremble when they see
How changed is our humanity;
That Flesh hath purged what flesh

had stained,
And God, the flesh of God, hath

reigned.

Be Thou our joy, 0 mighty Lord,

As Thou wilt be our great re-
ward;

Earth's joys to Thee are nothing
worth,

Thou joy and crown of heaven
and earth.

To Thee we therefore humbly pray
That Thou wouldst purge our sins

away.
And draw our hearts by cords of

grace
To Thy celestial dwelling-place.

So when the Judgment day shall
come.

And all must rise to meet their
doom,

Thou wilt remit the debts we owe.

And our lost crowns again be-
stow.

All glory, Lord, to Thee we pay,
Ascending o'er the stars to-day;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.

Author : Ambrosian, 5th cent. Meter : Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale and others. There are fifteen
translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Matins from As-
cension to Pentecost.

1. **0 eternal and sovereign King, and Redeemer of the
faithful, to whom the annihilation of death brought a tri-
umph of the greatest glory:"

2. *'Thou didst ascend above the orbits of the stars,
whither the sovereignty over all things summoned Thee,
which sovereignty was given Thee from heaven, not by

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WHITSUNTIDE

men.** Ccelitus, adv. from above, by the Father. Data est
mihi omnis potestas in coelo et in terra (Matt. 28, 18).

3. "So that the threefold fabric of the universe, creatures
{condita) of heaven, of earth, and of hell, may now in sub-
mission bend the knee to Thee." Condita ■= creata. Machina,
order, structure, fabric, kingdom. Ut in nomine Jesu omne
genu flectatur ccelestium, terrestrium, et infernorum (Phil.
2, 10).

4. **The Angels tremble, beholding the altered lot of
mortals : flesh sinned. Flesh cleanses from sin, the God-Man
reigns as God." Dei caro: lit., "the flesh of God reigns as
God." Vicem, lot, estate, condition; versam, changed, re-
versed.

5. "Be Thou Thyself our joy, our abiding reward in
heaven. Thou who, surpassing all earthly joys, dost rule
over the fabric of the universe. ' '

6. ' ' Therefore, praying we beseech Thee, pardon all our
sins, and by Thy heavenly grace raise aloft our hearts to
Thee."

7. "That when Thou dost unexpectedly begin to shine in
splendor on a cloud as judge. Thou mayest remit the pun-
ishments due, and restore our lost crowns." Et tunc vide-
bunt Filium hominis venientem in nube cum potestate
magna, et majestate (Luke 21, 27).

WHITSUNTIDE
67 Veni, Sancte Spiritus

VENI, Sancte Spiritus, H^^^ SPIRIT, come and shine

Et emitte ccelitus '^-■- On our souls with beams
Lucis tuse radium. divine,

Veni pater pauperum, Issuing from Thy radiance bright.

Veni dator munerum, Come, 0 Father of the poor,

Veni lumen cordium. Ever bounteous of Thy store,

Come, our hearts' unfailing light.

^Consolator optime. Come, Consoler, kindest, best,

Dulcis hospes animae, Come, our bosom's dearest guest,

Dulce refrigerium. Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.

159

PROPER OF THE SEASON

In labore requies,
In aestu temperies.
In fletu solatium.

^0 lux beatissima,
Reple cordis intima
Tuorum fidelium.
Sine tuo numine,
Nihil est in homine.
Nihil est innoxium.

*Lava quod est sordidum,
Riga quod est aridum,
Sana quod est saucium.
Flecte quod est rigidum,
Fove quod est frigidum,
Rege quod est devium.

''Da tuis fidelibus,
In te confidentibus,
Sacrum septenariura.
Da virtutis meritiun,
Da salutis exitum,
Da perenne gaudium.

Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

0 divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's

bright flood.
But for Thy blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed Thy gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each

will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and

chill.
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all Thy faithful just,
Who in Thee confide and trust.
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase.
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.

Author: Probably by Pope Innocent III (1161-1216).
Meter : Trochaic dimeter catalectic. Translation by Father
Aylward, O.P. There are about forty translations ; of these
Father Caswall's is the most widely used. There are six
translations in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use: Se-
quence for Whitsunday and throughout the octave. In me-
dieval times the Veni Sancte Spiritus was known as ''The
Golden Sequence." In the opinion of critics it is justly re-
garded as one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred Latin
poetry. Trench considers it the loveliest of all the hymns in
the whole circle of sacred Latin poetry, and adds that it
could only have been composed by one who had been ac-
quainted with many sorrows, and also with many consola-
tions {Sacred Latin Poetry, p. 195). "The Sequence for
Whitsunday," says Dr. Gihr, ''can have come but from a
heart wholly inflamed with the fire of the Holy Ghost. It is

160

WHITSUNTIDE

an incomparable hymn, breathing of the sweetness of Para-
dise, and regaling us with heaven's sweetest fragrance.
Only the soul buried in deep recollection can suspect and
taste the wealth of deep thought and affections this Pente-
cost hymn contains, and that, too, in a form remarkable as
much for beauty as for brevity" {The Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass, p. 464). There is an article on the Veni Sancte
Spiritus, in the Cath. Encycl.

In studying this hymn the richness of the rhyme is deserv-
ing of special note. In each of the six-line stanzas, lines 1
and 2, 3 and 6, 4 and 5 rhyme ; and every third line through-
out the hymn ends in ium.

The introductory and thrice repeated Veni in the first
stanza is expressive of the intense longing of a world-
buffeted, sin-harried soul for the advent of the "best con-
soler. ' ' The similar repetition of the verb Da in the closing
stanza is equally expressive of earnestness and of loving
confidence in the ''giver of gifts."

1. "Come Holy Spirit, and send forth from heaven the
ray of Thy light. Come, Father of the poor; come, giver
of gifts; come, light of hearts." Pater pauperum, i.e., the
poor in spirit (Matt. 5, 3) who may either be destitute of the
goods of this world, or detached from them, "as having
nothing, and possessing all things" (II Cor. 6, 10). Dator
munerum: The Holy Spirit is the dispenser of the countless
gifts or graces which Christ merited for us.

2. "Thou best consoler, sweet guest of the soul, sweet
coolness: in labor, rest; in heat, refreshment; in tears,
solace." Consolator, the Latin rendering of the Greek
Paraclitus, consoler, comforter.

3. "0 most blessed Light, fill Thou the inmost recesses
of the hearts of Thy faithful! Without Thy divine as-
sistance there is nothing in man, nothing harmless."

4. "Cleanse what is base, bedew what is parched, heal
what is wounded ; bend what is rigid, warm what is chilled,
guide what is astray." Lava, wash — by Baptism and
Penance; riga, bedew with Thy grace; sana, heal what is
wounded by sin; fleet e, bend what is fixed — the stubborn
will; fove, warm what is cold — our hearts; rege, guide
sinners.

161

PROPER OF THE SEASON

5. ''Give to Thy faithful confiding in Thee Thy sevenfold
gifts. Give them the reward of virtue ; give them the death
of safety (a happy death) ; give them eternal joy. ' ' Sacrum
septenarium, the sacred sevenfold gifts, viz., wisdom,
understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and
the fear of the Lord (cf. Is. 11, 2-3).

Veni Creator Spiritus

VENI Creator Spiritus,
Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.

CREATOR-SPIRIT, all-Divine,
Come, visit every soul of
Thine,
And fill with Thy celestial flame
The hearts which Thou Thyself
didst frame.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
Altissimi donum Dei,
Eons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.

^ Tu septif ormis munere.
Digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.

*Accende lumen sensibus:
Infimde amorem cordibus:
Infirma nostri corporis
Virtute firmans perpeti.

'Hostem repellas longius,
Pacemque dones protinus:
Ductore sic te praevio,
Vitemus omne noxium.

O gift of God, Thine is the sweet
Consoling name of Paraclete —
And spring of life and fire and

love
And unction flowing from above.

The mystic sevenfold gifts are

Thine,
Finger of God's right hand

divine;
The Father's promise sent to

teach
The tongue a rich and heavenly

speech.

Kindle with fire brought from
above

Each sense, and fill our hearts with
love;

And grant our flesh, so weak and
frail,

The strength of Thine which can-
not fail.

Drive far away our deadly foe.
And grant us Thy true peace to

know;
So we, led by Thy guidance still,
May safely pass through every ill.

162

WHITSUNTIDE

' Per te sciamus da Patrem, To us, through Thee, the grace be

Noscamus atque Filium; shown

Teque utriusque Spiritum To know the Father and the Son;

Credamus orani tempore. And Spirit of Them both, may we

Forever rest our faith in Thee.

^Deo Patri sit gloria. To Sire and Son be praises meet,

Et Filio, qui a mortuis And to the Holy Paraclete;

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, And may Christ send us from

In saeculorum saecula. above

That Holy Spirit's gift of love.

Author: Probably by Rabanus Maurus (776-856).
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Aylward,
O.P. There are about sixty translations, eight of which
are in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Vespers and Terce on Whitsunday and throughout the
octave. Terce (the 3d hour, 9:00 A. M.) was the hour on
which the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles (Acts
2, 15). The hymn is used on many other solemn occasions
in liturgical and extra-liturgical functions as an invocation
to the Holy Spirit. With the exception of the Te Deum,
there is probably no other hymn so extensively used in the
Church as the Veni Creator Spiritus.

The authorship has been variously ascribed to Rabanus
Maurus, Charlemagne, St. Ambrose, and to St. Gregory
the Great. Read the articles on the Veni Creator Spiritus,
Paraclete, and on Holy Ghost, in the Cath. Encyd.

1. ' ' Come, Creator Spirit, visit the souls of Thy children,
and fill with heavenly grace the hearts which Thou hast
made." Creator: The three Divine Persons concur equally
in their external operation; thus the Father created, the
Son created, and the Holy Ghost created.

2. *'Thou who art called the Paraclete, the gift of God
most high, the living fountain, fire, love, and spiritual
unction." Paraclitus: the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit; a
Greek word signifying — the consoler, comforter. In the
Scriptures the word occurs only in St. John 14, 16 ; 14, 26 ;
15, 26; 16, 7. Donum: The Holy Spirit is called the ''gift
of God most high. ' ' To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
(Acts 2, 38) is equivalent to receiving the Holy Ghost with

163

PROPER OF THE SEASON

His gifts. Fons vivus: Sed aqua, quam ego dabo ei, fiet in
eo fons aquse salientis in vitam seternam (John 4, 14).
Ignis: Earthly fire illuminates, enkindles, consumes, and
purifies from dross ; so too, in its nature, is the fire of the
Holy Spirit — enlightening, love-enkindling, sin-destroying,
and purifying. This fire manifests itself in works of
charity, and especially in preaching with zeal and fervor
the word of God. Caritas: Deus caritas est, et qui manet
in caritate, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo (I John 4, 16).
Spiritalis — Spiritualis ; The grace of God is called unction
or anointing because the effects produced by it in the
spiritual order are analogous to those produced by oint-
ment in the natural order. It cools, refreshes, exhilarates,
strengthens, heals, enriches, etc.

3. ''Thou art sevenfold in Thy gifts, the finger of the
Father's right hand; Thou art the express promise of the
Father, endowing tongues with speech." Septifonnis:
The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost are enumerated by the
Prophet Isaias : Et requiescet super eum spiritus Domini ;
spiritus sapientias et intellectus, spiritus consilii et forti-
tudinis, spiritus scientiaB et pietatis, et replebit eum spiritus
timoris Domini (Is. 11, 2-3). Digitus Dei: The Holy Spirit
is called the "finger of God" as may be seen from the fol-
lowing parallel passages: Si in digito Dei ejicio daemonia
(Luke 11, 20). Si autem ego in Spiritu Dei ejicio daemones
(Matt. 12, 28). Rite, explicit, distinctly stated. Promis-
sum, i = promissio. Et ego mitto promissum Patris mei in
vos (Luke 24, 49). Sed expectarent promissionem Patris
(Acts 1, 4). Sermone: A reference to the gift of tongues
(Acts 2,4).

4. ''Enkindle Thy light within our minds, infuse Thy
love into our hearts ; strengthen the weakness of our flesh
by Thy never-failing power. ' '

5. "Drive far away our enemy, and forthwith grant us
peace; so that while Thou leadest the way as our guide,
we may avoid everything harmful."

6. "Grant that through Thee we may know the Father;
through Thee, the Son ; and may we ever believe in Thee,
the Spirit of Them both."

164

WHITSUNTIDE
Jam Christus astra ascenderat

JAM Christus astra ascenderat,
Reversus unde venerat,
Patris fruendum munere
Sanctum daturus Spiritum.

Solemnis urgebat dies,
Quo mystico septemplici
Orbis volutus septies.
Signal beata tempora.

^Cum lucis hora tertia
Repente mundus intonat,

Apostolis orantibus
Deum venire nuntiat.

*De Patris ergo lumine
Decorus ignis almus est,
Qui fida Christi pectora
Galore Verbi compleat.

'Impleta gaudent viscera,
Afflata sancto Spiritu,
Vocesque diversas sonant,
Fantur Dei magnalia.

'Notique cunctis Gentibus,
Graecis, Latinis, Barbaris,
Simulque demirantibus,
Linguis loquuntur omnium.

NOW Christ, ascending whence
He came.
Had mounted o'er the starry

frame,
The Holy Ghost on man below,
The Father's promise, to bestow.

The solemn time was drawing

nigh.
Replete with heav'nly mystery.
On seven days' sevenfold circles

borne,
That first and blessed Whitsun-

morn.

When the third hour shone all

around,
There came a rushing mighty

sound.
And told the Apostles, while in

prayer.
That, as was promised, God was

there.

Forth from the Father's light it

came.
That beautiful and kindly flame:
To fill with fervor of His word
The spirits faithful to their Lord.

With joy the Apostles' breasts are

fired.
By God the Holy Ghost inspired:
And straight, in divers kinds of

speech.
The wondrous works of God they

preach.

To men of every race they speak,
Alike Barbarian, Roman, Greek:
From the same lips, with awe and

fear,
All men their native accents hear.

165

PROPER OF THE SEASON

'Judaea tunc incredula, But Juda's sons, e'en faithless yet,

Vesana torvo spiritu, With mad infuriate rage beset,

Madere musto sobrios To mock Christ's followers com-

Christi fideles increpat. bine,

As drunken all with new-made
wine.

*Sed editis miraculis When lo! with signs and mighty

Occurrit et docet Petrus, deeds,

Falsum profari perfidos, Stands Peter in the midst, and

Joele teste comprobans. pleads;

Confounding their malignant lie
By Joel's ancient prophecy.

' Deo Patri sit gloria, To God the Father let us sing,

Et Filio, qui a mortuis To God the Son, our risen King,

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, And equally let us adore

In saeculorum saecula. The Spirit, God forevermore.

Author: Ambrosian, 4th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation : First four stanzas by J. M. Neale ; remainder
by G. H. Palmer and J. W. Doran. There are about
fifteen translations, three of which are in the Annus Sanc-
tus. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on Whitsunday
and throughout the octave. The hymn is a metrical setting
of Acts 2, 1-16.

1. *' Christ had already ascended on high, returning
whence He came, that He might send the Holy Spirit, who
was to be received as the gift of the Father." Fruendum:
fut. part, of fruor, signifying one who or that which is to be
enjoyed; here rather in the sense of ''to be imparted.''
Munere, by the liberality, generosity, etc. The Holy Ghost
proceeds from the Father and the Son, and was sent by the
Father and the Son.

2. ' ' The solemn day drew nigh, on which the earth, hav-
ing revolved seven times in the mystical sevenfold, an-
nounces the blessed time." Dies, Pentecost. Septemplici =
hebdomas, a period of seven days. It is styled mystical
because of the well known mysterious significance of the
number seven. The meaning of the stanza is that seven
times seven revolutions of the earth take place between
Easter and Pentecost. The Pentecost of the Jews was
celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover or Jewish

1G6

WHITSUNTIDE

Easter. The Easter and Pentecost of the Jews were figures
of the Christian festivals. The Pentecost of the Old Law
was the festival on which was celebrated the 'ingathering"
of, and also the thanksgiving for the harvest (cf. Ex. 34,
22; Dent. 16, 9-10). See also the article on Whitsunday,
in the Cath. Encycl.

Behold the appointed morn appear

In solemn mystery sublime!

Seven times sevenfold this earthly sphere

Revolving, marked the blessed time.

— /. D, Chambers.

3. "When at the third hour of day the whole world sud-
denly resounds, and announces to the praying Apostles
that God is come." Deum = Spiritum Sanctum.

4. '*0f the Father's light, therefore, is that beauteous,
kindly flame, which fills with the fervor of the Word the
hearts of those believing in Christ." Fidus is generally
followed by the dative, but in poetry also by the genitive.
Or, fida pectora, Christ's faithful souls. Colore verbi: This
may be interpreted as in Neale's version, viz. *'To fill with
fervor of His word." It would then refer to the gift of
fervid eloquence with which the Apostles were endowed.
Or Verhum might preferably be rendered: the Word, the
eternal Son of God. Note the following:

To warm each faithful breast below
With Christ, the Lord's all-quickening glow.

— Father Aylward.

5. ** Filled therewith (so. colore verbi), their hearts, in-
spired by the Holy Ghost, rejoice, and speaking divers
tongues, they proclaim the wondrous works of God."

6. *'At one and the same time, they (each one) spoke to
the astonished people in the tongues of all, and they were
understood by all, Greeks, Romans, and Barbarians."
Noti {sunt). Cwictis, etc., are in the dative with the pas-
sive, not the ablative. Read the article on Tongues, Gift
of, in the Coth. Encycl.

7. "Then faithless Judea, rendered insane by its savage
spirit, accuses the sober, faithful followers of Christ of
being drunk with new wine." Judcea, i.e., the Jews.

167

PROPER OF THE SEASON

8. *'But by the miracles wrought, Peter opposes them,
and shows that the perfidious Jews speak falsely, proving
it by the testimony of Joel" (cf. Joel 2, 28).

Beata nobis gaudia

BEATA nobis gaudia
Anni reduxit orbita,
Cum Spiritus Paraclitus
Illapsus est Apostolis.

* Ignis vibrante lumine
Linguae figuram detulit,
Verbis ut assent proflui,
£t caritate fervidi.

^Linguis loquuntur omnium,
Turbae pavent Gentilium:
Musto madere deputant,
Quos Spiritus repleverat.

*Patrata sunt haec mystice,
Paschae peracto tempore,
Sacro dierum circulo.
Quo lege fit remissio.

'Te nunc Deus piissime
Vultu precamur cernuo,
lUapsa nobis coelitus
Largire dona Spiritus.

' Dudum sacrata pectora
Tua replesti gratia:
Dimitte nostra crimina,
£t da quieta tempora.

ROUND roll the weeks our
hearts to greet.
With blissful joy returning;
For lo! the Holy Paraclete
On twelve bright brows sits burn-
ing:

With quivering flame He lights on

each.
In fashion like a tongue, to teach
That eloquent they are of speech,
Their hearts with true love yearn-
ing.

While with all tongues they speak
to all.

The nations deem them maddened,

And drunk with wine the Prophets
call,

Whom God's good Spirit glad-
dened;

A marvel this — in mystery done —
The holy Paschaltide outrun.
By numbers told, whose reckoning

won
Remission for the saddened.

0 God most Holy, Thee we pray,
With reverent brow low bending.
Grant us the Spirit's gifts to-day —
The gifts from heaven descending;

And, since. Thy grace hath deigned

to bide
Within our breasts once sanctified.
Deign, Lord, to cast our sins aside,
Henceforth calm seasons sending.

168

WHITSUNTIDE

^Deo Patri sit gloria, To God the Father, laud and

Et Filio, qui a mortuis praise,

Surrexit, ac Paraclito, Praise to the Son be given;

In saeculorum saecula. Praise to the Spirit of all grace,

The fount of graces seven —

As was of old, all worlds before.
Is now and shall be evermore.
When time and change are spent

and o'er —
All praise in earth and heaven.

Author: Ascribed to St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (d.
368), but on insufficient evidence. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by W. J. Blew. There are about twenty trans-
lations. The Annus Sanctus contains three translations,
and a fragment of a fourth. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Lauds on Whitsunday and throughout the octave.

1. ''The circle of the year has again brought back to U3
blessed joys, when the Spirit, the Comforter, came down
upon the Apostles."

2. ''The fire with tremulous flame assumed the shape of
a tongue, that they might be eloquent in speech and fervent
in charity." Et apparuerunt illis dispertitte linguae tam-
quam ignis, seditque supra singulos eorum (Acts 2, 3).

3. ' ' Speaking in the tongues of all, the multitudes of the
Gentiles are amazed: they deemed as drunk with new
wine, those whom the Holy Ghost had filled."

4. "These things were wrought mystically, when the
Paschal time was completed, in the sacred circle of days in
which by law remission occurred. ' ' Circulo = numero, as
in the Original Text. Remissio: The allusion is to the
annus remissionis (Ezech. 46, 17), or Year of Jubilee,
which in the Old Law occurred every fifty years (cf. Lev.
25). During the Year of Jubilee, debts were remitted,
slaves liberated, etc. Read the article on Jubilee, in the
Cath. Encycl. Read also the article on Sabbatical Year,
as both are referred to in Lev. 25.

5. "With bowed heads, we now beseech Thee, 0 most
loving God, to bestow upon us the gifts of the Holy Ghost,
which were sent down from heaven." Largire, imper. of
largior.

169

PROPER OF THE SEASON

6. "Formerly Thou didst fill with Thy grace sacred
breasts; pardon now our sins and grant us peaceful days."
The first two lines of this stanza may refer either to our
own breasts sanctified in Baptism, or to the breasts of the
Apostles which were sanctified in so wondrous a manner
on the day of Pentecost. Note the elaborate English
doxology.

Trinity Sunday
O lux beata Trinitas

OLUX beata Trinitas,
Et principalis Unitas,
Jam sol recedet igneus,
Infunde lumen cordibus.

^Te mane laudimi carmine,
Te deprecemur vespere :
Te nostra supplex gloria
Per cuncta laudet saecula.

0 TRINITY of blessed light,
0 Unity of princely might,
The fiery sun now goes his way;
Shed Thou within our hearts Thy
ray.

morning song of

Thee our

praise.
To Thee our evening prayer we

raise;
Thy glory suppliant we adore
Forever and forevermore.

'Deo Patri sit gloria, All laud to God the Father be;

Ejusque soli Filio, All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;

Cum Spiritu Paraclito, All glory, as is ever meet,

Et nunc et in perpetuum. To God the Holy Paraclete.

Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn for the Feast of the Most
Holy Trinity. The Roman Breviary text of this hymn is
the same as that of the Vespers hymn for Saturday, No.
29, with the substitution of amor em for lumen in 1. 4. The
text given above is the Original Text with a translation of
the same by J. M. Neale. Compare the above Latin text
with the Revised Text, hymn 29.

SummcB Parens clementite

SUMM.^ Parens clementiae,
Mundi regis qui machinam,
Unius et substantias,
Trinusque personis Deus,

OGOD, by whose command is
swayed
This ordered world which Thou

hast made;
Parent of heavenly clemency.
In nature One, in persons Three;

170

TRINITY SUNDAY

^ Da dexteram surgentibus,
Exurgat ut mens sobria,
Flagrans et in laudem Dei
Grates rependat debitas.

'Deo Patri sit gloria,
Natoque Patris unico,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

Assist us while our minds we raise,
Inflamed with Thy immortal

praise;
That with our sober thoughts, we

may
Forever our thanksgiving pay.

May age by age Thy wonders tell,
Eternal praise Thy works reveal.
And sing with the celestial host
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on the Feast of the
Most Holy Trinity. Translation in the Primer, 1706,
probably by John Dryden. This hymn is a cento from
hymns already treated. The first stanza is from Hymn 21 ;
the second, from Hymn 20.

Tu, Trinitatis Unitas

TU, Trinitatis Unitas,
Orbem potenter quae regis,
Attende laudis canticum.
Quod excubantes psallimus.

^Drtus refulget lucifer,
Praeitque solem nuntius:
Cadunt tenebrae noctium:
Lux sancta nos illuminet.

*Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ej usque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculum.

OTHOU, who dost all nature
sway.
Dread Trinity in Unity,
Accept the trembling praise we

pay
To Thy eternal majesty.

The star that heralds in the dawn
Is slowly fading in the skies;
The darkness melts — 0 Thou true

Light,
Upon our darkened souls arise.

To God the Father glory be.
And to the sole-begotten Son,
And Holy Ghost co-equally.
While everlasting ages run.

Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of the
Most Holy Trinity. Translation by Father Caswall.
This hymn is a cento from hymns already treated. The
first stanza is from Hymn 19; the second, from Hymn 20.

171

PROPER OF THE SEASON
O DeuSy ego amo te

ODEUS, ego amo te,
Nee amo te, ut salves me,
Aut quia non amantes te
i^terno pimis igne.

^ Tu, tu, mi Jesu, totum me
Amplexus es in cruce;
Tulisti clavos, lanceam,
Multamque ignominiam.

'Innumeros dolores,
Sudores, et angores,
Et mortem, et haec propter me,
Ac pro me peccatore.

*Cur igitur non amem te,
0 Jesu amantissime,
Non, ut in ccelo salves me,
Aut ne aeternum damnes me,

'^Nec praemii ullius spe,
Sed sicut tu amasti me?
Sic amo et amabo te,
Solum quia Rex meus es,
Et solum quia Deus es.

TI/TY God, I love Thee, not be-

■'-"■*• cause

I hope for heaven thereby;

Nor yet since they who love Thee

not
Must bum eternally.

Thou, 0 my Jesus, Thou didst me

Upon the Cross embrace;

For me didst bear the nails and

spear.
And manifold disgrace;

And griefs and torments number-
less.
And sweat of agony;
E'en death itself; and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, 0 blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well.
Not for the sake of winning

heaven.
Or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining

aught.
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord?

E'en so I love Thee, and will love.
And in Thy praise will sing.
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my eternal King.

Author: St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552). **It seems
fairly certain that the original was a Spanish or Portuguese
sonnet, and was written by St. Francis Xavier in the East
Indies about 1546" {Diet, of Hymnology, p. 1679). There
are several Latin versions ; the author of the above version
is not known. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by
Father Caswall. There are about twenty-five translations.

172

CORPUS CHRISTI

Although this hymn is not found in the Breviary or
Missal it is deservedly very popular. There is an article
on 0 Deus ego amo te in the Cath. Encycl. The article
treats of two Latin hymns beginning with the same first
line ; both hymns are attributed to St. Francis Xavier. Of
these hymns Dr. Duffield says: "They are transfused and
shot through by a personal sense of absorption into the
divine love, w^hich has fused and crystallized them in its
fiercest heat. ' ' And to their author, he pays this beautiful
tribute: "It is impossible to study his life without a con-
viction there was in it a devout and gallant purpose to bless
the world .... And in the two hymns which bear his
name we are able to discover that fine attar which is the
precious residuum of many crushed and fragrant aspira-
tions, which grew above the thorns of sharp trial and were
strewn at last upon the wind-swept beach of that poor
Pisgah island from which he truly beheld the distant Land"
{Latin Hymn-Writers and Their Hymns, pp. 298-315). The
hymn offers no difficulty to the translator.

Corpus Christi
preliminary observations

The next five hymns are the great Eucharistic hymns of
St. Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274). They were written at
the request of Pope Urban IV, on the occasion of the insti-
tution of the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. The hymns
of the Angelic Doctor are remarkable for their smoothness
and clearness, and for their logical conciseness and dog-
matic precision. They are pervaded throughout by a spirit
of the profoundest piety so characteristic of the Angel of
the Schools. It is fitting that a great Doctor of the Church
and a great Saint should have confined his hymn-writing to
a single subject, and that, the sweetest and profoundest of
all subjects, the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

The hymns taken collectively contain an admirable sum-
mary of the Catholic doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. "The
Lauda Sion," says Archbishop Bagshawe, is in itself "a
condensed compendium of exact theology" {Breviary

173

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Hymns and Missal Sequences, Preface). Several of the
clear-cut, doctrinal statements that are found in the Lauda
Sion occur again and again in the other hymns. To obviate
repetitions in the Notes, and to afford additional aids to
the proper understanding of the hymns, the following doc-
trinal statements from authoritative sources may be found
useful :

1. * 'It has always been believed in the Church of God that
immediately after the consecration, the true Body of Our
Lord and His true Blood exist under the species of bread
and wine, together with His Soul and Divinity: the Body
under the species of bread, and the Blood under the species
of wine, by force of the words; but the Body under the
species of wane, and the Blood under the species of bread,
and the Soul under both by force of the natural connection
and concomitance by which the parts of the Lord Christ,
who rose from the dead to die no more, are linked together :
and the Divinity by reason of Its admirable Hypostatic
Union with the Body and Soul. Wherefore it is most true
that there is as much contained under either species as
under both, for Christ exists whole and entire under the
species of bread, and under every part of the species, whole
too and entire under the species of wine and under its
parts" (Council of Trent, Sess. 13, Ch. 3. Quoted from
the Outlines of Dogmatic Theology, by Father Hunter, S.J.
Vol. 3, p. 258).

2. The following is from the Profession of Faith of Pope
Pius IV, which was drawn up shortly after the conclusion
of the Council of Trent: *'I profess .... that in the
most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, there is truly,
really, and substantially, the Body and Blood, together
with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
that there is made a conversion of the whole substance of
the bread into the Body, and of the w^hole substance of the
wine into the Blood ; which conversion the Catholic Church
calls Transubstantiation. I also confess, that under either
kind alone, Christ is received whole and entire, and a true
Sacrament" (From Father Devine's The Creed Explained,
p. 55).

3. ''Since the species of bread and wine are not the

174

CORPUS CHRISTI

proper, but only the assumed species of the Body and
Blood of Christ, what is done to the species cannot there-
fore be said to be done to the Body and Blood of Christ
itself. If, for instance, the former are divided or broken,
the Body of Christ is not thereby divided or broken. But
as the Body of Christ exists permanently under the species,
and is really present wherever the species are, it is actually
borne from place to place, as are the species. We may
rightly say, however, that the Sacrament is broken {fracto
demum sacramento) ; for the species are an essential part
of the Sacrament" (Father "Wilmer's Handbook of the
Christian Religion, p. 334).

4. ''Every day the Eucharistic mysteries place Our Lord
in a state analogous to that which He took upon Himself in
the Incarnation. The Eucharistic species subsist in-
dependently of their proper substance, as the human nature
of the Word Incarnate subsisted independently of His
natural personality. . . . Not without reason does the
Church, in her offices and Eucharistic hymns, constantly
bring these two mysteries together, the Incarnation and
Transubstantiation" (From The Eucharistic Life of
Christ, in Father Matthew Russell's Jesus Is Waiting, p.
87). The following paragraph expresses briefly and
authoritatively the teaching of the Church concerning the
Incarnation and the Person of Christ.

5. ''But it is also necessary for eternal salvation, that
he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Now the right faith is, that we believe and confess,
that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and
man. He is God of the substance of His Father, begotten
before the world; and He is man of the substance of His
Mother, born in the world. Perfect God and perfect man ;
of rational soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the
Father according to His Divinity; less than the Father
according to His humanity. Who, although He is both God
and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ. One, not by the
conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by the assuming
of human nature unto God. One altogether, not by con-
fusion of substance, but by unity of person. For as the
rational soul and the body constitutes one man, so God and

175

PROPER OF THE SEASON

man is one Christ'* (From the Creed of St. Athanasius).
Such was the Christ who was born for ns at Bethlehem;
the Good Shepherd who sought out the lost sheep of the
house of Israel; the great High Priest who gave Himself
to His disciples with His own hands at the Last Supper;
and who as Priest and Victim offered Himself on Calvary,
and daily offers Himself on countless altars from the rising
till the setting of the sun.

6. "Christ is entirely present under each species and
under each particle of either species. Christ is entirely
present — with His flesh and blood, His body and soul. His
manhood and Godhead under each species. Christ gave
His disciples the same body that He possessed, and on our
altars bread is changed into the same body which is now
glorified in heaven ; for the words : This is My body, would
not be true, unless the bread were changed into the living
body of Christ as it now exists. So, too, the wine is changed
into the blood of the living Christ. But where the body of
the living Christ is there is also His blood, and His soul,
and divinity; and where His blood is there is also His body,
soul, and divinity — the entire Christ." '^ Christ is wholly
present in each particle of either species so that he who
receives one particle of the host receives the whole Christ"
(Wilmer's Handbook, p. 334).

7. The parallel passages in the Scriptures referring
directly to the Institution of the Holy Eucharist are the
following: St. Matt. 26, 26-28; St. Mark 14, 22-24; St. Luke
22, 19-20; St. Paul I Cor. 11, 23-25. The following is from
St. Luke: ''And taking bread, he gave thanks, and broke,
and gave to them, saying: This is my body which is given
for you. Do this for a commemoration of me. In like
manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This
is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall
be shed for you." See also the words of promise (St.
John 6, 48-59) which were uttered by Our Lord about one
year before the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

8. Types: By types, in the Scriptures, are meant such
persons and things in the Old Law as prefigured persons
and things in the New. The Old Law itself and the various
sacrifices it prescribed were but the types or shadows, not

176

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Missale Einsiedlense — 16lh Cenliiry, 180 pages {Codex
Msc. 10^4). Pkolo -re product ion from, the original in
the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln shows ''Inilium In-
iroitas SS. Trinitatis." The miniature of the Holy
Trinity done in strikingly rich colors and set within an
initial which is carried out in gold allajiinst a highly
decorative red and blue background in connection tvilh
the appropriately ornate, yet legible, text emphasizes the
beauty and perfection of the illuminator' s art at that
time.

CORPUS CHRISTI

the reality, of future good things promised (cf. Heb. 10,
1-19). The principal types mentioned in the hymns are:

(a) The Paschal Lamb (Exod. 12). The Paschal Lamb
is the most expressive type or figure of Christ mentioned
in the Old Testament. It was slain the day before the
Passover; it was to be without blemish; it was to be offered
to God and then eaten ; not a bone of it was to be broken ;
its blood sprinkled on the door-posts of the Israelites pre-
served them from temporal death, as Christ's Blood shed
on the Cross preserves us from eternal death. It might also
be noted that a lamb is remarkable for its gentleness; it
submits to unmerited suffering without complaint (Is. 53,
7; Acts 8, 32) ; in the Old Law it was slain for sins not its
own ; Christ is the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins
of the world (cf. John 1, 29-36) ; He is the Lamb which was
slain from the beginning of the world (Apoc. 13, 8), i.e.,
in the foreknowledge of God.

(b) Manna: (Exod. 16). Manna was the miraculous
bread of the Israelites during their forty years' sojourn in
the desert; it came down from heaven every morning, and
it was consumed in the morning; it was small and white;
and such was its nature that "neither had he more that had
gathered more, nor did he find less that had provided less"
(Exod. 16, 18).

(c) Isaac (Gen. 22). Isaac was a type of Christ in that
he was the well beloved and only-begotten son of his father
Abraham; He carried on his shoulders the wood on which
he was to be sacrificed; he was an obedient and willing
victim; his life, as recorded in Gen. 15-35, pictures him as
pre-eminently a man of peace, whose willing sacrifice on
Mount Moria was typical of the greater Sacrifice on Mount
Calvary.

(d) Azymes (Exod. 12-13). The azyme-bread was un-
leavened bread prescribed by the Mosaic Law for the Feast
of the Passover. There was also a Feast of the Azymes
(of the Unleavened Bread) which continued for seven days.
The Azymes and Passover were practically one and the
same feast. Unleavened bread is a type of sincerity, truth,
moral integrity, exemption from the corrupting leaven of
sin, etc. (cf. I Cor. 5, 8).

177

PROPER OF THE SEASON

9. In the Cath. Encycl., read the following articles:
Corpus Christi; Eucharist; Pasch; Supper, Last; Azymes;
Lamb, Paschal; Manna; Isaac; Types in Scripture; and
the beginning of each of the two articles on Host.

The same work contains seven articles on the hymns of
St. Thomas. These articles, listed under the following
titles, are from the pen of the eminent hymnologist, the Rt.
Rev. Monsignor H. T. Henry, Litt.D. : Lauda Sion, Adoro
Te Devote, Sacris Solemniis, Pange Lingua, Tantum Ergo,
Verhum Supernum, and 0 Salutaris. Monsignor Henry's
Eucharistica contains translations of all these hymns and
devotes to them more than thirty pages of comment.

Lauda Sion Salvatorem

LAUDA Sion Salvatorem,
Lauda ducem et pastorem,
In hymnis et canticis.
Quantum potes, tantum aude:
Quia major omni laude,
Nee laudare sufficis.

^ Laudis thema specialis,
Panis vivus et vitalis

Hodie proponitur.
Quem in sacrae mensa coenae
Turbae fratrum duodenae

Datum non ambigitur.

'Sit laus plena, sit sonora.
Sit jucunda, sit decora,

Mentis jubilatio.
Dies enim solemnis agitur,
In qua mensae prima recolitur
Hujus institutio.

PRAISE, 0 Sion, praise thy
Saviour,
Shepherd, Prince, with glad be-
havior,
Praise in hymn and canticle:
Sing His glory without measure,
For the merit of your Treasure
Never shall your praises fill.

Wondrous theme of mortal sing-
ing,
Living Bread and Bread life-
bringing.
Sing we on this joyful day:
At the Lord's own table given
To the twelve as Bread from
Heaven,
Doubting not we firmly say.

Sing

with

voice

His praise
sonorous;
Every heart shall hear the chorus

Swell in melody sublime:
For this day the Shepherd gave us
Flesh and Blood to feed and save

us.

Lasting to the end of time.

178

CORPUS CHRISTI

* In hac mensa novi Regis,
Novum Pascha novae legis,

Phase vetus terminal.
Vetustatem novitas,
Umbram fugat Veritas,

Noctem lux eliminat.

^Quod in coena Christus gessit.
Faciendum hoc expressit

In sui memoriam.
Docti sacris institutis,
Panem, vinum in salutis
Consecramus hostiam.

'Dogma datur Christianis,
Quod in carnem transit panis,

Et vinum in sanguinem.
Quod non capis, quod non vides,
Animosa firmat fides,

Praeter rerum ordinem.

^Sub diversis speciebus,
Signis tantum, et non rebus,

Latent res eximise.
Caro cibus, sanguis potus:
Manet tamen Christus totus,

Sub utraque specie.

At the new King's sacred table,
The new Law's new Pasch is able

To succeed the ancient Rite:
Old to new its place hath given,
Truth has far the shadows driven.

Darkness flees before the Light.

And as He hath done and planned

it—
"Do this" — hear His love com-
mand it,
"For a memory of me."
Learned, Lord, in Thy own

science.
Bread and wine, in sweet com-
pliance.
As a Host we offer Thee.

Thus in faith the Christian

heareth :
That Christ's Flesh as bread ap-

peareth.
And as wine His Precious

Blood:
Though we feel it not nor see it.
Living Faith that doth decree it
All defects of sense makes

good.

Lo! beneath the species dual
(Signs not things), is hid a jewel

Far beyond creation's reach!
Though His Flesh as food

abideth,
And His Blood as drink — He
hideth
Undivided under each.

'A sumente non concisus,
Non confractus, non divisus:

Integer accipitur.
Sumit unus, sumunt mille:
Quantum isti, tantum ille:
Nee sumptus consumitur.

Whoso eateth It can never
Break the Body, rend or sever;
Christ entire our hearts doth
fill:
Thousands eat the Bread of

Heaven,
Yet as much to one is given:
Christ, though eaten, bideth
still.

179

PROPER OF THE SEASON

"Sumunt boni, sumunt mali:
Sorte tamen inaequali,

Vitae, vel interitus.
Mors est malis, vita bonis:
Vide paris sumptionis,

Quam sit dispar exitus.

^"Fracto demum Sacramento
Ne vacilles, sed memento,
Tantum esse sub fragmento,

Quantum toto tegitur.
Nulla rei fit scissura:
Signi tantum fit fractura:
Qua nee status, nee statura

Signati minuitur.

^^Ecce panis angelorura,
Factus cibus viatorum:
Vere panis filiorum,

Non mittendus canibus.
In figuris praesignatur.
Cum Isaac immolatur :
Agnus Paschae deputatur:

Datur manna patribus.

"Bone Pastor, panis vere,
Jesu, nostri miserere:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuere:
Tu nos bona fac videre

In terra viventium.
Tu qui cuncta scis et vales:
Qui nos pascis hie mortales:
Tuos ibi commensales,
Cohaeredes et sodales

Fac sanctorum civium.

Good and bad, they come to greet

Him:
Unto life the former eat Him,

And the latter unto death;
These find death and those find

heaven ;
See, from the same life-seed given,
How the harvest differeth!

When at last the Bread is broken.
Doubt not what the Lord hath

spoken :
In each part the same love-token,

The same Christ, our hearts
adore :
For no power the Thing divideth —
'Tis the symbols He provideth,
While the Saviour still abideth

Undiminished as before.

Hail, angelic Bread of Heaven,
Now the pilgrim's hoping-leaven,
Yea, the Bread to children given

That to dogs must not be
thrown :
In the figures contemplated,
'Twas with Isaac immolated,
By the Lamb 'twas antedated.

In the Manna it was known.

O Good Shepherd, still confessing
Love, in spite of our transgress-
ing,—
Here Thy blessed Food possessing,
Make us share Thine every bless-
ing
In the land of life and love:
Thou, whose power hath all com-
pleted
And Thy Flesh as Food hath

meted,
Make us, at Thy table seated.
By Thy Saints, as friends be
greeted.
In Thy paradise above.

See "Preliminary Observation"

180

above.

Meter :

CORPUS CHRISTI

Trochaic dimeter, in great part. Translation by Monsignor
Henry. There are about twenty translations, two of which
are in the Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use: Sequence for
the Feast of Corpus Christi, and throughout the octave.

1. ''Praise, 0 Sion, thy Saviour, praise thy Leader and
thy Shepherd in hymns and canticles. As much as thou
canst, so much darest thou, for He is above all praise, nor
art thou able to praise Him enough." Sion: the faithful,
the Church, see Glossary. Major: Benedicentes Dominum,
exaltate ilium quantum potestis: major enim est omni laude
(cf. Ecclus. 43, 32-34).

2. ''To-day there is given us a special theme of praise,
the Bread both living and life-giving, which, it is not to be
doubted, was given to the assembly of the brethren, twelve
in number, at the table of the holy Supper. ' ' Quern ....
datum esse. For duodence see denus in the Glossary.

3. "Let our praise be full and sounding; let the jubila-
tions of the soul be joyous and becoming; for that solemn
day is now being celebrated, on which is commemorated the
first institution of this table." Mensce, table, the Holy
Eucharist.

4. "At this table of the new King, the new Pasch of
the New Law puts an end to the ancient Pasch. The new
supplants the old, truth puts to flight the shadow, day
banishes night." Pascha: the Pasch, Passover (cf. Exod.
12-13). Phase: This is another form of Pascha and has
the same meaning (cf. Exod. 12, 21; 34, 25; Num. 9, 4).
The English word Phase occurs only in the Douay Bible.
The expressions "The new supplants the old," etc., refer
to the institution of the New Sacrifice foretold by Malachias
(1, 10-11), of which the sacrifices of the Old Law were but
shadows, types, and figures.

5. "What Christ did at that Supper, the same He com-
manded to be done in remembrance of Him. Taught by
His sacred precepts, we consecrate bread and wine into the
Victim of salvation."

6. "This is the dogma given to Christians, that bread
is changed into Flesh and wine into Blood. What thou dost
not understand, what thou dost not see, a lively faith con-
firms in a supernatural manner." Prceter rerum ordinem:

181

PROPER OF THE SEASON

In an extraordinary manner, transcending the evidences of
the senses and of the intellect.

7. ''Under diiferent species (different) in externals
{signis) only, and not in reality (rebus), wondrous sub-
stances lie hidden. Flesh is food. Blood is drink : neverthe-
less Christ remains entire under each species." The
species of bread and wine differ in their external appear-
ances, in taste, color, form, etc., but under each species
there is one and the same divine substance, ''Christus
totus."

8. ''By the recipient the whole (Christ) is received; He
is neither cut, broken, nor divided. One receives Him; a
thousand receive Him ; as much as the thousand receive, so
much does the one receive; though eaten He is not
diminished. ' '

9. "The good receive Him, the bad receive Him, but
with what unequal consequences of life or death. It is
death to the unworthy, life to the worthy: behold then of
a like reception, how unlike may be the result!"

10. "When the Sacrament is broken, doubt not, but re-
member, that there is just as much hidden in a fragment,
as there is in the whole. There is no division of the sub-
stance, only a breaking of the species takes place, by which
neither the state nor stature of the substance signified is
diminished. ' '

11. "Lo, the Bread of Angels is made the food of earthly
pilgrims: truly it is the Bread of children, let it not be
cast to dogs. It was prefigured in types, — when Isaac was
immolated, when the Paschal Lamb was sacrificed, when
Manna was given to the fathers. " Filiorum .... cani-
bus: The children are the worthy; the dogs are the un-
worthy. Non est bonum sumere panem filiorum et mittere
canibus (Matt. 15, 26). These words were addressed by
Our Lord to the Chanaanite woman; the children alluded
to by Christ are the Jews, the seed of Abraham; the dogs
are the Gentiles who were so designated on account of
their idolatry and other sinful practices.

12. "0 Good Shepherd, True Bread, 0 Jesus, have mercy
on us : feed us and protect us : make us see good things in
the land of the living. Thou who knowest all things and

182

CORPUS CHRISTI

canst do all things, who here feedest us mortals, make us
there be Thy guests, the co-heirs, and companions of the
heavenly citizens." Terra viventium: Credo videre bona
Domini in terra viventium (Ps. 26, 13).

PANGE lingua gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
Quem in mundi pretium
Fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

^ Nobis datus, nobis natus
Ex intacta Virgine,
Et in mundo conversatus,
Sparso verbi semine,
Sui moras incolatus
Miro clausit ordine.

^In supremae nocte coenae,
Recumbens cum fratribus
Observata lege plena
Cibis in legalibus,
Cibum turbae duodense
Se dat suis manibus.

*Verbum care, panem verum
Verbo carnem efficit:
Fitque sanguis Christi merum,
Et si sensus deficit,
Ad firmandum cor sincerum
Sola fides sufficit.

^ Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Pange Lingua

CING, my tongue, the Saviour*s
*^ glory,

Of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding.
Shed by our immortal King,
Destined, for the world's redemp-
tion,
From a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stayed, the seeds of truth to

sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal victim eating.
First fulfills the Law's command:
Then as Food to all His brethren
Gives Himself with His own hand.

Word made Flesh, the bread of

nature
By His word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change

discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest.
Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying.
Where the feeble senses fail.

183

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^Genitori, Genitoque To the everlasting Father,

Laus et jubilatio, And the Son who reigns on high,

Salus, honor, virtus quoque With the Holy Ghost proceeding

Sit et benedictio: Forth from Each eternally,

Procedenti ab utroque Be salvation, honor, blessing,

Compar sit laudatio. Might, and endless majesty.

See ''Preliminary Observations" above. Meter:
Trochaic tetrameter. Translation by Father Caswall.
There are about twenty-five translations, eight of which
are in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus, Liturgical Use:
Vespers hymn on the Feast of Corpus Christi : the Tantum
Ergo and doxology are sung during Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament. It is used also as a processional hymn
on Holy Thursday, Corpus Christi, and during the Forty
Hours' Adoration.

The Pange Lingua is pre-eminently the hymn of the Most
Blessed Sacrament. It is the most beautiful of the great
Eucharistic hymns of St. Thomas. ''This hymn," says
Dr. Neale, "contests the second place among those of the
Western Church with the Vexilla Regis, the Stahat Mater,
the Jesu dulcis memoria, the Ad regias Agni dapes, the Ad
Supernam, and one or two others, leaving the Dies Ires in
its unapproachable glory. It has been a bow of Ulysses to
translators" {Medieval Hymns, p. 179). The Pa/nge
Lingua of St. Thomas is, according to Dr. Julian — "One
of the finest of medieval Latin hymns ; a wonderful union
of sweetness of melody with clear-cut dogmatic teaching"
{Diet, of Hymnology, p. 878). With the addition of rhyme,
St. Thomas imitates in this beautiful hymn the Pange
Lingua of Fortunatus.

1. "Sing, 0 my tongue, the mystery of the glorious
Body and of the precious Blood, which the King of the
Gentiles, the fruit of a noble womb, shed for the redemp-
tion of the world. ' '

2. ' ' Given to us, and born for us of a stainless Virgin, He
dwelt on earth sowing the seed of the word, and closed in
a wondrous manner the days of His earthly sojourning."
Nobis datus: Parvulus enim natus est nobis et filius datus
est nobis . . . et vocabitur nomen ejus, Admirabilis, Con-
siliarius, Deus Fortis, Pater futuri saeculi, Princeps pacis

184

CORPUS CHRISTI

(Is. 9, 6). Sparso verbi semine: Our Lord is the sower in
the beautiful ''Parable of the Sower" (Matt. 13; Mark 4;
Luke 8) ; the seed is the good tidings of the kingdom of
God, which Christ came on earth to sow in the hearts of
men. Miro clausit ordine; What this ''wondrous manner"
was is explained in the next two stanzas.

3. "On the night of the Last Supper, reclining with His
brethren — the Law having been fully complied with in re-
gard to legal meats — with His own hands, He gives Him-
self as Food to the assembled twelve." Turhce duodence,
to the assembly twelve in number. For duodena, see denus
in the Glossary. Cibis in legalibus (cf. Exod. 12, 3-11).

4. "The Word-made-Flesh changes by His word true
bread into His Flesh; and wine becomes the Blood of
Christ ; and if the intellect does not grasp this, faith alone
suffices to make sure the sincere heart." This stanza, on
account of the many verbal and real antitheses it contains,
has been "the great crux of the translator" (Neale). In
the article on the Pange Lingua in the Cath. Encycl. there
are seven translations of this stanza and much interesting
comment. Verbum caro: the Incarnate Word, the God-
Man, the Word-made-Flesh (cf. John 1, 1-14).

5. "Let us therefore, prostrate, adore so great a Sacra-
ment, and let the Old Law give way to the New Ordinance ;
let faith supplement the weakness of the senses." Et
antiquum .... ritui: and let the Old Law (with its
typic sacrifices and Paschal Lamb) give way to the New
Rite (in which the Lamb of God is sacrificed). Cernui,
adj., prostrate, profoundly bowed; with deep humility.

6. "To the Father and to the Son be praise, glory, salva-
tion, honor, power, and benediction also! and to Him pro-
ceeding from Them both be equal praise. ' '

77 Sacris solemniis juncta sint gaudia

SACRIS solemniis juncta sint A T this our solemn Feast,
gaudia, -^*- Let holy joys abound,

Et ex praecordiis sonent prse- And from the inmost breast
conia; Let songs of praise resound;

Let ancient rites depart,
185

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Recedant vetera, nova sint omnia, And all be new around,

Corda, voces, et opera. In ev'ry act and voice and heart.

'Noctis recolitur ccena novissima.
Qua Christus creditur agnum et

azyma
Dedisse fratribus, juxta legitima
Priscis indulta patribus.

'Post agnum typicum, expletis

epulis.
Corpus Dominicum datum dis-

cipulis.
Sic totum omnibus, quod totum

singulis,
Ejus fatemur manibus.

*Dedit fragilibus corporis fercu-

lum,
Dedit et tristibus sanguinis pocu-

lum,
Dicens: accipite quod trado

vasculum,
Omnes ex eo bibite.

^ Sic sacrificium istud instituit,
Cujus officium committi voluit
Solis presbyteris, quibus sic

congruit,
Ut sumant, et dent ceteris.

^Panis angelicus fit panis homi-

num;
Dat panis coelicus figuris termi-

num:
0 res mirabilis, manducat Domi-

nvun
Pauper, servus, et humilis.

^ Te trina Deitas unaque poscimus.
Sic nos tu visita, sicut te coli-
mus:

Remember we that eve.

When, the Last Supper spread,

Christ, as we all believe.

The lamb, with leavenless bread,

Among His brethren shared.

And thus the Law obeyed,

Of old unto their sires declared.

The typic lamb consumed,
The legal Feast complete,
The Lord unto the Twelve
His Body gave to eat;
The whole to all, no less
The whole to each, did mete
With His own hands, as we
confess.

He gave them, weak and frail,
His Flesh, their food to be;
On them, downcast and sad,
His Blood bestowed He:
And thus to them He spake,
"Receive this Cup from Me,
And all of you of this partake."

So He this Sacrifice

To institute did will,

And charged His priests alone

That oflBce to fulfil :

In them He did confide:

To whom pertaineth still

To take, and to the rest divide.

Thus Angels' Bread is made

The Bread of man to-day:

The Living Bread from Heaven

With figures doth away:

0 wondrous gift indeed!

The poor and lowly may

Upon their Lord and Master feed.

O Triune Deity,

To Thee we meekly pray,

So mayst Thou visit us,

186

CORPUS CHRISTI

Per tuas semitas due nos quo As we our homage pay;

tendimus, And in Thy footsteps bright

Ad lucem, quam inhabitas. Conduct us on our way

To where Thou dwell'st in cloud-
less light.

See ''Preliminary Observations" above. Meter: As-
clepiadic and Glyconic. Translation, a cento based on the
translation by J. D. Chambers. There are about Mteen
translations, two of which are in the Annus Sanctus.
Liturgical Use: Matins hymn for the Feast of Corpus
Christi. The meter imitates the classical meter of Horace,
but like all the hymns of St. Thomas, it is purely accentual.
On account of the rhyme, the Asclepiadic lines may be
conveniently divided at the caesura.

1. "With this sacred solemnity let our joys be blended,
and from our inmost heart let praises resound; let old
things depart, let all be new — hearts, words, and works."
Vetera: the olden rites, the Pasch and its attendant cere-
monies; or, sin, sinful habits, the leaven of malice and
wickedness (I Cor. 5, 7-8). Nova: let all things be new, or
renewed by the grace of God.

2. "Of that night, the Last Supper is recalled to mind,
at which we believe that Christ gave the lamb and the
leavenless bread to His brethren, according to the legal
precepts given to the ancient fathers." (cf. Exod. 12-13.)

3. "After the typic lamb, and when the meal was ended,
we profess that Our Lord, with His own hands, gave His
Body to His brethren; He so gave It that the whole was
given to all, and the whole to each." Totum (sc. corpus).

4. "He gave to the weak His Body as food, and He gave
to the sad the cup of His Blood, saying: Receive ye the
cup which I give to you, drink ye all of it. ' '

5. "Thus He instituted this Sacrifice (Sacrament) the
administration of which He willed should be entrusted to
priests alone, whom it thus behooves to receive it them-
selves, and to give it to others. ' '

6. "The Bread of Angels becomes the Bread of men;
the Bread of Heaven puts an end to types; 0 wondrous
thing, the poor, the servant, and the lowly, eat their Lord ! ' '
Panis angelicus and panis coelicus are Scriptural allusions

187

PROPER OF THE SEASON

to the manna of old, which was a type of the Manna of the
New Law. Et pluit illis manna ad manducandum, et panem
ccbH dedit eis. Panem angelorum manducavit homo:
cibaria misit eis in abundantia (Ps. 77, 24-25).

7. * ' 0 triune Deity, we beseech Thee, that Thou visit us,
as we adore Thee ; lead us by Thy ways, whither we direct
our steps, to the light wherein Thou dost dwell. ' '

Verbum supernum prodiens

VERBUM supernum prodiens,
Nee Patris linquens dexte-
ram,
Ad opus suura exiens,
Venit ad vitae vesperam.

^ In mortem a discipulo
Suis tradendus aemulis,
Prius in vitae ferculo
Se tradidit discipulis.

^Quibus sub bina specie
Carnem dedit et sanguinem;
Ut duplicis substantias
Totum cibaret hominem.

*Se nascens dedit socium,
Convescens in edulium,
Se moriens in pretium,
Se regnans dat in prasmium.

^0 salutaris hostia,
Quae coeli pandis ostium,
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxiliura.

•Uni trinoque Domino,
Sit sempiterna gloria:
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria.

THE Heav'nly Word proceeding
forth.
Yet leaving not the Father's side,
And going to His work on earth
Had reached at length life's
eventide.

By false disciple to be given
To foemen for His Blood athirst.
Himself, the Living Bread from

Heaven,
He gave to His disciples first.

To them He gave, in two-fold kind,
His very Flesh, His very Blood:
In love's own fulness thus de-
signed
Of the whole man to be the food.

By birth, our fellow-man was He;
Our meat, while sitting at the

board;
He died, our ransomer to be;
He ever reigns, our great reward.

O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below.
Our foes press on from every side,
Thine aid supply. Thy strength
bestow.

To Thy great Name be endless

praise.
Immortal Godhead, One in Three;
0 grant us endless length of days
In our true native land, with Thee.

188

CORPUS CHRISTI

See the *^ Preliminary Observations" above. Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale ; the last two
stanzas by Father Caswall. There are about twenty-five
translations, four of which are in the Annus Sanctus.
Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of Corpus
Christi. The 0 Salutaris is familiar from its frequent use
in Benediction. In this beautiful hymn St. Thomas imitates
the hymn Verbum Supernum^ No. 36. The fourth stanza
is an admirable example of perfect form and condensed
meaning. It so pleased Rousseau that he would have given
all his poetry to be its author.

1. ''The Heavenly Word going forth, yet not leaving
the right hand of His Father, went forth to His allotted
work, and arrived at the evening of His life." Verbum:
the Word, the Eternal Son of the Father (cf. John 1, 1-14).
Dexter ami: the place of honor and dignity; by the incarna-
tion Christ did not relinquish this. Opus: Christ said: Me
oportet operari opera ejus qui misit me, etc. (John 9, 4).

2. ''When about to be delivered over to His enemies, by
a disciple, to be put to death. He first gave Himself to His
disciples as the Bread of Life."

3. "To them He gave His Flesh and His Blood under a
twofold species, that He might wholly feed man, who is of
a twofold nature." The Holy Eucharist is primarily the
food of the soul; but on account of the intimate union of
the body and soul, what promotes the health and vigor of
the soul, by a sort of redundancy augments the powers of
the body. The Holy Eucharist is a figure of that bread
which Elias ate, "and walked in the strength of that food
forty days and forty nights" (cf. Ill Kings 19, 6-8).

4. "By being born, He gave Himself to us as our com-
panion; at the table, He gave Himself as our food; dying
He gave Himself as our ransom; now reigning in glory
He gives Himself as our reward." Se nascens, by His
incarnation. Convescens (convescor), while eating with
His apostles at the Last Supper, He gave, etc. Se moriens,
when dying on the Cross, He gave, etc.

5. "0 Saving Victim, that openest the gate of heaven;
hostile attacks oppress us, give us strength, bring us aid."
Hostia, victim, host, sacrifice. According to St. Paul,

189

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Christ ** delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacri-
fice (hostiam) to God for an odor of sweetness" (Eph. 5,
2; Rom. 12, 1). Bella: hostile assaults of the world, the
flesh, and the devil. Militia est vita hominis super
terram (Job 7, 1).

6. "Eternal glory be to the Triune God, who giveth us
life without end in our native land above. ' '

Adoro te devote, latens Deltas

ADORO te devote,
Deitas,
Quae sub his figuris vera latitas:
Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit,
Quia te contemplans, totum de-
ficit

latens TTIDDEN God, devoutly I adore
11 Thee,
Truly present underneath these

veils:
All my heart subdues itself before

Thee,
Since it all before Thee faints and

fails.

^ Visus, tactus, gustus in te f allitur,
Sed auditu solo tuto creditur.
Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius,
Nil hoc verbo veritatis verius.

Not to sight, or taste, or touch be

credit,
Hearing only do we trust secure;
I believe, for God the Son hath

said it —
Word of Truth that ever shall

endure.

' In cruce latebat sola Deitas,
At hie latet simul et humanitas:
Ambo tamen credens, atque con-

fitens,
Peto quod petivit latro poenitens.

On the Cross was veiled Thy
Godhead's splendor,

Here Thy Manhood lieth hidden
too;

Unto both alike ray faith I render.

And, as sued the contrite thief, I
sue.

*Plagas, sicut Thomas, non in-
tueor :

Deum tamen meum te confiteor.

Fac me tibi semper magis cre-
dere.

In te spem habere, te diligere.

Though I look not on Thy womids

with Thomas,
Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my

God, I call:
Make me more and more believe

Thy promise,
Hope in Thee, and love Thee over

all.

190

CORPUS CHRISTI

^ 0 memoriale mortis Domini, 0 Memorial of My Saviour dying,

Panis vivus vitam praestans ho- Living Bread, that givest life to

mini, man ;

Praesta meae menti de te vivere. May my soul, its life from Thee
Et te illi semper dulce sapere. supplying.

Taste Thy sweetness, as on earth
it can.

• Pie pellicane Jesu Domine, Deign, 0 Jesus, Pelican of heaven,

Me immundum munda tuo san- Me, a sinner, in Thy Blood to lave,

guine: To a single drop of which is given

Cujus una stilla salvum facere All the world from all its sin to
Totum mundum quit ab omni save.

scelere.

' Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio : Contemplating, Lord, Thy hidden

Oro fiat illud, quod tam sitio: presence,

Ut te revelata cernens facie, Grant me what I thirst for and

Visu sim beatus tuae glorias. implore.

In the revelation of Thine essence
To behold Thy glory evermore.

See "Preliminary Observations" above. Meter:
Trochaic trimeter, catalectic. The first line has a syllable
of anacrusis, i.e., an upward beat before beginning the
regular meter. Translation by Justice John O'Hagan.
There are about twenty-five translations. The Adoro Te
Devote is found in the ''Thanksgiving after Mass" in the
front part of the Missal. A part of it is frequently sung
in Benediction. It is an excellent example of rhymed
prayer expressed in the simplest language.

1. ''I devoutly adore Thee, 0 hidden Deity, who truly
liest hidden under these figures. My whole heart subjects
itself to Thee, for it finds itself wholly lost in contemplating
Thee."

2. ''Sight, touch, and taste are each deceived in Thee,
but by hearing only can we safely believe : I believe what-
ever the Son of God hath said; nothing can be more true
than this word of Him who is the Truth." Veritas: Ego
sum via, et Veritas, et vita (John 14, 6). Christ is the
source and fountain of all truth.

3. "On the Cross was hidden Thy Divinity alone, but
here Thy Humanity also lies concealed; nevertheless be-

191

PROPER OF THE SEASON

lieving and confessing both, I pray for what the penitent
thief did pray." Petivit latro poenitens: Et dicebat ad
Jesum : Domine, memento mei, cum veneris in regnnm tuum
(Luke 23, 42).

4. *'Thy Wounds, I do not see, as Thomas did, yet do I
confess Thee to be my God: make me ever more and more
believe in Thee, put my hope in Thee, and love Thee.'*
Flag as sicut Thomas: (cf. John 20, 27-28).

5. ''0 Memorial of the Lord's death, 0 Living Bread that
givest life to man: grant to my soul ever to live on Thee,
and that Thou mayest ever taste sweet to it." Illi (sc.
menti).

6. '^0 loving Pelican, Jesus Lord, cleanse me, unclean,
in Thy Blood, one drop of which hath power to save the
whole world from all its sin." Pie pelicane: The pelican
is a symbol of Christ and of charity. There is a legend
that when food fails, the pelican feeds her young with her
own blood. When she is thus represented in Christian art,
she is said to be *4n her piety," i. e., standing over her nest
with her wings extended, and wounding her breast from
which fall drops of blood.

7. '^0 Jesus, Thou whom veiled I now behold, I be-
seech Thee that what I so thirst for may happen : that be-
holding Thee with Thy countenance unveiled, I may be
happy in the vision of Thy glory." See the articles on
Beatific Vision, and on Heaven, esp. Part III, in the Cath.
Encycl.

Ave verum Corpus natum

AVE verum Corpus natum
De Maria Virgine,
Vere passum, immolatum

In cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforatum

iJnda fluxit et sanguine,
Esto nobis praegustatum

Mortis in examine.
0 clemens, O pie,

0 dulcis Jesu, Fili Mariae.

HAIL, true Body, truly born
Of the Virgin Mary mild,
Truly offered, racked and torn,
On the Cross, for man defiled,
From whose love-pierced, sacred

side
Flowed Thy true Blood's saving

tide:
Be a foretaste sweet to me
In my death's great agony,
0 Thou loving, gentle One,
Sweetest Jesus, Mary's Son.

192

CORPUS CHRISTI

Author: Probably by Pope Innocent VI (d. 1362).
Meter: Trochaic tetrameter catalectic. Translation by
Father Edward F. Garesche, S.J. There are ten transla-
tions. This beautiful little hymn was formerly sung at the
Elevation of the Host in Mass. It is not found in the
Breviary or Missal. The Latin texts differ slightly.

1. ''Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, which
truly suffered and was immolated on the Cross for man;
whose pierced side streamed with Water and with Blood.
Be Thou to us a foretaste (of heaven) when we are in the
agony of death. 0 clement, 0 loving, 0 sweet Jesus, Son
of Mary."

Anima Christi

ANIMA Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
0 bone Jesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et jube me venire ad te.
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te.
In saecula saeculorum. Amen.

SANCTIFY me wholly, Soul of
Christ adored;
Be my sure Salvation, Body of the

Lord:
Fill and satisfy me, 0 Thou Blood

unpriced:
Wash me. Sacred Water, from the

side of Christ.
Passion of my Saviour, be my

strength in need:
Good and gracious Jesus, to my

prayer give heed:
In Thy Wounds most precious let

me refuge find:
All the power malignant of the

foeman bind:
At death's final hour, call me to

Thy face:
Bid me stand beside Thee in the

heavenly place:
There with Saints and Angels I

shall sing to Thee
Through the countless ages of

eternity.

Author: Unknown, 14th cent. Translation by T. I.
Ball. There are about fifteen translations in prose or
verse. The Anima Christi has never been in liturgical use

193

PROPER OF THE SEASON

in the Church. It is, however, found in most Missals and
Breviaries in the * ' Thanksgiving after Mass. ' ' This beauti-
ful prayer has been richly indulgenced for priests who re-
cite it after Mass.

The Anima Christi is popularly believed to have been
composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, who places it at the
beginning of his Spiritual Exercises, and frequently refers
to it. But as the Anima Christi dates from 1330 or earlier,
and St. Ignatius was born in 1491, it is impossible that he
should have been the author of it. See the article on the
Anima Christi in the Cath. Encycl. The popular metrical
translation ''Soul of my Saviour sanctify my breast" dates
from 1882 : its author is not known.

Feast of the Sacred Heart
the friday after the octave of corpus christi

Auctor beate sceculi

AUCTOR beate saeculi,
Christe Redemptor omnium:
Lumen Patris de lumine,
Deusque verus de Deo.

'Amor coegit te tuus
Mortale corpus sumere,
Ut novus Adam redderes.
Quod vetus ille abstulerat.

'Ille amor almus artifex
Terrae marisque, et siderum,
Errata patrum miserans,
Et nostra rumpens vincula.

0 CHRIST, the world's Creator
bright,
Who didst mankind from sin

redeem,
Light from the Father's glorious

Light,
True God of God, in bliss supreme.

Thy love compelled Thee to

assume
A mortal body, man to save;
Reversing the old Adam's doom;
Our ransom the New Adam gave.

That love which gloriously framed

all—
The earth, the stars, and wondrous

sea —
Took pity on our parents' fall,
Broke all our bonds and set us

free.

194

THE SACRED HEART

*Non corde discedat tuo 0 Saviour, let Thy potent love

Vis ilia amoris inclyti: Flow ever from Thy bounteous

Hoc fonte gentes hauriant Heart;

Remissionis gratiam. To nations that pure fount above

The grace of pardon will impart.

''Percussum ad hoc est lancea, His Heart for this was opened

Passumque ad hoc est vulnera: wide,

Ut nos lavaret sordibus, And wounded by the soldier's

Unda fluente, et sanguine. spear.

That freely from His sacred side
Might flow the streams our souls
to clear.

'Decus Parenti, et Filio, Glory to Father and to Son,

Sanctoque sit Spiritui, And to the Holy Ghost the same,

Quibus potestas, gloria To whom all power, when time is

Regnumque in omne est saeculum. done,

And endless rule, in endless fame.

Author: Unknown, 18 cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translatioist by Father Hnsenbeth. There are eight trans-
lations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers. Of the five
hymns given here in honor of the Sacred Heart, the Annus
Sanctus contains two translations of Nos. 82, 83, 84, and
one each of Nos. 85 and 86. These hymns are evidently
the work of the same author. '* Their play of fancy and
of imagination, their rhetorical finish, their condensed
phraseology, give clear intimations of a skill which has
profited by the models constructed by St. Ambrose. They
abound, too, in Biblical allusions, every stanza recalling
some type, or figure, or prophecy, or fulfilment" (Msgr.
Henry, in his Eucharistica, p. 235).

1. *'0 Blessed Creator of the world, Christ, the Re-
deemer of all, Light of the Father's Light, and true God of
God." The words Lumen de lumine, Deus verus de Deo
(vero) are from the Nicene Creed. They express the doc-
trine of the eternal generation of the Word, the Creator of
all things (John 1, 1-3).

2. ''Thy love constrained Thee to assume a mortal body,
that the New Adam might restore what the old Adam had
taken away. ' ' For the parallel between Christ and Adam,
see Rom. 5, 12-21.

195

PROPER OF THE SEASON

3. "That love, the gracious builder of the earth and sea
and stars, took pity on the sins of our fathers, and broke
our chains." Amor and artifex are in apposition. Patrum,
the just of the Old Law.

4. ''May the power of Thy wondrous love not depart
from Thy Heart : let the nations draw from that fount the
grace of pardon. ' '

5. "For this It was pierced with a lance, for this It suf-
fered wounds, that It might cleanse us from our sins by
the issuing forth of Water and Blood." Cor is the subject,
from the preceding stanza. Ad hoc, for this purpose.

6. "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Ghost, to whom be power and glory and kingdom
forever and ever."

En ut super ba criminum

EN ut superba criminum
Et sseva nostrorum cohors
Cor sauciavit innocens
Merentis baud tale Dei!

LO, bow the savage crew
Of our proud sins bath rent
The Heart of our all-gracious God,
That Heart so innocent.

^Vibrantis bastam militis
Peccata nostra dirigunt:
Ferrumque dirae cuspidis
Mortale crimen acuit.

'Ex corde scisso Ecclesia
Christo jugata nascitur:
Hoc ostium Arcae in latere est;
Genti ad salutem positum.

*Ex hoc perennis gratia,
Ceu septiformis fluvius;
Stolas ut illic sordidas
Lavemus Agni in sanguine.

^Turpe est redire ad crimina,
Quae Cor beatum lacerent:
Sed aemulemur cordibus
Flammas amoris indices.

The soldier's quivering lance
Our guilt it was that drave,
Our wicked deeds that to its point
Such cruel sharpness gave.

0 wounded Heart, whence sprang
The Church, the Saviour's bride;
Thou Door of our Salvation's Ark
Set in its mystic side.

Thou holy fount, whence flows
The sacred sevenfold flood,
Where we our filthy robes may

cleanse
In the Lamb's saving Blood:

By sorrowful relapse,

Thee will we rend no more;

But like the flames, those types of

love,
Strive heavenward to soar.

196

THE SACRED HEART

^Hoc, Christe, nobis, hoc. Pater, father and Son supreme
Hoc sancte, dona, Spiritus, And Spirit, hear our cry;

Quibus potestas, gloria Whose is the kingdom, praise and

Regnumque in omne est saeculum. power,

Through all eternity.

Author: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are six transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Matins hymn for the Feast of the
Sacred Heart.

1. '' Behold, how the haughty and savage horde of our
sins hath wounded the innocent Heart of God, who de-
serveth not such treatment. ' ' Merentis, of God not deserv-
ing, etc.

2. ''Our sins guide the lance of the hesitating soldier,
and mortal sin doth sharpen the iron of the cruel shaft."
VibroMtis militis; The soldier is represented as hesitating,
uncertain of the exact place where he should insert the
spear to pierce the Saviour's Heart: our sins guided the
spear. Cuspidis: cuspis, a point, esp. the head of a spear.

3. "From that pierced Heart was born the Church united
with Christ : that entrance was made in the side of the Ark
for the salvation of the human race." Genti ad salutem,
for the human race, for their deliverance.

4. ' ' From It unfailing grace flows forth like a sevenfold
flood, that therein, in the Blood of the Lamb, we may wash
our sullied robes." In Baptism we are presented with a
stola Candida, a snow-white garment, which is symbolical
of the sanctifying grace which adorns the soul. By sin
this stola camdida becomes a stola sordida. Et laverunt
stolas suas, et dealbaverunt eas in sanguine Agni (Apoc.
7, 14: see also 22, 14). Septiformis fluvius, the seven
sacraments.

5. ' ' It were shameful to turn again to sins, which lacer-
ate that blessed Heart ; but let us in our hearts emulate the
flames, which are types of love."

6. ''Grant us this, 0 Christ, this, 0 Father, this, 0 Holy
Spirit, to whom be power and glory and kingdom forever. ' '

197

PROPER OF THE SEASON
Cor, area legem continens

COR, area legem continens
Non servitutis veteris,
Sed gratiae, sed veniae,
Sad at misericordiae.

^Cor, Sanctuarium novi
Intemeratum foederis,
Templum vetusto sanctius,
Velumque scisso utilius.

^Te vulneratum caritas
Ictu patenti voluit;
Amoris invisibilis
Ut vaneremur vulnera.

* Hoc sub amoris symbolo
Passus cruenta, et mystica,
Utrumque sacrificium
Christus Sacerdos obtulit.

' Quis non amantem redamet?
Quis non redemptus diligat,
Et Corde in isto seligat
i^^terna tabernacula?

•Dacus Paranti at Filio,
Sanctoque sit Spiritui,
Quibus potestas, gloria
Ragnumqua in omne est sseculum.

JESUS, behind Thy Temple's
veil.
Hid in an ark of gold,
On stones engraven, lay the Law
Thy finger wrote of old.

But in Thy Body's temple new,
Thy life-blood's throbbing shrine,
Held, upon fleshly tables graved,
The law of Love Divine.

And when that Heart in death was

stilled.
Each temple's veil was riven:
And lo, within Thy Love's red

shrine,
To us Ao look was given.

There make us gaze and see the

love
Which drew Thee, for our sake,
0 great High-priest, Thyself to

God
A sacrifice to make.

Thou, Saviour, cause that every

soul
Which Thou hast loved so well.
May will within Thine open Heart
In life and death to dwell.

Grant it, 0 Father, only Son,

And Spirit, God of grace.

To whom all worship shall be

done.
In every time and place.

Author : Unknown, 18th cent. Meter : Iambic dimeter.
Translation from the Marquess of Bute's Roman
Breviary. There are seven translations. Liturgical Use :
Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The
above translation and one by Rosa Mulholland— ' ' 0 tender
Heart, strong ark which doth enshrine," are found in sev-
eral hymnals. Both are in the Annus Sanctus.

198

THE SACRED HEART

1. **0 Heart, Thou ark, which dost contain the law, not
the law of ancient servitude, but of grace, of pardon, and
of mercy. ' ' The Old Law was a law of servitude, and was
eminently suited to the hard-heartedness of the Jews. It
was a law of fear and bondage given amid thunders, and
appropriately engraved on stone. The New Law, on the
contrary, is a law of love and liberty engraved by the Holy
Spirit on the hearts of the faithful.

2. ''0 Heart, undefiled sanctuary of the New Law,
temple more sacred than that of old, and veil more useful
than that which was rent." Vetusto (templo) ; scisso
(velo). Velum, cf. Matt. 27, 51.

3. ' ' Thy love hath willed that Thou be wounded with an
open wound, that we might (see and) venerate the wounds
of Thy invisible love. ' ' Ictus, blow, stroke, stab. Patenti,
abl. of pres. part, of patere, 2, to be open.

4. ''Under this symbol of love. He suffered in a bloody
and mystical manner; and Christ as priest offered a two-
fold sacrifice." The twofold sacrifice is that of Calvary
(cruenta) and the Mass {mystica).

5. ''Who would not love in return one loving him? Who,
redeemed, would not love (his Redeemer), and choose in
that Heart an eternal dwelling place?"

85 Quicumque certum quceritis

QUICUMQUE certum qugeritis A LL ye who seek a comfort sure

Rebus levamen asperis: -^*- In trouble and distress,

Seu culpa mordet anxia, Whatever sorrow vex the mind,

Seu poena vos premit comes. Or guilt the soul oppress:

^Jesu, qui, ut agnus innocens, Jesus, who gave Himself for you

Sese immolandum tradidit, Upon the Cross to die,

Ad cor reclusum vulnere, Opens to you His sacred Heart;

Ad mite cor accedite. 0 to that Heart draw nigh.

^Auditis ut suavissimis Ye hear how kindly he invites;

Invitet omnes vocibus: Ye hear His words so blest:

Venite quos gravat labor "All ye that labor come to Me,

Premitque pondus criminum: And I will give you rest."

199

PROPER OF THE SEASON

*Quid Corde Jesu mitius?
Jesum cruci qui affixerant
Excusat, et Patrem rogat
Ne perdat ultor impios.

^0 Cor, voluptas CcElitum,
Cor, fida spes mortalium,
En hisce tracti vocibus,
Ad te venimus supplices.

'Tu nostra terge vulnera
Ex te fluente sanguine
Tu da novum cor omnibus
Qui te gementes invocant.

What meeker than the Saviour's

Heart?
As on the Cross He lay,
It did His murderers forgive,
And for their pardon pray.

0 Heart, Thou joy of Saints on

high.
Thou hope of sinners here,
Attracted by those loving words
To Thee I lift my prayer.

Wash thou my wounds in that dear

Blood,
Which forth from Thee doth flow;
New grace, new hope inspire, a

new
And better heart bestow.

Authob: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are six transla-
tions. Father Caswall 's translation is a great favorite
with hymn book compilers, both Catholic and non-Catholic.
Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers and Matins in an Office
of the Sacred Heart granted by special concession. This
and the following hymn are not found in the latest edition
of the Breviary.

1. *'A11 ye who seek an unfailing consolation in ad-
versity, whether uneasy guilt gnaws at you, or punishment,
its companion, oppresses you."

2. *' Approach that Heart disclosed by a wound, the
gentle Heart of Jesus, who, as an innocent lamb, gave Him-
self up to be sacrificed." Jesu is the genitive after Cor.

3. '*Ye hear how, with the sweetest words He invites all:
'Come ye whom labor doth weigh down, and a weight of
sins doth oppress.' " Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et
onerati estis, et ego reficiam vos (Matt. 11, 28).

4. ''What is more meek than the Heart of Jesus? Even
those who had fastened Jesus to the Cross, It excuses, and
It implores the Father that as an avenger He destroy not
the godless." Pater, dimitte illis: non enim sciunt, quid
faciunt (Luke 23, 34).

5. "0 Heart, the delight of the Blessed, 0 Heart, the

200

THE SACRED HEART

surest hope of mortals, lo, attracted by these words, we
suppliantly come to Thee. ' ' Hisce vocibus, viz., in the two
preceding stanzas.

6. ' ' Cleanse Thou our wounds in the Blood flowing from
Thee ; grant a new heart to all, who sighing invoke Thee. ' '
Novum cor, a new life.

Summi Parentis Filio

SUMMI Parentis Filio,
Patri futuri sseculi,
Pacis beatae Principi,
Promamus ore canticum.

OTHOU, the Son of God most
High,
Thou Father of the life to be,
0 Prince of Peace, to Thee we cry,
We bring our song of praise to
Thee.

^ Qui vulneratus pectore
Amoris ictum pertulit,
Amoris urens ignibus
Ipsum qui amantem diligunt.

Thy Heart was wounded by the

blow
Ordained of everlasting love;
Such love among Thy flocks below
Thou kindlest at the fires above.

^Jesu, doloris victima,
Quis te innocentem compulit,
Dura ut apertum lancea
Latus pateret vulneri?

Dear Christ in pity for our woe
Thou didst Thyself as victim give.
The cruel pangs to undergo,
To ope Thy breast that man might
live.

*0 fons amoris inclyte!
0 vena aquarum limpida,
0 flamma adurens criminal
O cordis ardens caritas!

' In Corde, Jesu, jugiter
Reconde nos, ut uberi
Dono fruamur gratias,
Coelique tandem praemiis.

0 sacred fount of love sublime,
0 living spring of waters free,
0 fire to cleanse away all crime,
O Heart aflame with charity.

Lord, keep us ever in Thy Heart,
Thy tender love to feel and know,
The joys of heaven to us impart,
When we shall leave these walks
below.

Semper Parenti, et Filio,
Sit laus, honor, sit gloria,
Sancto simul Paraclito
In saeculorum saecula.

Glory to Father and to Son,
And to the Holy Ghost the same.
To whom all power, when time is

done.
And endless rule, in endless fame.

201

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Authob: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by D. J. Donahoe. There are five transla-
tions. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds in an Office of the
Sacred Heart granted by special concession. Like the pre-
ceding hymn it is not found in the latest edition of the
Breviary.

1. *'Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Son of the most
High Father, to the Father of the world to come, to the
Prince of blessed peace." Patri futuri sceculi: These
words and Princeps pacis, refer to Christ, and are taken
literally from Isaias 9, 6.

2. ''He w^ho, wounded in the breast, endured out of love
the stroke, doth enkindle with the flames of love those who
reciprocate His love." Constr. : Urens (eos) ignibus amoris
qui ipsum amantem diligunt.

3. '*0 Jesus, Victim of sorrow, who drove Thee, inno-
cent, thereto, that Thy side, opened by a cruel spear, should
be exposed to injury?" Dura, hard, unfeeling. Vulneri,
hurt, wounding.

4. ''0 glorious fount of love! 0 limpid spring of
waters! 0 flame that burnest away sins! 0 the glowing
love of that Heart I ' '

5. *'In Thy Heart, 0 Jesus, hide us forever, that we may
enjoy rich gifts of grace, and in the end, the rewards of
heaven. ' '

6. ''Be praise, honor, and glory to the Father and Son
forever; and likewise, through all ages to the Holy Para-
clete."

87 Dies irce, dies ilia

DIES ir», dies ilia, fyHAT day of wrath, that dread-

Solvet sseclum in favilla: •*• ful day,

Teste David cum Sibylla. When heaven and earth shall pass

away,
Both David and the Sibyl say.

^ Quantus tremor est futurus, What terror then shall us befall,

Quando Judex est venturus, When lo, the Judge's steps appall,

Cuncta stricte discussurus! About to sift the deeds of all.

202

DIES IR^

* Tuba mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulchra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.

The mighty trumpet's marvellous
tone

Shall pierce through each sepul-
chral stone

And summon all before the throne.

*Mors stupebit, et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Judicanti responsura.

"Liber scriptus proferetur.
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus judicetur.

* Judex ergo cum sedebit,
Quidquid latet, apparebit;
Nil inultum remanebit.

Now Death and Nature in amaze
Behold the Lord His creatures

raise,
To meet the Judge's awful gaze.

The books are opened, that the

dead
May have their doom from what is

read.
The record of our conscience

dread.

The Lord of judgment sits Him

down,
And every secret thing makes

known ;
No crime escapes His vengeful

frown.

"Quid sum, miser, tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus?
Cum vix Justus sit securus?

^ Rex tremendae majestatis,
Qui salvandos salvas gratis,
Salva me, fons pietatis.

^Recordare, Jesu pie,
Quod sum causa tuae viae:
Ne me perdas ilia die.

^" Quaerens me, sedisti lassus:
Redemisti crucem passus:
Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Ah, how shall I that day endure?

What patron's friendly voice se-
cure,

When scarce the just themselves
are sure?

0 King of dreadful majesty,
Who grantest grace and mercy

free,
Grant mercy now and grace to me.

Good Lord, 'twas for my sinful

sake.
That Thou our suffering flesh

didst take;
Then do not now my soul forsake.

In weariness Thy sheep was

sought;
Upon the Cross His life was

bought ;
Alas, if all in vain were wrought.

203

PROPER OF THE SEASON

^* Juste judex ultionis,
Donum fac remissionis
Ante diem rationis.

^^ Ingemisco tamquam reus:
Culpa rubet vultus meus:
Supplicanti parce, Deus.

" Qui Mariam absolvisti,
Et latronem exaudisti,
Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

^* Pieces meae non sunt dignae:
Sed tu bonus fac benigne,
Ne perenni cremer igne.

^' Inter oves locum praesta,
Et ab hcedis me sequestra,
Statuens in parte dextra.

" Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis:
Voca me cum benedictis.

" Oro supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritimi quasi cinis;
Gere curam mei finis.

" Lacrimosa dies ilia,
Qua resurget ex favilla,
Judicandus homo reus.
Huic ergo parce, Deus:
Pie Jesu, Domine,
Dona eis requiem.

0 just avenging Judge, I pray,
For pity take my sins away,
Before the great accounting-day.

1 groan beneath the guilt, Avhich

Thou
Canst read upon my blushing

brow;
But spare, O God, Thy suppliant

now.

Thou who didst Mary's sins un-
bind.
And mercy for the robber find.
Dost fill with hope my anxious
mind.

My feeble prayers can make no

claim,
Yet, gracious Lord, for Thy great

Name,
Redeem me from the quenchless

flame.

At Thy right hand, give me a

place
Among Thy sheep, a child of

grace.
Far from the goats' accursed race.

Yea, when Thy justly kindled ire
Shall sinners hurl to endless fire.
Oh, call me to Thy chosen choir.

In suppliant prayer I prostrate

bend.
My contrite heart like ashes rend,
Regard, O Lord, my latter end.

Oh, on that day, that tearful day,
When man to judgment wakes

from clay.
Be thou the trembling sinner's

stay.
And spare him, God, we humbly

pray.
Yea, grant to all, 0 Saviour Blest,
Who die in Thee, the Saints' sweet

rest.

204

DIES IR^

Author: Thomas of Celano, 13th cent. Meter : Trochaic
dimeter. Translation, a cento: stanzas 1-5, 10, 14, 17, 18,
by W. F. "Wingfield, the remainder by Father Aylward, O.P.
There are, or rather were, in 1895, some 234 recorded Eng-
lish translations of this world-famous hymn. There are
four translations in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus. Litur-
gical Use : Sequence in Requiem Masses. It is very prob-
able that the Dies Irce was composed as a sequence for the
first Sunday in Advent.

The exquisite beauty of the Latin original has continu-
ally lured translators to attempt to reproduce this noble
hymn in the vernacular. The great number of the trans-
lations is an eloquent witness of this fact. It is freely ac-
knowledged that no adequate translation has yet appeared.
Dr. Coles, a Newark physician, who made eighteen trans-
lations of the hymn, maintains that no single version can
reflect the totality of the original. The untranslatableness
of the hymn is acknowledged by the Rev. Mr. Dufifield,
whose sixth version^ in his opinion, has not carried him
''one inch" beyond the first.

Some idea of the difficulties that confront the translator
may be obtained from the following apologia of Dr. Coles
for having made so many versions: — ''To preserve, in con-
nection with the utmost fidelity and strictness of rendering,
all the rhythmic merits of the Latin original, — to attain
to a vital likeness as well as to an exact literalness, at the
same time that nothing is sacrificed of its musical sonorous-
ness and billowy grandeur, easy and graceful in its swing
as the ocean on its bed, — to make the verbal copy, other-
wise cold and dead, glow with the fire of lyric passion, —
to reflect, and that too by means of a single version, the
manifold aspects of the many-sided original, exhausting at
once its wonderful fulness and pregnancy, — to cause the
white light of the primitive so to pass through the medium
of another language as that it shall undergo no refraction
whatever, — would be desirable, certainly, were it prac-
ticable; but so much as this it were unreasonable to ex-
pect in a single version" {Dies Irce in Thirteen Original
Versions, p. 33).
Some idea of the intangible beauty and consequent un-

205

PROPER OF THE SEASON

translatableness of the hymn may be obtained from the
judicious opinions of eminent critics. Thus Mr. Saints-
bury: "Rhyme, alliteration, cadence, and adjustment of
vowel and consonant values, all these things receive per-
fect expression in it, or, at least in the first thirteen stan-
zas, for the last four are a little inferior. It is quite aston-
ishing to reflect upon the careful art or felicitous accident
of such a line as

Tuba mirum spargens sonum,

with the thud of the trochee falling in each instant on a
different vowel; and still more on the continuous sequence
of five stanzas, from Judex ergo to non sit cassus in which
a word could not be displaced or replaced by another with-
out loss. The climax of verbal harmony corresponding to
and expressing religious passion and religious awe, is
reached in the last,

Quaerens me sedisti lassus,
Redemisti crucem passus:
Tantus labor non sit cassus! —

where the sudden change from the dominent e sound (ex-
cept in the rhyme foot) of the first two lines to the a's of the
last is simply miraculous, and miraculously assisted by what
may be called the internal sub-rhyme of sedisti and
redemisti. This latter effect can rarely be attempted with-
out a jingle: there is no jingle here, only an ineffable
melody. After the Dies Irce, no poet could say that any ef-
fect of poetry was, as far as sound goes, unattainable;
though few could have hoped to equal it, and perhaps no
one except Dante and Shakespeare has fully done so'*
{Flourishing of Romance, p. 9).

According to Dr. Duffield, the Dies Irce ''gives us a new
conception of the powers of the Latin tongue. Its wonder-
ful wedding of sense and sound — the u assonance in the
second stanza, the o assonance in the third, the a and i
assonance in the fourth, for instance — the sense of organ
music that runs through the hymn, even unaccompanied,
as distinctly as through the opening verses of Lowell's
Vision of Sir Launfal and the transitions as clearly marked
in sound as in meaning from lofty adoration to pathetic

206

DIES IR^

entreaty, impart a grandeur and dignity to the Dies Irce
which are unique in this kind of writing. Then the wonder-
ful adaptation of the triple rhyme to the theme — like blow
following blow of hammer upon anvil, as Daniel says — im-
presses every reader" {Latin Hymns, p. 249).

Scriptural references: The hymn is replete with Scrip-
tural references to both the Old and New Testaments. The
actual Judgment scene will be found in detail in Matt. 24,
27-31; Luke 21, 25-27; Apoc. 20, 12-15.

Analysis: (a) The first six stanzas are descriptive. They
picture with remarkable brevity and detail the Judgment
scene of the Scriptures.

(b) The remaining stanzas are lyric in character and ex-
press the anguish of one of the multitude there present in
spirit — his pleading before the Judge, who, while on earth,
sought him unceasingly over the hard and thorny ways
from Bethlehem to Calvary ; and now, in anticipation of the
Judgment, pleads before a Saviour of infinite mercy, who,
on Judgment Day, will be a Judge of infinite justice, be-
fore whom scarcely the just will be secure.

(c) The seventh stanza serves to connect the descrip-
tive with the lyric part of the hymn. In it the soul acknowl-
edges the futility of expecting aid from creatures — for even
the Saints and Angels will be judged.

(d) The eighth stanza represents Christ in the twofold
character of ''King of awful majesty" in the Last Judg-
ment, and "Fount of loving piety" in the present life.

(e) The next six stanzas (9-14) develop the thought of
God's mercy. They comprise two divisions of three stanzas
each. The last stanza of each division contains an appro-
priate prayer. The first division (stanzas 9-11) deals with
the first basis on which an appeal for mercy may rest, viz.,
on the labors and sufferings of Christ. The second division
(12-14) deals with the second basis on which an appeal for
mercy may rest, viz., on the repentance of the sinner.

(f) In the fifteenth stanza the Scriptural division of
the sheep (the just) from the goats (the reprobates) is set
before us : in the sixteenth stanza the picture of the Judg-
ment is concluded with the "depart ye cursed," and "come
ye blessed" of the Scriptures.

207

PROPER OF THE SEASON

There is a very interesting article on the Dies Irce, in the
Cath. Encycl. A scholarly and extensive series of articles
on the Dies Irce appeared in The Dolphiti, from Nov., 1904,
to May, 1905. The series, 144 pages in all, consists of Notes
on the Dies Irce by the Rev. Mr. Warren, M.A., a collabora-
tor in Julian's Dictionary of Hymnology, and of Comments
on the Notes of Mr. Warren, by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. H. T.
Henry, Litt.D. To these articles the editor is greatly in-
debted. In the article on Judgment, in the Cath. Encycl.,
read the last section, which treats of the General Judg-
ment.

The following is Sir Walter Scott's greatly admired con-
densed rendering of the Dies Irce which is found in his Lay
of the Last Minstrel. It consists of only twelve lines.

87B

THAT Day of wrath, that dreadful day,
When heaven and earth shall pass away.
What power shall be the sinner's stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?

When, shrivelling like a parched scroll,
The flaming heavens together roll;
When louder yet, and yet more dread,
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead:

0, on that day, that wrathful day,
When man to judgment wakes from clay.
Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay.
Though heaven and earth shall pass away!

The metrical translations of the respective stanzas, given
below, are from various authors whose translations are
mentioned by Mr. Warren as among the best.

The stanzas are uniformly in trochaic sevens, thus form-
ing a fine cento.

1. ''That day of wrath, that day shall reduce the world
to glowing embers, David with the Sibyl being witness. ' '

208

DIES IR^

87G

AH that day of wrath and woe,
When the fire that seers foreknow
All the world shall overflow.

— Canon Bright

Dies irw, dies ilia: These words of *' startling suddenness"
with which the poet ushers in his theme are from the
Prophet Sophonias : Dies irse, dies ilia, dies tribulationis et
angustiae, dies calamitatis et miseriae, dies tenebrarum et
caliginis, dies nebulsB et turbinis, dies tubae et clangoris
(Soph. 1,15-16). Solvet: {ct II Fetev 3, 10). Teste David:
(cf. Pss. 10, 7 ; 49, 3-6 ; and esp. 101, 26-28). Sibylla: If any
particular Sibyl is meant it is the Erythraean Sibyl, the
author of the well-known acrostic on the name of Christ.
However, ** David and the Sibyl" here stand for Jew and
Gentile, the witnesses respectively of inspiration and of
mere natural religion. See the article on Sibylline Oracles,
in the Cath. Encycl.

2. *'How great shall be the trembling, when the Judge
shall come to investigate rigidly all things."

0 what trembling shall appear
When His coming shall be near
Who shall all things strictly clear.

— Dean At ford

For the Scriptural account of the Judge's coming to judge
the world, cf. Luke 21, 25-27. Stride discussurus: To
search and thoroughly lay bare.

3. ''The trumphet scattering a wondrous sound through
the sepulchers of the whole world shall gather all before
the throne."

At the unearthly trump's command
Heard in graves of every land
All before the throne must stand.

— Canon Bright

Tuba: Et mittet angelos suos cum tuba et voce magna: et
congregabunt ^I^v..os ejus a quattuor ventis, a summis
coelorum usque ad terminos eorum (Matt. 24, 31).

209

PROPER OF THE SEASON

4. ** Death and Nature shall stand aghast, when the
creature shall rise again to answer to the Judge. ' *

Death shall shrink and Nature quake
When all creatures shall awake,
Answer to their God to make.

— Dean Alford

Et dedit mare mortuos qui in eo erant : et mors et infernus
dederunt mortuos suos qui in ipsis erant ; et judicatum est
de singulis secundum opera ipsorum (Apoc. 20, 13).

5. "The written Book shall be brought forth, in which
all is contained whence the world is to be judged."

Then the volume shall be spread
And the writing shall be read
Which shall judge the quick and dead.

— Isaac Williams

Liber: Et vidi mortuos magnos et pusillos stantes in con-
spectu throni, et libri aperti sunt ; et alius liber apertus est,
qui est vitaB; et judicati sunt mortui ex his quae scripta
erant in libris secundum opera ipsorum (Apoc. 20, 12).
The **Book" is the Book of Life which contains a most de-
tailed record of each one's life, even of his most secret
thoughts and idle words.

6. ''When therefore the Judge shall be seated, whatso-
ever is hidden shall be brought to light ; nothing shall re-
main unpunished."

When the Judge His place has ta'en
All things hid shall be made plain,
Nothing unavenged remain.

— Abp. Trench

With this stanza the epic or narrative part of the hymn
closes, the remaining stanzas are lyric in character.

7. **What shall I, wretched, then say? AVhat patron
shall I entreat, when even the just shall hardly be without
anxiety?"

What shall wretched I then plead,

Who for me shall intercede,

When the righteous scarce is freed?

— Isaac Williams

210

DIES IRM

Patronus, advocate, counsel. Cum vix Justus: Et si Justus
vix salvabitur, impius et peccator ubi parebunt? (I Peter,
4, 18).

8. ''King of awful majesty, who savest freely those who
are to be saved, save me, 0 Fount of mercy. ' '

King of dread, whose mercy free
Saveth those that saved shall be.
Fount of pity, pity me.

— Lord Lindsey

Salvandos: Read the articles on Elect, Salvation, and parts
of the article on Grace, in the Cath. Encycl.

9. ''Remember, 0 loving Jesus, that for my sake Thou
didst come upon earth: let me not, then, be lost on that
day."

Jesus, 'twas my debt to pay

Thou didst wend Thy weary way;

Keep me on that dreadful day.

— Messenger of the Sacred Heart, England.

Tu(B vice: Christ's whole life on earth, —

"From the poor manger to the bitter cross."

Ne me perdas: Quia quos dedisti mihi, non perdidi ex eis
quemquam (John 18, 9).

10. ''Seeking me Thou sattest weary; suffering the
Cross, Thou didst redeem me ; let not so great a labor be in
vain. ' '

Weary satst Thou seeking me,
Diedst redeeming on the tree;
Not in vain such toil can be.

—Mrs. E. Charles

Sedisti lassus: Jesus was often zveary seeking the lost sheep
of the house of Israel, but the poet here undoubtedly had
in mind the touching picture of Our Lord resting at Jacob 's
well, and awaiting the Samaritan woman (John 4, 6). Dr.
Johnson could not repeat this touching verse without
shedding tears.

11. "Just Judge of vengeance, grant the gift of pardon
ere the day of accounting."

211

PROPER OF THE SEASON

Thou just Judge of wrath severe,
Grant my sins remission here,
Ere Thy reckoning day appear.

— Dean Alford

Ultionis: Mea est ultio, et ego retribuam in tempore (Deut.
32, 35).

12. **I groan like one condemned; my face reddens with
guilt; the suppliant spare, 0 God."

Sighs and tears my sorrow speak.
Shame and grief are on my cheek,
Mercy, mercy, Lord, I seek.

— Dr. Schaff

Reus is here taken in the sense of one conde-mned rather
than one accused, as the line following would seem to im-
ply.

13. *'Thou who didst absolve Mary, and didst hearken
to the thief, to me also Thou hast given hope. ' '

Thou who Mary didst forgive
And who badst the robber live,
Hope to me dost also give.

— Abp. Trench

Mariam absolvisti: Mary Magdalen, who, whether named
or not, is the sinner referred to by the four Evangelists ;
Matt. 26, 7; Mark 14, 3; Luke 7, 48; 10, 38-42; John 12, 2-3.
Latronem: the penitent thief. Et dicebat ad Jesum:
Domine, memento mei, cum veneris in regnum tuum. Et
dixit illi Jesus : Amen dico tibi, hodie mecum eris in para-
diso (Luke 23,42-43).

14. ''Unworthy are my prayers; but do Thou who art
good benignly grant that I burn not in everlasting fire."

Though my prayers deserve no hire,
Yet good Lord, grant my desire,
I may 'scape eternal fire.

— James Dymock

15. ''Amid Thy sheep appoint me a place, and separate
me from the goats, placing me at Thy right hand. ' '

212

DIES IR^

Mid Thy sheep my place command,
From the goats far off to stand,
Set me, Lord, at Thy right hand.

— Abp. Trench

Et statuit oves quidem a dextris suis, hoedos autem a sin-
istris (Matt. 25, 33).

16. **The accursed having been silenced and given over
to the bitter flames, call me with the blessed."

When the curst are put to shame,

Cast into devouring flame,

With the blest then call my name.

— Dr. Schaff

Confutatis: The wicked will be silenced when they hear
from the lips of Our Lord : Amen, dico vobis : quamdiu non
fecistis uni de minoribus his, nee mihi fecistis (Matt. 25,
45).

17. ''Kneeling and prostrate I pray, with a heart con-
trite as though crushed to ashes; have a care of my last
hour. ' '

Contrite, suppliant, I pray,

Ashes on my heart I lay;

Care Thou for me on that day.

— Mrs. E. Charles

Contritum, utterly crushed.

18. ** Doleful shall be that day on which guilty man
shall rise from the glowing embers to be judged : spare him,
then, 0 God. Merciful Jesus, Lord, grant them rest."

Full of tears the day shall prove
When from ashes rising move
To the judgment guilty men:
Spare, Thou God of mercy, then.
Lord, all-pitying, Jesu Blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest.

— Isaac Williams

Dr. W. J. Irons' much admired translation is given be-
low. It is more extensively used than any other transla-
tion of the Dies Irce. Dr. Irons ' translation was made from
the Paris Missal Text but it is generally edited to con-
form to the Text of the Roman Missal. Judging from the

213

PROPER OF THE SEASON

number of hymn-books and other books that contain this
translation it is quite probable that a few million copies of
it are printed each year. It is said that the sale of Hymns
Ancietit and Modern {H. A. S M.) alone exceeds one mil-
lion copies annually. Dr. Irons' translation is in our own
Baltimore Manual of Prayers, and in the London Catholic
Truth Society's Book of Sequences. The translation re-
tains the exact meter and rhyme scheme of the original.

87D

DAY of wrath and doom impending,
David's word with Sibyl's blending!
Heaven and earth in ashes ending!

0, what fear man's bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth!

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's sepulchers it ringeth.
All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking.

All creation is awaking,

To its Judge an answer making.

Lo! the book exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded;
Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge His seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous.
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, kind Jesu! my salvation
Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation.

214

DIES IR^

Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,
On the Cross of suffering bought me;
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! for sin's pollution
Grant Thy gift of absolution,
Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning.
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, 0 God, Thy suppliant groaning!

Through the sinful woman shriven,
Through the dying thief forgiven.
Thou to me a hope hast given.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing.
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying.

With Thy favored sheep 0 place me.
Nor among the goats abase me.
But to Thy right hand upraise me.

While the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me with Thy Saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart submission,
Crushed to ashes in contrition;
Help me in my last condition!

Ah! that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning,
Man for judgment must prepare him;
Spare, 0 God, in mercy spare him!
Lord all-pitying, Jesu Blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest.

216

Part III
QTtie proper of t^t Bainti

It will be observed that with a few noteworthy ex-
ceptions the hymns in honor of the Saints have not been
translated as often as the remaining hymns of the Breviary.
This is in part explained by the fact that the cultus of a
Saint is more or less national in character, and the Breviary
contains few hymns in honor of Saints who are especially
venerated in English-speaking countries.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Dec. 8

Pr cedar a custos virginum

PR^CLARA custos virginum, T>LEST guardian of all virgin

•■■ Intacta Mater Numinis, "*-' souls,

Coelestis aulae janua, Portal of bliss to man forgiven,

Spes nostra, coeli gaudium. Pure Mother of Almighty God,

Thou hope of earth and joy of
heaven !

'Inter rubeta lilium,
Columba formosissima,
Virga e radice germinans
Nostro medelam vulneri.

Fair Lily found among the thorns,
Most beauteous Dove with wings

of gold.
Rod from whose tender root

upsprang
That healing Flower so long
foretold.

217

PROPER OF SAINTS

^Turris draconi impervia, Thou Tower against the dragon

Arnica stella naufragis, proof,

Tuere nos a fraudibus, Thou Star to storm-tossed voya-

Tuaque luce dirige. gers dear;

Our course lies o'er a treacherous

deep,
Thine be the light by which we
steer.

*Erroris umbras discute, Scatter the mists that round us

Syrtes dolosas amove, hang;

Fluctus tot inter, deviis Keep far the fatal shoals away;

Tutam reclude semitam. And while through darkling waves

we sweep.
Open a path to light and day.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria, 0 Jesu, born of Virgin bright.

Qui natus es de Virgine, Immortal glory be to Thee;

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, Praise to the Father infinite

In sempiterna saecula. And Holy Ghost eternally.

Authoe: Unknown, 17th cent. Metee: Iambic dimeter.
Teanslation by Father Caswall. There are at least four
translations. This hymn first appeared in the Office of the
Purity of the Blessed Virgin, authorized by Pope Benedict
XIV, in 1751. Present Lituegical Use: Hymn for Mat-
ins on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

1. "Illustrious guardian of virgins, chaste Mother of
God, portal of the heavenly court, our hope, the joy of
heaven." Ccelestis aulce janua = Janua coeli. Gate of
heaven (Litany).

2. '*Thou lily among the thorns, dove all-beauteous, rod
from the root (of Jesse) producing a healing balm for our
wounds." Rubeta, orum, thorns. Sicut lilium inter spinas,
sic amica mea inter filias (Cant. 2, 2). Columha: Surge,
propera, amica mea, columba mea, formosa mea, et veni
(Cant. 2, 10). In the Scriptures the dove is a symbol of
innocence and purity, and also of tender and devoted af-
fection. Virga: Egredietur virga de radice Jesse et flos de
radice ejus ascendet (Is. 11, 1). Jesse was the father of
David, and was, therefore, a lineal ancestor of the Blessed
Virgin.

3. ' * Thou tower inaccessible to the dragon, star friendly

218

ST. PETER'S CHAIR AT ROME

to the shipwrecked, protect us from deception, and guide us
by thy light." Turris — Turris Davidica, Tower of David
(Litany: cf. Cant. 4, 4).

4. ''Dispel the shadows of error, remove treacherous
shoals ; among so many waves, reveal a safe path to those
astray."

ST. PETER'S CHAIR AT ROME

Jan. 18

89 Quodcumque in orbe

QUODCUMQUE in orbe nexi- pETER, whatever thou shalt bind
bus revinxeris, ■■- on earth,

Erit revinctum Petre in aroe The same is bound above the starry

siderum : sky ;

Et quod resolvit hie potestas What here thy delegated power

tradita, doth loose,

Erit solutum coeli in alto vertice: Is loosed in heaven's supremest
In fine mundi judicabis saeculum. Court on high:

To Judgment shalt thou come,
when the world's end is
nigh.

■Patri perenne sit per aevum Praise to the Father, through all

gloria, ages be;

Tibique laudes concinamus in- Praise to the consubstantial sov-

clytas, ereign Son,

interne Nate, sit superne Spiritus And Holy Ghost, One glorious
Honor tibi, decusque: sancta Trinity;

jugiter To whom all majesty and might
Laudetur omne Trinitas per belong;

saeculum. So sing we now, and such be our

eternal song.

Author: Ascribed to St. Paulinus Patriarch of
Aquileia (726-802). Meter: Iambic trimeter. Trans-
lation by Father Caswall. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Vespers and Matins on the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at
Rome. It is similarly used on the Feast of St. Peter's Chair
at Antioch. First line of Original Text: Quodcumque

219

PROPER OF SAINTS

vinclis super terram strinxeris. This hymn is a part of a
longer hymn beginning: Felix per omnes festum mundi
cardines. There are nine stanzas in the complete hymn.
In addition to several anonymous translations in the early
Primers, there are ten later translations, three of which are
translations of the complete hymn. This hymn is evi-
dently later than, and modeled on, the Decora lux which is
used on the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29).

1. ** Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth with chains, O
Peter, shall be bound in the stronghold of the skies, and
what here the power bestowed upon thee doth loosen, shall
be loosed in heaven's exalted height; at the end of the
world thou shalt judge mankind." This stanza contains
a metrical rendering of Matt. 16, 19: Et tibi dabo claves
regni coelorum. Et quodcumque ligaveris super terram,
erit ligatum et in coelis: et quodcumque solveris super
terram, erit solutum et in coelis. Judicabis: Cf. Matt. 19,
28.

2. "To God the Father be glory through endless ages;
Eternal Son, may we sing Thy glorious praises ; Heavenly
Spirit, to Thee be honor and glory: unceasingly may the
Holy Trinity be praised through all eternity."

90 Beate Pastor Petre

"DEATE Pastor Petre, clemens r\ PETER, Shepherd good, our

-'-' accipe V^ voices sing of thee;

Voces precantum, criminumque Thy very word had might from

vincula chains of sin to free;

Verbo resolve, cui potestas tradita To thee, by power divine, the
Aperire terris ccelum, apertum mystic keys were given,

claudere. Which ope the skies to men, or

close the gates of heaven.

* Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria, All honor, might, and power, and
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatia, hymns of joy we bring,

In unitate, quas gubernat omnia, While to the Trinity eternal praise
Per universa seternitatis ssecula. we sing:

He rules the universe in wondrous

Unity,
And shall, throughout the days of
all eternity.
220

CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

Author: Ascribed to Elpis (d. 493), wife of the phi-
losopher Boethius (480-524). Meter: Iambic trimeter.
Translation by T. I. Ball. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Lauds on the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome (Jan. 18),
and at Antioch (Feb. 22).

This hymn is the first stanza of the hymn for Lauds on
the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29). See hymn 117.

CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

Jan. 25

Egregie Doctor Paule

EGREGIE Doctor Paule mores
instrue,
Et nostra tecum pectora in coelum

trahe :
Velata dum meridiem cernat

fides,
Et soils instar sola regnet caritas.

' Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria,
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio,
In unitate, quae gubernat omnia,
Per universa aeternitatis saecula.

OUR souls' great Teacher, Paul,
our guide in wisdom's ways,
Teach us, our fainting hearts, to
heaven's glad clime to raise.
Till Faith in clearest light her

bright meridian gains.
And Love with sun-like fire with-
in each bosom reigns.

All honor, might, and power, and

hymns of joy we bring.
While to the Trinity eternal praise

we sing;
He rules the universe in wondrous

Unity,
And shall, throughout the days of

all eternity.

Author and Meter as in the preceding hymn. Trans-
lation by Father Potter. Liturgical Use: Hjann for
Vespers and Matins on the Feast of the Conversion of St.
Paul.

This hymn is the second stanza of the hymn for Lauds
on the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29). See hymn
117.

221

PROPER OF SAINTS
ST. MARTINA

Jan. 25
MartincB celebrt

MARTINA celebri plaudite
nomini
Gives Romulei, plaudite glorise:
Insigiiem meritis dicite Virginem,
Christi dicite Martyrem.

'Haec dum conspicuis orta paren-
tibus
Inter delicias, inter amabiles
Luxus iJlecebras ditibus afifluit
Faustse muneribus domus.

'Vitae despiciens commoda, dedi-

cat
Se rerum Domino, et raunifica

manu
Christi pauperibus distribuens

opes,
Quaerit praemia coelitum.

*A nobis abigas lubrica gaudia
Tu, qui Martyribus dexter ades,

Deus
Une et trine: tuis da famulis

jubar.
Quo clemens animos beas.

WITH joyous songs, great
Rome, Martina's fame ex-
tol.
Her glowing praises tell, and all

her mighty deeds;
A Virgin pure and chaste, she

leads a stainless life,
And for her Lord a Martyr bleeds.

A happy home is hers, and all

that makes this world
So sweet, and fresh, and fair, to

those who love its wiles:
From noblest parents sprung, 'mid

wealth, and love, and joy,
Her life speeds on, 'mid naught

but smiles.

These pleasures soon she spurns —
her wealth she gladly gives

To Christ's own blessed poor —
herself, to God above;

No other wealth she seeks save
her own spotless Spouse,

Forever blest in His pure love.

0 Thou, the Martyrs' strength, all
cheating joys expel,

And fill us with Thy bright and
never-fading love;

Show us the beam divine, which
forms the crowning joy,

God, Three in One, of bliss above.

Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meteb:
Asclepiadic and Glyconic. Translation by Father Potter.
There are four translations. Liturgical Use: The com-

222

ST. MARTINA

plete hymn is divided into three parts of three stanzas each
and is used as follows :

92 Vespers: Martince celebri

93 Matins: Non illam crucians

94 Lauds : Tu natale solum

The same doxology A nobis ahigas is used at the end of
each part.

1. ''Praise, 0 citizens of Eome, the illustrious name of
Martina, praise her glory; celebrate in song a Virgin ren-
dered illustrious by her merits ; sing a Martyr of Christ. ' '
Romulei, adj., of Romulus.

2. **As she was born of distinguished parents, she lived
amid pleasures, amid the fascinating allurements of luxury,
and she abounded in the rich gifts of a prosperous house. ' '
Constr. : Affluit ditibus muneribus domus f austas.

3. *'But despising the comforts of life, she dedicates her-
self to the Lord of creation, and with a lavish hand she dis-
tributes her riches among the poor of Christ, and seeks for
herself the reward of the Blessed." St. Martina was left
an orphan at an early age. As soon as she obtained posses-
sion of her property, she distributed it among the poor of
Rome.

4. "0 God, Three and One, Thou who dost mightily as-
sist the Martyrs, drive far from us dangerous pleasures:
grant to Thy servants the light wherewith Thou dost gra-
ciously bless their souls. ' ' Juhar, the light of glory.

93 Non illam crucians

NQN illam crucians ungula, nHHE agonizing hooks, the rend-

non ferae, -■- ing scourge,
Non virgae horribili vulnere com- Shook not the dauntless spirit in

movent; her breast;

Hinc lapsi e Superimi sedibus With torments racked, Angels her

Angeli fainting flesh

Coelesti dape recreant. Recruit with heavenly feast.

Quin et deposita sasvitie leo In vain they cast her to the

Se rictu placido projicit ad ravening beasts;

pedes: Calm at her feet the lion crouches

down:

223

PROPER OF SAINTS

Te Martina tamen dans gladius Till smitten by the sword at length

neci she goes

Coeli coetibus inserit. To her immortal crown.

^Te, thuris reddens ara vapori- Now with the Saints Martina
bus, reigns in bliss,

Quae fumat, precibus jugiter in- And where Idolatry sat throned
vocat, of yore,

Et falsum perimens auspicium, From her victorious altar praise
tui and prayer

Delet nominis omine. With odorous incense soar.

*A nobis abigas lubrica gaudia. Expel false worldly joys; and fill
Tu, qui Martyribus dexter ades, us, Lord,

Deus With Thy irradiating beam divine;

Une et Trine: tuis da famulis Who with Thy suffering Martyrs

jubar, present art.

Quo clemens animos beas. Great Godhead one and trine.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Trans-
lation by Father Caswall.

1. ** Neither the agonizing hook, nor wild beasts, nor the
rods with their painful wounds shake her constancy ; there-
upon Angels descend from the abodes of the Blessed and
strengthen her with heavenly food." lingular, a claw-
shaped torturing hook.

2. **And even the lion, laying aside his savage nature,
with friendly gaping jaws lays himself doMTi at her feet:
thee, at length, Martina, the sword delivers up to death
and enrolls thee among the hosts of heaven. ' ' St. Martina
was beheaded in 228, in the persecution under Alexander
Severus.

3. *'The altar which smokes, redolent with the odors of
incense, unceasingly invokes thee with prayers, and it de-
stroys and annihilates by the omen of thy name baneful
idol-worship." Auspicium, divination by means of birds.
The word is here used in the sense of idolatry, heathen wor-
ship in general. Omine: The "omen" alluded to is a refer-
ence to the derivation of the Saint's name Martina {the
warlike) from Mars, Martis, the god of war. The "war-
fare" she waged was on the idols in the vicinity of Rome,
many of whose altars were overthrown by her prayers.

224

ST. MARTINA
94 Tu natale solum

TU natale solum protege, tu 15E thou the guardian of thy
bonae '*-' native land,

Da pacis requiem Christiadum And to all Christian nations grant

plagis; repose

Armorum strepitus, et fera prcelia From din of arms, and every
In fines age Thracios. hostile band —

From all our borders drive away
our foes.

*Et regum socians agmina sub Bid Christian princes marshal all
crucis their force

Vexillo, Solymas nexibus exime, Beneath the sacred standard of the
Vindexque innocui sanguinis Rood,

hosticum To avenge sweet Salem's sacri-

Robur funditus erue. legions loss,

And crush the Paynim red with
guiltless blood.

* Tu nostrum colimien, tu decus On thee our hopes are built, as on
inclytum, a tower;

Nostrarum obsequium respice Receive the homage we now

mentium; humbly pay,

Romae vota libens excipe, quse The vows which Rome accom-

pio plishes this hour,

Te ritu canit, et colit. With pious rites, and canticles'

sweet lay.

*A nobis abigas lubrica gaudia Keep far from us all dangerous
Tu, qui Martyribus dexter ades, delight,

Deus 0 God, who comfortest Thy

Une et Trine: tuis da famulis Martyrs' pain;

jubar, One God in Persons Three, bestow

Quo clemens animos beas. Thy light

Wherewith Thou makest strong
Thy Martyrs slain.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Trans-
lation by Father Wallace, O.S.B.

1. ** Protect thy native land and give to Christian nations
the repose of holy peace : banish the din of arms and dread-
ful wars to Thracian fields. ' ' Christiadum = Christiano-
rum, Christians. In fines Thracios: afar, to the remotest
regions.

225

PROPER OF SAINTS

2. **And uniting the armies of kings under the banner
of the Cross, deliver Jerusalem from bondage, and as an
avenger of innocent blood, utterly destroy the hostile
power (of the Turks)." SolymcB, poetical form of Hieroso-
lyma, orum, Jerusalem.

3. **Thou, our pillar of strength, our illustrious orna-
ment, behold the benevolent disposition of our hearts;
graciously accept the prayers of Rome, who in a loving
manner sings thy praises and honors thee. ' '

THE HOLY FAMILY

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

O Lux beata coelitum

OLUX beata coelitum
Et summa spes mortalium,
Jesu, o cui domestica
Arrisit orto caritas.

'Maria, dives gratia,
0 sola quae casto potes
Fovere Jesum pectore,
Cum lacte donans oscula.

'Tuque ex vetustis patribus
Delecte custos Virginis,
Dulci patris quem nomine
Divina Proles invocat.

* De stirpe Jesse nobili
Nati in salutem gentium,
Audite nos qui supplices
Vestras ad aras sistimus.

' Dum sol redux ad vesperum
Rebus nitorem detrahit,
Nos hie manentes intimo
Ex corde vota fundimus.

0 HIGHEST Hope of mortals,
Blest Light of Saints above,
0 Jesu, on whose boyhood
Home smiled with kindly love;

And thou whose bosom nursed

Him,
O Mary, highly graced,
Whose breast gave milk to Jesus,
Whose arms thy God embraced;

And thou of all men chosen
To guard the Virgin's fame.
To whom God's Son refused not
A Father's gracious name;

Born for the nation's healing.
Of Jesse's lineage high.
Behold the suppliants kneeling,
O hear the sinners' cry!

The sun returned to evening.
Dusks all the twilight air:
We, lingering here before you.
Pour out our heartfelt prayer.

226

THE HOLY FAMILY

*Qua vestra sedes floruit Your home was as a garden

Virtutis omnis gratia, Made glad with fairest flowers;

Hanc detur in domesticis May life thus blossom sweetly

Referre posse moribus. In every home of ours.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Jesus, to Thee be glory.

Qui natus es de Virgine, The Maiden-Mother's Son,

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, With Father and with Spirit

In sempiterna saecula. While endless ages run.

Author t Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation from the Marquess of Bute's Ro-
man Breviary. There are three translations. Liturgicali
Use : Hymn for Vespers on the Feast of the Holy Family.

1. ''0 blessed Light of the Saints, and supreme hope of
mortals, 0 Jesus, upon whose birth domestic affection
smiled;" Cui . . . orto.

2. **0 Mary, rich in grace, thou alone wast able to nour-
ish Jesus at thy chaste breast, giving Him kisses with thy
milk;"

3. ** And thou, of the ancient fathers, the chosen guardian
of the Virgin, whom the Divine Child did call by the sweet
name of Father,"

4. **Both having sprung from the noble root of Jesse,
for the salvation of mankind, hearken to us, your sup-
pliants, who stand at your altars." De stirpe Jesse: Et
egredietur virga de radice Jesse, et flos de radice ejus
ascendet (Is. 11, 1). Jesse was the father of David. Both
Mary and Joseph were of the house of David.

5. "When the sun declining towards evening takes away
from things their beauty, we remaining here pour forth
our prayers from the bottom of our hearts." Hie, viz., in
the church.

6. ''The grace of every virtue with which your home
abounded, vouchsafe that we too may be able to reproduce
the same in our home lives." Constr. : Ut detur, nos hanc
gratiam referre posse in moribus nostris domesticis.

227

PROPER OF SAINTS
Sacra jam splendent

SACRA jam splendent decorata
lychnis
Templa, jam sertis redimitur ara
Et pio fumant redolentque
acerrae

Thuris honore.

A THOUSAND lights their glory
shed
On shrines and altars garlanded;
While swinging censers dusk the
air
With perfumed prayer.

^Num juvet Summo Geniti

Parente
Regies ortus celebrare cantu?
Num domus David, decora et
vetustse

Nomina gentis?

^ Gratius nobis memorare parvum
Nazarae tectum, tenuemque cul-

tum,
Gratius Jesu tacitam referre
Carmine vitam.

*Nili ab extremis peregrinus oris
Angeli ductu, propere remigrat
Multa perpessus Puer et paterno
Limine sospes,

^Arte, qua Joseph, humili ex-

colendus
Abdito Jesus juvenescit sevo,
Seque fabrilis socium laboris
Adjicit ultro.

•Irriget sudor mea membra,
dixit.

And shall we sing the ancestry
Of Jesus, Son of God most High?
Or the heroic names retrace
Of David's race?

Sweeter is lowly Nazareth,
Where Jesus drew His childish

breath —
Sweeter the singing that endears
His hidden years.

An Angel leads the pilgrim band
From Egypt to their native land,
Where Jesus clings to Joseph's
arm.
Secure from harm.

"And the Child grew in wisdom's

ken
And years and grace with God and

men;"
And in His father's humble art
Took share and part.

"With toil," saith He, "my limbs
are wet.

Antequam sparse madeant cru- Prefiguring the Bloody Sweat:"

ore:
Haec quoque humane generi
expiando

Poena luatur.

^Assidet Nato pia Mater almo,
Assidet Sponso bona nupta;

felix
Si potest curas relevare fessis
Munere amico.

Ah! how He bears our chastise-
ment
With sweet content!

At Joseph's bench, at Jesus' side.
The Mother sits, the Virgin-Bride;
Happy, if she may cheer their
hearts
With loving arts.

228

THE HOLY FAMILY

*0 neque expertes, operae et 0 Blessed Three! who felt the

laboris, sting

Nee mali ignari, miseros juvate, Of want and toil and suffering,

Quos reluctantes per acuta Pity the needy and obscure
rerum Lot of the poor.

Urget egestas.

* Demite his fastus, quibus ampla Banish the "pride of life" from

splendet all

Faustitas, mentera date rebus Whom ampler wealth and joys

aequam: befall:

Quotquot implorant columen, Be every heart with love repaid
benigno That seeks your aid.

Cernite vultu.

^" Sit tibi, Jesu, decus atque virtus, Glory to Thee, 0 Jesu dear,

Sancta qui vitae documenta Model of holy living here!

praebes, Who reign'st, with Sire and Holy
Quique cum summo Genitore et Ghost,

almo Q'er heaven's host.

Flamine regnas.

Author: Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). Meter: Sapphic
and Adonic. Translation by Monsignor Henry. There
are two translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins
on the Feast of the Holy Family.

1. ^'The sacred temples are already resplendent with
lamps; the altar is wreathed round with garlands, and in
loving honor vessels of incense smoke and emit a pleasant
odor." Acerra, an incense-box, a censer.

2. ''Would it not be pleasing to celebrate in song the
royal birth of the Son from the sovereign Father ? And to
sing of the house of David and of the illustrious names of
that ancient family?" Ortus, pi., both the temporal and the
eternal birth of the Son.

3. "To us it is more agreeable to call to mind the little
house at Nazareth, and the simple mode of life therein;
more agreeable to relate in song the hidden life of Jesus. ' '

4. ** As a wanderer, under the guidance of an Angel, suf-
fering much, the Child quickly returns from the distant
banks of the Nile and is safe in His father's house."
Paterno refers to St. Joseph, His foster-father.

5. ''Jesus grows up in His hidden life, working faithfully

229

PROPER OF SAINTS

at the same humble profession as St. Joseph; and of His
own accord He devotes Himself to the profession of car-
pentering. ' '

6. **May perspiration moisten My limbs," He said, '^be-
fore they become wet with My Blood poured forth; this
toil must also be suffered in expiating the sins of the human
race." Poenam luere, to suffer, undergo punishment.

7. **The loving Mother sits beside her beloved Son; the
good bride, beside her spouse, happy if she can lighten the
labors of the weary with affectionate attention."

8. *'0 ye who have endured pains and toil, who were not
unacquainted with misfortune, help the poor whom dire
poverty oppresses in their struggle against necessitous
conditions." This and the following stanza call to mind
Pope Leo's great Encyclical Rerum. novarum which treats
of the relations between capital and labor (1891).

9. '* Banish from men pride, with which ample wealth
bedecks itself ; grant us equanimity in the affairs of life :
behold with a benign countenance all who invoke the Most
High." Columen, lit, a height; heaven.

10. ''Praise be to Thee, 0 Jesus, who givest the holy
precepts of life, who reignest with the sovereign Father
and the Holy Spirit.

O gente felix hospita

OGENTE felix hospita
Augusta sedes Nazarae,
Quae fovit alma Ecclesiae
Et protulit primordia.

0 HOUSE of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at Thy

breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.

^Sol, qui pererrat aureo
Terras jacentes lumine.
Nil gratius per saecula
Hac vidit sede, aut sanctius.

In all the spreading lands of earth
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!

*Ad hanc frequentes convolant
Ccelestis aulae nuntii,
Virtutis hoc sacrarium
Visunt, revisunt, excolunt.

We know thy humble tenement
Was heaven's hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.

230

THE HOLY FAMILY

*Qua mente Jesus, qua manu,
Optata patris perficit!
Quo Virgo gestit gaudio
Materna obire raunera!

^Adest amoris particeps
Curaeque Joseph conjugi,
Quos mille jungit nexibus
Virtutis auctor gratia.

•Hi diligentes invicem
In Jesu amorem confluunt,
Utrique Jesus mutuae
Dat caritatis prsemia.

^Sic fiat, ut nos caritas
Jungat perenni fcedere,
Pacemque alens domesticam
Amara vitae temperet!

*Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

There, whatsoever Joseph asks

Christ hastens to fulfill;

While Mary loves the household

tasks
That wait her joyous will.

There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share.
With thousand ties knit to his

bride.
Of love and work and prayer.

Yet how their bosoms constant

burn
And deeper ardors prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes

return
Tokens of mutual love.

O then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.

0 Jesu, born of Virgin bright,
All glory be to Thee,
With Father and with Paraclete,
Through all eternity.

Author: Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Monsignor Henry. There are
three translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on
the Feast of the Holy Family.

1. "0 thou, in thy occupants (gente) most blessed, hos-
pitable, august abode of Nazareth, which fostered and nour-
ished the holy beginnings of the Church." Gente, the Holy
Family.

2. ''The sun, which with its golden light courses over the
nations lying far below, hath through the ages seen nothing
more pleasing than this house, nothing more holy.'*

3. **To it in great numbers fly the messengers of the
heavenly court ; they visit, revisit, and honor this sanctuary
of virtue. ' '

4. ''With what a heart and hand doth Jesus fulfill the

231

PROPER OF SAINTS

wishes of His foster-father! With what joy doth the Vir-
gin strive to perform her maternal duties!" Mente, good
will. Manu, diligence.

5. * * Sharing in her love and solicitude, St. Joseph stands
ever beside his spouse; the very source of virtue gra-
ciously unites both with a thousand ties. Gratia, in a most
loving manner.

6. ** Loving each other, they unite in their love for Jesus;
and Jesus gives to both the rewards of mutual love."

7. "So may it happen that charity may unite us in an
everlasting covenant; and fostering domestic peace may it
alleviate the bitter things of life."

APPARITION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY IMMACULATE

Feb. 11

Te dicimus prceconio

TE dicimus praeconio,
Intacta Mater Numinis,
Nostris benigna laudibus
Tuam repende gratiam.

'^Sontes Adami posteri
Infecta proles gignimur;
Labis paternae nescia
Tu sola, Virgo, crederis.

^ Caput draconis invidi
Tu conteris vestigio,
Et sola gloriam refers
Intaminatse originis.

*0 gentis humanae decus
Quae tollis Hevae opprobrium,
Tu nos tuere supplices,
Tu nos labantes erige.

0 VIRGIN Mother of our God,
While we thy matchless
glories chant,
Do thou, in answer to our praise.
To us abundant graces grant.

We Adam's guilty children are,
A sin-infected progeny.
Thou art, 0 Virgin, we believe.
Alone from his infection free.

The envious dragon's cruel head
Thou with thy heel dost trample

down.
And of a stainless origin
Thou only dost the glory own.

0 Flower of the human race.
Who takest Eve's reproach away,
Protect us when we cry to thee,
Our tottering footsteps deign to
stay.

232

APPARITION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

^Serpentis antiqui potens From the old serpent's wiles and

Astus retunde et impetus, force,

Ut ccelitura perennibus Thy clients mightily defend.

Per te fruamur gaudiis. That, through thy mercy, they may

win
Those heavenly joys which neve*
end.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria Jesus, to Thee be glory given,

Qui natus es de Virgine, Whom erst the Virgin-Mother bore,

Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu With Father and with Holy Ghost,

In sempiterna saecula. Through endless ages evermore.

Author: Unknown. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Trans-
lation by Archbishop Bagshawe ; there are no other trans-
lations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Matins on the Feast of
the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate at Lourdes.

This Feast was authorized by Pope Leo XIII, and was
extended to the entire Church by Pope Pius X, in 1907.
The OflQce with its three proper hymns appeared only re-
cently in the Breviary.

The hymns are translated by Archbishop Bagshawe, in
his Breviary Hymns and Missal Sequences. With the ex-
ception of the hymn for Matins they are also translated by
the Benedictines of Stanbrook, in their The Day Hours of
the Church.

To understand many allusions in these hymns, the article
on Lourdes, in the Cath. Encycl. should be consulted. This
is especially true of the hymn Omnis expertem.

1. **We praise thee with jubilation, O stainless Mother of
God; for our praises, graciously bestow upon us thy
favor. ' '

2. "We guilty descendants of Adam are brought forth
a sin-infected people ; thou alone, 0 Virgin, we believe art
free from our first father's infection." Crederis, passive,
thou art believed. The dogma of the Immaculate Concep-
tion was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, Dec. 8, 1854. Read
the article on Immaculate Conception, in the Cath. Encycl.

3. ' * Thou dost crush with thy heel the head of the envious
dragon, and dost alone preserve the glory of a stainless
origin." Vestigio: lit., a footprint; that part of the foot
which makes a print — the sole. It is here used in the sense

233

PROPER OF SAINTS

of calcaneum, the heel. Ipsa conteret caput tuum, et tu in-
sidiaberis calcaneo ejus (Gen. 3, 15).

4. "0 thou, the glory of the human race, who takest
away the reproach of Eve, protect thy suppliants, and en-
courage us who waver."

5. **Do thou mightily frustrate the cunning and the as-
saults of the old serpent, and through thee may we enjoy
the everlasting joys of heaven."

Aurora soli prcevia

AURORA soli praevia
Felix salutis nuntia,
In noctis umbra plebs tua
Te, Virgo, supplex invocat.

^Torrens nefastis fluctibus
Cunctos trahens voragine,
Leni residit aequore
Cum transit Area foederis.

OROSY dawn! that dost pro-
claim
Salvation's happy day,
To thee, 0 Virgin, 'mid night's

shades,
Thy people humbly pray.

The torrent, that engulfs all those
Within its whirlpool drawn,
Rests calm as o'er its softened

wave
The ark of God is borne.

^Dum torret arescens humus,
Tu rore sola spargeris;
Tellure circimi rorida,
Intacta sola permanes.

While earth is parched with

scorching heat.
Alone thou art bedewed;
With dew o'erspread the earth

around.
And thou untouched art viewed.

*Fatale virus evomens
Attollit anguis verticem;
At tu draconis turgidum
Invicta conteris caput.

"Mater benigna, respice
Fletus precesque supplicum,
Et dimicantes tartari
Victrix tuere ab hostibus.

^Jesu, tibi sit gloria.
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

The serpent rears his head aloft
Disgorging poisoned spleen;
But thou his proud, inflated head
Dost crush with power as Queen.

0 loving Mother, hear our prayer,
As suppliant we cry;
Protect us in our strife with hell
Who dost its power defy.

0 Jesu, born of Virgin bright.
All glory be to Thee,
With Father and with Paraclete,
Through all eternity.

234

APPARITION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Author: Unknown. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Trans-
lation by the Benedictines of Stanbrook. There are two
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds. See the
note on the preceding hymn.

1. "0 dawn that goeth before the sun, joyous herald
of our salvation, thy people, 0 Virgin, suppliantly invoke
thee amid the shades of night." Mary was the dawn that
preceded the rising Sun of Justice.

2. ''The torrent with its inauspicious waves which draws
all men into the whirlpool, subsides into a placid sea while
the Ark of the Covenant is passing." Area foederis, Ark of
the Covenant (Litany) ; for an explanation of this title of
our Blessed Lady, see the last paragraph of the article on
Ark, in the Cath. Encycl. The Ark of the Covenant was the
most sacred object the Israelites possessed, and it was the
material symbol of the Divine presence (cf. Exod. 25, 10-22;
Josue 3-4).

3. "When the dry earth is parched, thou alone art be-
sprinkled with dew; when the earth on every side is wet
with dew, thou alone dost remain untouched" (cf. Judges
6, 37).

4. "The serpent vomiting forth his fatal poison lifts
his head, but thou unconquered (Maid) dost crush the
swollen head of the dragon." (Cf. Gen. 3, 4-15).

5. "0 loving Mother, behold the tears and prayers of
thy suppliants, and victoriously defend those in battle with
the hosts of hell."

100 Omnis expertem

OMNIS expertem maculae T 0! Mary is exempt from stain
Mariam •*-' of sin,

Edocet summus fidei magister; Proclaims the Pontiff high;
Virginis gaudens celebrat fidelis And earth applauding celebrates
Terra triumphum. with joy

Her triumph, far and high.

^ Ipsa se praebens humili puellae Unto a lowly timid maid she
Virgo spectandam, recreat paven- shows

tem, Her form in beauty fair,

235

PROPER OF SAINTS

Seque conceptam sine labe sancto
Praedicat ore.

^0 specus felix, decorate divae
Matris aspectu! veneranda rupes,
Unde vitales scatuere pleno
Gurgite lymphae.

* Hue catervatira pia turba nostris,

Hue ab externis peregrina terris

Affluit supplex, et opem potentis

Virginis orat.

" Excipit Mater
cantum,

lacrimas pre-

Donat optatam miseris salutem;
Compos hinc voti patrias ad oras
Turba revertit.

' Supplicum, Virgo, miserata
casus,
Semper o nostros refove labores,
Impetrans moestis bona sem-
piternae

Gaudia vitae.

^Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi compar utriusque virtus
Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni
Temporis aevo.

And the Immaculate Conception
truth
Her sacred lips declare.

0 honored cave, by Mary's smile

adorned !
0 hallowed rock, whence spring
The living waters of a gushing

stream,
The gifts of life to bring.

And thither from the farmost

bounds of earth
The pilgrims wend their way,
And suppliant around the Virgin's

shrine
Her powerful help they pray.

The sufferers' cry the Mother

fondly hears,
And grants the longed-for grace;
And health restored, the pilgrim

throng returns
Unto its native place.

0 Virgin ! have compassion on our

needs,
Refresh us laboring on;
Obtain for us the joys of heavenly

life,
When sorrow all is gone.

All praise and honor to the Father

be.
And to His only Son,
And to the Spirit, power of both,

for aye,
In Godhead ever One.

Author : Unknown. Meter : Sapphic and Adonic. Trans-
lation by the Benedictines of Stanbrook. There are two
translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for II Vespers on the
Feast of the B.V.M. Immaculate. The hymn for I Ves-
pers is the Ave maris stella. See the note on hymn 98.

1. ''The supreme teacher of faith solemnly affirms that
Mary is free from all stain; the faithful every^vhere re-

236

THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS

joicing celebrate the triumph of the Virgin." Summus
magister: Pope Pius IX, who proclaimed the dogma of
the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 1854.

2. ''The Virgin revealing herself in all comeliness to an
humble maid reassures the trembling girl, and with sacred
lips declares herself to have been conceived without sin."
The lowly maid to whom the Blessed Virgin appeared on
eighteen different occasions was a fourteen-year-old girl,
Bernadette Soubiroux. On one occasion she revealed her
identity saying: *'I am the Immaculate Conception."

3. "0 fortunate grotto, honored by the apparition of
the Blessed Mother ! 0 hallowed rock, whence living waters
in full stream gush forth ! ' ' The reference is to the mys-
terious spring from which flows the wonder-working water
of Lourdes.

4. ''Hither in troops do pious pilgrims come from our
own country; hither from the foreign lands suppliant pil-
grims come, and implore the aid of the powerful Virgin."
Hue: hither, to Lourdes in France. Nearly five million pil-
grims, in 5,297 pilgrimages visited Lourdes from 1867 to
1908.

5. * ' The Mother receives the tears of the petitioners and
grants to the afflicted the desired health; having obtained
their wish the pilgrims return to their own countries."
Precantum for precantium.

6. "0 Virgin, thou who dost compassionate the misfor-
tunes of thy suppliants, ever alleviate our sufferings and
obtain for the afflicted the blessed joys of eternal life."

THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS

Feb. 12

101 Bella dum late

BELLA dum late furerent, et "WTHEN war was raging, and the
urbes ^ town

Caede fraterna gemerent cruentae, Was red with blood of brother
Adfuit Virgo, nova semper edens bands,

Munera matris. Our Virgin-Mother bowed her

down
With bounteous hands.
237

PROPER OF SAINTS

'En vocat septem famulos, fideles Seven faithful sons she bid to
Ut sibi in luctu recolant dolores, share

Quos tulit Jesus, tulit ipsa Her Dolours, all the shame and
consors loss

Sub cruce Nati. Which Jesus suffered, and she bare

Beneath His Cross.

'Illico parent Dominae vocanti:
Splendidis tectis opibusque

spretis,
Urbe secedunt procul in Senari
Abdita montis.

* Corpora hie poenis cruciant
acerbis,
Sontium labes hominum piantes:
Hie prece avertunt lacrymisque
fusis

Numinis iram.

So when their Lady called, as

naught
They deemed their palaces and

wealth,
The mountain's desert places

sought
Far off by stealth.

For others' sins the scourge they

plied,
As they the way of penance trod;
By prayers and tears they turned

aside
The wrath of God.

'Perdolens Mater fovet, atque

amictum
Ipsa lugubrem monet induendum :
Agminis sancti pia ccepta
surgunt,

Mira patescunt.

•Palmes in bruma viridans
honores
Nuntiat patrum: proprios Mariae
Ore lactenti vocitant puelli
Nomine Servos.

^Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi, compar utriusque virtus
Spiritus semper, Deus unus,
omni

Temporis aevo.

Token of love, the Mother's hand
Gave to her sons their garb of

woe;
Sanctioned the pious work they

planned.

With wondrous show.

The vine, to spread their honors

wide.
Her sprouts in winter greenly

flung,
*'See, those are Mary's servants,"

cried
The infant tongue.

Now to the Father thanks and

praise;
To Thee, 0 Son, the same we send;
To Thee, great Spirit, through all

days

World without end.

Author: Vincent Tarozzi, 19th cent. Meter; Sapphic
and Adonic. Translation anon, in the Servile Manual

238

THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS

(1892). Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins. With the ex-
ception of the hymn Matris sub ahnce numine, the five
hymns formerly in use on the Feast of the Seven Founders
have been omitted from the latest editions of the Breviary.
The five hymns were translated by Archbishop Bagshawe
and Father Wallace, O.S.B. Julian's Dictionary of Hym-
nology mentions no translations of the hymns in honor of
the Seven Holy Founders. Read the article on Servites,
Order of, in the Cath. Encycl.

1. ''While wars were raging and blood-stained cities
groaned with fratricidal carnage, the Virgin appeared
ever manifesting the new gifts of a mother." Bella: The
bloody feuds and dissensions among the Italian cities from
the 11th to the 13th century are familiar to the student of
history. St. Alexis, the last of the Seven Founders, died
in 1310.

2. ''Behold, in her grief, she calls unto herself seven
faithful servants that they might recall to mind the suffer-
ings which Jesus endured, and which she, the sharer of His
sufferings, endured beneath the Cross of her Son." The
object of the Servite Order is to preach everywhere com-
passion for the sufferings of Jesus crucified and of Mary
desolate, as well as hatred for sin, the accursed cause of
them both (cf. Servite Manual, p. xiv).

3. "Without hesitation they obey their Lady's call:
spurning their stately palaces and wealth, they with-
draw afar from the city into the hidden recesses of Mount
Senario." The Blessed Virgin first appeared to the Seven
Holy Founders in 1233. She exhorted them to leave the
world and dedicate themselves, under her auspices, to the
service of God. This they did without delay.

4. "Here they afflict their bodies with dire punishments,
atoning for the sins of guilty men: here by their prayers
and by their abundant tears they avert the anger of God. ' '

5. "The Mother greatly encourages them and tells them
that they should wear a garb indicative of mourning; the
pious undertakings of the holy company prosper; won-
drous things become manifest." Mira, miracles.

6. "A young vine becoming green in winter proclaims
the glory of the Fathers : children unweaned proclaim them

239

PROPER OF SAINTS

by name to be Mary's own Servants." The miracle of the
vine occurred in March while the mountain was still covered
with hoar frost. The vine which had been planted the
preceding year, grew miraculously in a single night, and
was covered at once with foliage, flowers, and fruit — a
symbol of the speedy increase of their little community as
was revealed to the bishop of Florence, Puelli: On two
different occasions infants cried out in the street; ''Be-
hold the servants of Mary."

102 Sic patres vitam

SIC patres vitam peragunt in T^HE fathers lived a life in
umbra, -^ shade,

Lilia ut septem nivei decoris. Yet seemed to Peter's vision seven

Virgini excelsse bene grata, Petro White glistening lilies for the
Visa nitere. Maid,

The Queen of heaven.

^ Jamque divina rapiente flamma. Through city streets, o'er hills and
Cursitant urbes, loca quaeque plains,

oberrant, Upborne by love divine, they trod.

Si queant cunctis animis dolores To fix in men the Mother's pains,
Figere Matris. The swords of God.

^Hinc valent iras domuisse caecas. This was the power in which they
Nescia et pacis fera corda spoke,

jungunt. Till each wild passion owned their
Erigunt moestos, revocant no- sway:

centes They cheered the sad, from sinners
Dicta piorum. broke

Their chains away.

*At suos Virgo comitata servos Till at last the Virgin Queen
Evehit tandem superas ad oras: Led them to mansions in the sky,
Gemmeis sertis decorat per aevum Mansions where garlands aye are
Omne beatos. green.

And never die.

''Eja nunc coetus gemitum pre- May they hear cries of all who
cantis pray,

Audiant, duros videant labores: And see how hard our earthly
Semper et nostris f aveant benigno strife :

Lumine votis. Aiding us onward to the day

When all is life.

240

THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS

*Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli, Now to the Father thanks and
Et tibi, compar utriusque Virtus praise;

Spiritus semper, Deus unus omni To Thee, 0 Son, the same we
Temporis aevo. send;

To Thee, great Spirit, through all
days.
World without end.

Author: Vincent Tarozzi, 19th cent. Meter: Sapphic
and Adonic. Translation by Charles Kegan Paul. Litur-
gical Use : Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of the Seven Holy
Founders.

L **The Fathers spent their lives in obscurity, — yet
as seven lilies of snow-white beauty they seemed to Peter
to shine — well pleasing to the Virgin high exalted." Petro:
St. Peter of Verona saw in a vision a mountain covered
with flowers, among which were seven lilies, dazzling white,
of exquisite perfume. Mary herself explained the vision —
the flowers were the Religious on Mount Senario, the seven
lilies were the Seven Founders.

2. *'And now divine charity impelling them, they tra-
verse cities and wander everywhere, if perchance they
might be able to fix the Sorrows of the Mother in the souls
of all."

3. **By this means they are able to restrain blind pas-
sions; they unite (in the bonds of love) fierce hearts igno-
rant of peace; the words of the pious preachers raise up
the dejected and recall sinners."

4. ''At last the Virgin leading forth her servants ac-
companies them to the heavenly regions, and with jeweled
garlands she adorns her servants forever blessed."

5. **0 may they now hear the sighs of those assembled
in prayer ; may they behold their difficult labors ; and may
they with loving inspirations be favorable to our prayers. ' '

103 Matris sub almcs

MATRIS sub almae numine \^ Mary's inspiration led,
Septena proles nascitur: ■*-' A sevenfold offspring comes

Ipsa vocante, ad arduum to light;

Tendit Senari verticem. At Mary's call away they sped

To Mount Senario's rugged height.

241

PROPER OF SAINTS

'Quos terra fructus proferet
Dum sacra proles germinat,
Uvis repente turgitis
Onusta vitis praemonet.

'Virtute claros nobili
Mors sancta ccelo consecrat:
Tenent olympi limina
Servi fideles Virginis.

* Cohors beata Numinis
Regno potita respice
Quos hinc recedens fraudibus
Cinctos relinquis hostium.

'Ergo, per almse vulnera
Matris rogamus supplices,
Mentis tenebras disjice,
Cordis procellas comprime.

What fruits of grace the earth

shall bear
When they have sown their seeds

divine!
Christ's vine shall bud with

clusters rare,
Empurpled with the ruddy wine.

A holy death to heaven speeds
The souls with virtue's glory

crowned ;
When Mary for her servants

pleads,
Heaven's blessed portals they have

found.

O happy souls who now obtain
The Kingdom, and the scepter

bear!
Look down on us who still remain
Where Satan spreads his subtle

snare.

Therefore on bended knee we pray.
For sake of Mary's bitter grief;
Chase darkness from our mind

And

away,
give our
relief.

troubled hearts

• Tu nos, beata Trinitas,
Perfunde sancto robore,
Possimus ut feliciter
Exempla patrum subsequi.

And Thou, 0 Trinity Divine!
Confirm us in Thy holy grace!
That so we may our hearts incline
To walk in these Thy servants'
ways.

Author: Vincent Tarozzi, 19th cent. Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Wallace, O.S.B. Litur-
GiOAii Use : Hymn for II Vespers on the Feast of the Seven
Holy Founders.

1. *' Under the fostering care of the Blessed Mother, a
sevenfold progeny comes into being: she calls them, and
they direct their steps to the lofty summit of Mount Se-
nario." Proles is the subject of nascitur and tendit.

2. * * The vine suddenly laden with bursting clusters f ore-

242

ST. JOSEPH

shadows what rich fruits the earth shall produce when this
sacred progeny expands. ' ' The miraculous vine is referred
to in Hymn 101.

3. *'A holy death doth consecrate to God those rendered
illustrious by great virtue: the faithful servants of the
Virgin possess mansions in heaven. ' '

4. "0 blessed band who have obtained possession of the
Kingdom of God; departing hence, look down on those
whom you leave behind, surrounded by the snares of
enemies."

5. ' ' Suppliantly, therefore, we ask through the wounds
of a loving Mother, — dispel the darkness of our minds, and
restrain the passions of our souls. ' '

6. ''Mayest Thou, 0 Holy Trinity, fill us with Thy
strength, that happily we may be able to follow the example
of the Fathers."

ST. JOSEPH

Mae. 19
104 Te, Joseph, celebrent

T^E, Joseph, celebrent agmina T ET Angels chant thy praise,

-'- ccelitum, -*-^ pure spouse of purest

Te cuncti resonent christiadum Bride,

chori, While Christendom's sweet choirs

Qui clarus meritis, junctus es the gladsome strains repeat,

inclytae To tell thy wondrous fame, to

Casto foedere Virgini. raise the pealing hymn,

Wherewith we all thy glory greet.

^Almo cum tumidam germine When doubts and bitter fears thy
conjugem heavy heart oppressed,

Admirans, dubio tangeris anxius, And filled thy righteous soul with
Aflflatu superi Flaminis Angelus sorrow and dismay,

Conceptum puerum docet. An Angel quickly came, the

wondrous secret told,
And drove thy anxious griefs
away.

243

PROPER OF SAINTS

^Tu natum Dominum stringis, ad

exteras
i^gypti profugum tu sequeris

plagas;
Amissum Solyrais quseris, et

invenis,
Miscens gaudia fletibus.

*Post mortem reliquos mors pia

consecrat,
Palmamque emeritos gloria sus-

cipit :
Tu vivens, Superis par, frueris

Deo,
Mira sorte beatior.

Thy arms thy new-born Lord, with

tender joy embrace;
Him then to Egypt's Land thy

watchful care doth bring;
Him in the Temple's courts once

lost thou dost regain,
And 'mid thy tears dost greet thy

King.

Not till death's pangs are o'er do
others gain their crown,

But, Joseph, unto thee the blessed
lot was given

While life did yet endure, thy
God to see and know,

As do the Saints above in heaven.

* Nobis, summa Trias, parce pre- Grant us, great Trinity, for

cantibus, Joseph's holy sake.

Da Joseph meritis sidera scan- In highest bliss and love, above

dere: the stars to reign,

Ut tandem liceat nos tibi per- That we in joy with him may

petim praise our loving God,

Gratum promere canticum. And sing our glad eternal strain.

Author: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Asclepiadic and
Glyconic. Translation by Father Potter. There are seven
translations. Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn on the Feast
of St. Joseph. Of the three hymns given here for the Feast
of St. Joseph, the first two are used also in the office of the
Solemnity of St. Joseph, which is celebrated on the "Wed-
nesday before the third Sunday after Easter.

1. *'May the hosts of heavenly spirits praise thee, 0
Joseph; may all the choirs of Christendom resound with
thy name, thou w^ho, renowned for merits, wast united in
chaste wedlock to the glorious Virgin."

2. ''When thou didst wonder at thy bride grown great
with her august Child, sorely wert thou afflicted with doubt ;
but an Angel taught thee that the Child was conceived by
abreathof the Holy Spirit." (Cf. Matt. 1, 18-21). Flam-
inis: flcmien, from flo 1, to blow, just as spiritus is from
spiro, to blow.

3. ''Thou dost embrace the new-born Lord, and dost fol-
low Him, a fugitive, to remote parts of Egypt: lost in

244

ST. JOSEPH

Jerusalem, thou dost seek and find Him, thus mingling
joys with tears." Solt/^nce, arum = Hierosolyma, orum,
Jerusalem. (Cf. Luke 2, 48).

4. "A pious death doth make other men happy after
death, and glory awaiteth those who have merited a palm:
but thou still living, in a wonderous manner more fortu-
nate, dost, like the Blessed, enjoy thy God." Emeritos, the
p. part, of the deponent emereor.

b. "0 sovereign Trinity, have mercy on us Thy sup-
pliants ; grant that by the merits of St. Joseph we may enter
heaven, and that finally we may be permitted to sing unto
Thee forever a sweet canticle."

105 Ccelitum Joseph decus

CCELITUM Joseph decus, atque JOSEPH, the praise and glory

nostras J of the heavens,

Certa spes vitse, columenque Sure pledge of life, and safety of

mundi, the wide world,

Quas tibi laeti canimus, benignus As in our joy we sing to thee, in

Suscipe laudes. kindness

List to our praises.

^Te Sator rerum statuit pudicae Thou by the world's Creator wert

Virginis sponsum, voluitque appointed

Verbi Spouse of the Virgin: thee He

Te patrem dici, dedit et minis- willed to honor

trum Naming thee Father of the Word,

Esse salutis. and guardian

Of our salvation.

"Tu Redemptorem stabulo jacen- Thou thy Redeemer, lying in a

tem, stable,

Quem chorus Vatum cecinit Whom long ago foretold the choir

futurum, of prophets,

Aspicis gaudens, humilisque na- Sawest rejoicing, and thy God

tum adoredst

Numen adoras. Humble in childhood.

*Rex Deus regum, Dominator God, King of Kings, and Governor

orbis, of the ages,

Cujus ad nutum tremit in- He at whose word the powers of

ferorum hell do tremble,

245

PROPER OF SAINTS

Turba, cui pronus famulatur He whom the adoring heavens ever
aether, worship

Se tibi subdit. Called thee protector.

'Laus sit excelsae Triadi perennis. Praise to the Triune Godhead
Quae tibi praebens superos hon- everlasting,

ores, Who with such honor mightily

Det tuis nobis meritis beatae hath blest thee;

Gaudia vitae. O may He grant us at thy blest

petition
Joys everlasting.

Authok: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Sapphic and
Adonic. Translation by Alan G. McDougall. There are
six translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on
the Feast of St. Joseph.

1. "Thou art, 0 Joseph, the glory of the Blessed, the
sure hope of our life, and the pillar of the world : graciously
accept the praises we now joyfully sing to thee."

2. ''The Creator of the world appointed thee the spouse
of the most pure Virgin, and He willed that thou be called
the father of the Word; and He made thee a minister of
salvation." Ministrum, instrument.

3. ''Rejoicing thou didst behold the Redeemer lying in
the stable. Him whose advent the choir of prophets had
foretold; and thou didst humbly adore the new-born God."

4. "God, the King of kings, and the Ruler of the world,
at whose nod the hosts of hell tremble, whom the heavens
prostrate serve, makes Himself subject to thee." Se suh-
dit: Et erat subditus illis (Luke 2, 51).

5. "Never-ending praise be to the most high Trinity who
didst bestow upon thee heavenly honors, and may the same
grant us, through thy merits, the joys of a blessed life/*

106 Iste, quern Iceti

ISTE, quem laeti colimus fideles, "WTORSHIPPED throughout the
Cujus excelsos canimus trium- »^ Church to earth's far ends
phos, With prayer and solemn rite,

Hac die Joseph meruit perennis Joseph this day triumphantly
Gaudia vitae. ascends

Into the realms of light.

246

ST. JOSEPH

*0 nimis felix, nimis o beatus,
Cujus extremam vigiles ad horam
Christus et Virgo simul astiterunt
Ore sereno.

' Hinc stygis victor, laqueo solutus

Carnis, ad sedes placido sopore

Migrat seternas, rutilisque cingit

Temp or a sertis.

*Ergo regnantem flagitemus om-
nes,
Adsit ut nobis, veniamque nostris
Obtinens culpis, tribuat supernae
Munera pacis.

"Sint tibi plausus, tibi sint
honores,
Trine, qui regnas, Deus, et

coronas
Aureas servo tribuis fideli
Omne per aevum.

0 blest beyond the lot of mortal

men!
O'er whose last dying sigh
Christ and the Virgin-Mother
watched serene,
Soothing his agony.

Loosed from his fleshly chain,

gently he fleets,
As in calm sleep, away;
And diademed with light, enters

the seats

Of everlasting day.

let

There throned in power,

his loving aid
With fervent prayers implore;
So may he gain us pardon in our

need.
And peace forevermore.

Glory and praise to Thee, blest

Trinity !
One only God and Lord,
Who to Thy faithful ones

failingly
Their aureoles dost award.

un-

Authoe: Unknown, 17tli cent. Metee: Sapphic and
Adonic. Teanslation by Father Caswall. There are five
translations. Lituegical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the
Feast of St. Joseph.

1. **He, whom we the faithful now joyfully honor, whose
glorious triumphs we sing, Joseph, hath this day obtained
the joys of eternal life. ' '

2. "0 thrice happy, and thrice blessed Saint, at whose
last hour, Christ and the Virgin keeping watch, assisted
with serene countenance."

3. ''Victorious over hell, and liberated from the bonds
of the flesh, he departs hence in a peaceful sleep to his eter-
nal home, and crowns his temples with shining garlands. ' '

4. "Now reigning above, let us all beseech him to help
us, obtaining for us pardon for our sins, and procuring for
us (by his intercession) the gifts of heavenly peace."

247

PROPER OF SAINTS

5. ''Glory and honor be to Thee, 0 God, Three in One,
who reignest and who dost bestow upon Thy faithful ser-
vants everlasting crowns of gold." Servo fideli, in a col-
lective sense — every faithful servant. Trine, see denus in
the Glossary.

107

ST. HERMENGILD

Apr. 13
Regali solio

REGALI solio fortis Iberise,
Herraenegilde jubar, gloria
Martyrum,
Christi quos amor almis
Coeli coetibus inserit.

■Ut

patiens, pollicitum
quo potius

perstas

Deo
Servans obsequiura!

tibi

Nil proponis, et arces
Cautus noxia, quae placent.

GLORY of Iberia's throne!
Joy of martyred Saints above!
Who the crown of life have won
Dying for their Saviour's love.

What intrepid faith was thine!
What unswerving constancy!
Bent to do the will divine
With exact fidelity.

Every rising motion checked
Which might lead thy heart astray,
How thou didst thy course direct
Whither virtue showed the way.

Honor, glory, majesty,
To the Father and the Son,
With the Holy Spirit be,
While eternal ages run.

'Ut motus cohibes, pabula qui
parant
Surgentis vitii, non dubios agens
Per vestigia gressus,
Quo veri via dirigit!

*Sit rerum Domino jugis honor

Patri,
Et Natiun celebrent ora precan-

tium,
Divinumque supremis
Flamen laudibus efferant.

Authob: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Lines
1, 2 of each stanza, Asclepiadic; line 4 is Glyconic; line 3
is the same as line 4 but catalectic. This and the following
hymn are the only hymns in the Breviary written in this
meter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are four
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and
Lauds. Read the article on St. Hermengild, in the Cath.

248

ST. HERMENGILD

Encycl. Note the spelling — Hermengild or Hermenegild.

1. ''Brave Hermengild, shining light for the throne of
Spain, the glory of the martyrs whom love for Christ hath
enrolled among the august choirs of heaven. ' ' St. Hermen-
gild was martyred in 585.

2. **How persistently didst thou persevere in the alle-
giance promised to God! Nothing was more dear to thee
than this, and thou didst cautiously avoid hurtful things
that please." Constr. : Nil potius tibi proponis quo =
quam illud, sc. obsequium. Noxia, earthly honors, etc.

3. ''How well thou didst restrain the passions which
furnish food for incipient vice, making no hesitating steps
along the path whither the way of truth directs ! ' '

4. "To the Father, the Lord of creation, be perpetual
honor; may the mouths of Thy suppliants praise the Son,
and let them glorify with sovereign praise the Holy Spirit. ' '

108

Nullis te genitor

NULLIS te genitor blanditiis
trahit,
Non vitae caperis divitis otio,
Gemmarumve nitore,
Regnandive cupidine.

^ Diris non acies te gladii minis,
Nee tenet perimens carnificis

furor :
Nam mansura caducis
Prsefers gaudia coelitum.

^Nunc nos e Superum protege

sedibus
Clemens, atque preces, dum cani-

mus tua
Quaesitam nece palmam,
Pronis auribus excipe.

*Sit rerum Domino jugis honor

Patri,
Et Natum celebrent ora precan-

tium,
Divinumque supremis
Flamen laudibus efFerant.

FROM the truth thy soul to
turn,
Pleads a father's voice in vain;
Naught to thee were jewelled

crown,
Earthly pleasure, earthly gain.

Angry threat and naked sword
Daunted not thy courage high;
Choosing glory with the Lord,
Rather than a present joy.

Now amidst the Saints in light,
Throned in bliss forevermore; —
Oh! from thy exalted height,
Hear the solemn prayer we pour.

Honor, glory, majesty.
To the Father and the Son,
With the Holy Spirit be,
While eternal ages run.

249

PROPER OF SAINTS

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Transla-
tion by Father Caswall. Liturgical Use; Hymn for
Matins on the Feast of St. Hermengild.

1. "By no blandishments could thy father seduce thee,
nor wert thou captivated by the leisure of a life of affluence,
nor by the sparkling of gems, nor by the desire of reign-
ing."

2. **The sharp edge of the sword, with dire threats, did
not terrify thee, nor did the destructive rage of the execu-
tioner; for thou didst prefer the abiding joys of the
Blessed to transitory ones."

3. ''Do thou now from the mansions of the Blessed
graciously protect us, and with willing ear receive our
prayers, while we celebrate in song the martyr's palm ob-
tained by thy death. ' '

ST. VENANTIUS

May 18

109

Martyr Dei Venantius

■V/TARTYR Dei Venantius,
■••'-^ Lux et decus Camertium,
Tortore victo et judice,
Lsetus triumphum concinit.

^Annis puer, post vincula,
Post carceres, post verbera,
Longa fame frementibus
Cibus datur leonibus.

'Sed ejus innocentiae
Parcit leonum immanitas,
Pedesque lambunt Martyris,
Irae famisque immemores.

VENANTIUS, hail! God's

'' Martyr bright,
Thy country's honor and her light;
Who didst with joy thy triumph

sing.
Thy judge and tortures conquer-
ing.

A child in years, he heeds no pain,
Nor dungeon damp, nor galling

chain ;
The tender youth for food is

thrown
To lions, mad with hunger grown.

O wondrous sight! the beasts of

prey
Their food reject, and turn away;
Then tamely lick the Martyr's feet,
A tribute to his virtue meet.

250

ST. VENANTIUS

* Verso deorsum vertice Then downwards hung, his mouth

Haurire fumum cogitur: exposed

Costas utrimque et viscera To clouds of smoke beneath

Succensa lampas ustulat. disposed,

Whilst with slow torches, burning

clear.
His naked breasts and sides they
sear.

^ Sit laus Patri, sit Filio, Praise to the Father, and the Son,

Tibique sancte Spiritus: And Holy Spirit, Three in One;

Da per preces Venantii Oh! grant that through this

Beata nobis gaudia. Martyr's prayer.

Your blissful joy we all may
share.

Author: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Potter. There are four transla-
tions. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers. St. Venantius
was martyred at the age of fifteen, in the year 250.

1. '^Venantius, the Martyr of God, the light and glory
of the people of Camarino, having triumphed over torturer
and judge, now joyfully blends his voice with the song of
triumph." Camertium, gen. pi. Camertes, ium, the in-
habitants of Camerino, which was known in ancient times
as Camers. Abp. Bagshawe renders this line: "Who
Latium light and glory brings." As a matter of fact
Camerino is not in Latium but in Umbria some ninety
miles northeast of Eome. Father Caswall's translation in
his Lyra Catholica is scarcely less happy: " Camertium 's
light, her joy and prize."

2. "A child in years, after chains and imprisonment and
stripes, he is given as food to lions raging from long
hunger. ' '

3. **But the ferocity of the lions spares his innocence,
and unmindful of their rage and hunger they lick the
Martyr's feet."

4. "With head hung downward he is forced to inhale
smoke, and a flaming torch scorches his ribs and his flesh
on either side. ' ' Viscera is used to signify the flesh lying
under the skin.

5. "Be praise to the Father, and the Son, and to Thee,

251

PROPER OF SAINTS

Holy Spirit : grant us through the prayers of Venantius the
blessed joys of heaven."

110

Athleta Christi nobilis

NOBLE champion of the Lord I
Armed against idolatry!
In thy fervent zeal for God
Death had naught of fear for thee.

Bound with thongs, thy youthful

form
Down the rugged steep they tear,
Jagged rock and rending thorn
All thy tender flesh lay bare.

Spent with toil, the savage crew.
Fainting, sinks with deadly thirst;
Thou the Cross dost sign; and lo!
From the rock the waters burst.

Saintly warrior-prince! who thus
Thy tormentors couldst forgive;
Pour the dew of grace on us.
Bid our fainting spirits live.

To Thee, 0 Father, with the Son

And Holy Spirit, glory be;

Oh, grant us through Thy Martyr's

prayer
The joys of immortality.

Authoe: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are three transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on the Feast of
St. Venantius.

1. ''The noble athlete of Christ abominates the idols of
the pagans, and smitten with the love of God he despises
the dangers that threaten his life."

2. ** Bound with rough thongs he is precipitated head-
long from a cliff; thorns lacerate his countenance, and his
body is torn by the sharp rocks."

3. "While the executioner's attendants drag along the
limbs of the Martyr, they become faint with thirst ; by the

252

ATHLETA Christi nobilis
Idola damnat Gentium,
Deique amore saucius
Vitae pericla despicit.

*Loris revinctus asperis,
E rupe praeceps volvitur:
Spineta vultum lancinant:
Per saxa corpus scinditur.

^Dum membra raptant Martyris,
Languent siti satellites:
Signo crucis Venantius
E rupe fontes elicit.

*Bellator o fortissime.
Qui perfidis tortoribus
E caute praebes poculum,
Nos rore gratiae irriga.

"Sit laus Patri, sit Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus:

Da per preces Venantii
Beata nobis gaudia.

ST. VENANTIUS

sign of the Cross Venantius causes water to issue forth
from a rock."

4. *'0 thou most brave warrior who dost offer to thy
torturers a drink brought forth from a rock, refresh us
with the dew of grace. ' '

111

Dum node pulsa lucifer

DUM nocte pulsa lucifer
Diem propinquam nuntiat,
Nobis refert Venantius
Lucis beatse munera.

^Nam criminum caliginem,
Stygisque noctem depulit,
Veroque cives lumine
Diviriitatis imbuit.

^Aquis sacri baptismatis
Lustravit ille patriam:
Quos tinxit unda milites,
In astra misit Martyres.

*Nunc Angelorum particeps,
Adesto votis supplicum:
Procul repelle crimina,
Tuumque lumen ingere.

'Sit laus Patri, sit Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus:
Da per pieces Venantii
Beata nobis gaudia.

^pHE golden star of morn
-■■ Is climbing in the sky;
The birthday of Venantius
Awakes the Church to joy.

His native land in depths

Of pagan darkness lay;

He o'er her guilty regions poured

The light of heavenly day.

Her in baptismal streams

Of grace he purified;

E'en those who came to take his

life,
With him as Martyrs died.

With the Angels now he shares
Those joys which never cease;
Look down on us, 0 Spirit blest,
And send us gifts of peace.

Praise to the Father, Son,

And, Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Oh, grant us through Thy Martyr's

prayer
A blest eternity.

Author: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are three transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of
St. Venantius.

1. ''When (the darkness having been dispelled) the
morning star heralds in the approaching day, Venantius
brings us the gifts of blessed light." There is reference
here to the ancient custom of saying Lauds at daybreak.
Light is a symbol of Christ.

253

PROPER OF SAINTS

2. ''For he drove away the darkness of sin and the night
of hell, and he made his fellow citizens acquainted with the
true light of the Godhead."

3. "With the waters of holy Baptism he purified his
native land : the soldiers whom he baptized with water he
sent as martyrs to heaven. ' ' Tingo 3, to wet, moisten ; in
late Latin used in the' sense of *'to baptize."

4. ''Now being a companion of the Angels, give ear to
the prayers of thy suppliants; banish afar what is sinful,
and pour out upon us thy light. ' '

ST. JULIANA FALCONIERI

June 19

112

Coelestis Agni nuptias

CCELESTIS Agni nuptias,
0 Juliana, dum petis,
Domum paternam deseris,
Chorumque ducis Virginum.

' Sponsumque suffixum Cruci
Noctes, diesque dum gemis,
Doloris icta cuspide,
Sponsi refers imaginem.

'Quin septiformi vulnere
Flos ad genu Deiparae:
Sed crescit infusa fletu,
Flammasque tollit caritas.

*Hinc morte fessam proxima
Non usitato te raodo
Solatur, et nutrit Deus,
Dapem supernam porrigens.

TO be the Lamb's celestial bride
Is Juliana's one desire;
For this she quits her father's

home,
And leads the sacred virgin choir.

By day, by night, she mourns her

Spouse
Nailed to the Cross, with ceaseless

tears.
Till in herself, through very grief.
The image of that Spouse appears.

Like Him, all wounds, she kneels

transfixed
Before the Virgin-Mother's shrine ;
And still the more she weeps, the

more
Mounts up the flame of love

divine.

That love so deep the Lord repaid
His handmaid on her dying bed;
When, with the Food of heavenly

life.
By miracle her soul He fed.

254

ST. JULIANA FALCONIERI

'i^^terne rerum Conditor, All praise to Thee, 0 Maker blest!

interne Fili par Patri, Praise to the everlasting Son;

Et par utrique Spiritus, Praise to the mighty Paraclete

Soli tibi sit gloria. While ages upon ages run.

Author: Francesco Maria Lorenzini (1680-1743).
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall.
There are four translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Vespers and Matins. St. Juliana was the foundress of the
Third Order of Servites. She died in the year 1341.

1. ''When thou, 0 Juliana, didst seek the nuptials of the
Heavenly Lamb, thou didst abandon thy father's house and
lead a choir of virgins." For an explanation of the term
''Nuptials of the Heavenly Lamb," see the article on
Marriage, Mystical, in the Cath. Encycl.

2. "By day and night thou didst bewail thy Spouse
fastened to the Cross, till pierced with a sword of sorrow
thou didst bear the image of thy Spouse." Cuspide, a
sharp point.

3. ' ' Yea, with a sevenfold wound thou didst weep at the
feet of the Mother of God, but by thy tears, the charity in-
fused increased and rendered more keen the poignancy
(flammas) of thy grief." Septiformi vulnere: The seven
Sorrows of our Blessed Mother. Flammas, sc. doloris.
Tears of sorrow increase the love of God in our hearts and
thereby render the greatest sorrows more endurable.

4. "Hence it was that exhausted by the approach of
death, in no ordinary manner did God console and nourish
thee, spreading out before thee Heavenly Food." There
is reference in this stanza to a miraculous image found on
the Saint's breast after her death. "Being unable to re-
ceive Holy Communion because of constant vomiting, she
requested the priest to spread a corporal on her breast and
lay the Host on it. Shortly afterwards the Host disap-
peared and Juliana expired, and the image of a cross,
such as had been on the Host, was found on her breast"
{Cath. Encycl.).

5. "Eternal Creator of the world. Eternal Son equal to
the Father, and Spirit equal to both: to Thee alone
(0 Trinity) be glory."

255

PROPER OF SAINTS
THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

June 24
113 Ut queant laxis

UT queant laxis resonare fibris
Mixsi gestorum /amuli
tuorum,
5o/ve polluti Zabii reatum,
Sancte Joannes.

'Nuntius celso veniens olympo,
Te patri magnum fore nascitu-

rum,
Nomen, at vitae seriem gerendae
Ordine promit.

'Ille promissi dubius superni,
Perdidit promptae modules lo-

quelae :
Sed reformasti genitus peremptae
Organa vocis.

*Ventris obstruso recubans cubili,
Senseras Regem thalamo manen-

tem:
Hinc parens, nati meritis, uterque
Abdita pandit.

'Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,

Et tibi compar utriusque virtus,

Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni

Temporis aevo.

OFOR thy spirit, holy John, to
chasten
Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues

to loosen;
So by thy children might thy deeds
of wonder
Meetly be chanted.

Lo! a swift herald, from the skies

descending,
Bears to thy father promise of thy

greatness ;
How he shall name thee, what thy

future story,
Duly revealing.

Scarcely believing message so

transcendent.
Him for season power of speech

forsaketh.
Till, at thy wondrous birth, again

returneth
Voice to the voiceless.

Thou, in thy mother's womb all

darkly cradled,
Knewest thy Monarch, biding in

His chamber,
Wlience the two parents, through

their children's merits,
Mysteries uttered.

Praise to the Father, to the Son

begotten.
And to the Spirit, equal power

possessing,
One God whose glory, through the

lapse of ages,
Ever resoundeth.

Author: Paul the Deacon (720-799),

256

Meter: Sapphic

NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

and Adonic. Translation, a cento from The Hymner,
based on a translation by W. J. Blew, in the meter of the
original. There are about twenty translations of this
beautiful hymn. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers.
The hymns given below for Matins and Lauds are parts
of this hymn. The translations are in blank verse. In
reading care should be taken to observe the caesura which
in Sapphic verse occurs generally after the fifth syllable.
There is an article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl., and
another on Paulus Diaconus its author,

1. '^That thy servants may be able to sing thy deeds of
wonder with pleasant voices, remove, 0 holy John, the
guilt of our sin-polluted lips." Laxis fibris is intended
to express a good condition of the voice, freedom from
hoarseness, etc., ''with vocal cords well strung." St. John
is invoked for ailments of the throat, and he is even con-
sidered a special patron of singers. The Saint's miraculous
birth is recorded in detail in Luke 1. The whole chapter
should be read. Zachary, the father of the Precursor, lost
his voice on account of his disbelief in the Angel's promise
(Luke 1, 19), and again ''his tongue was loosed" {laxis
fibris) at the naming of John (Luke 1, 64). This stanza is
of special interest to musicians as the syllables marked in
italics were those chosen by Guido of Arezzo (990-1050)
for the syllabic naming of the notes Ut, Re, Mi, Pa, Sol,
La. The famuli mentioned in this stanza are the choir who
(as Zachary recovered his voice at the naming of John)
would implore their patron to endow them with voices
worthy of singing the praises of one so illustrious.

2. "A messenger from highest heaven discloses in due
order to thy father that thou wouldst be born great, thy
name, and the whole course of the life thou wouldst lead. ' '
Nuntius, the Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1, 19). Nomen,
John (Luke 1, 13). Seriem vitce gerendcB (cf. Luke 1, 15-
17).

3. "He (Zachary) doubtful of the heavenly promise lost
the power of ready speech; but when born, thou didst
restore the organs of the lost voice." The disbelief of
Zachary is recorded in Luke 1, 18 ; the penalty in verse 20 ;
the restoration of the power of speech in verse 64.

257

PROPER OF SAINTS

4. "Still resting in the concealed abode of the womb,
thou didst perceive thy King reposing in His chamber:
thereupon both parents by the merits of their son revealed
hidden things." The last two lines of this stanza are
obscure. In the translation given above the two parents
are Zachary and Elisabeth ; and the mysteries they uttered
are Elisabeth's "Blessed art thou among women," etc.
(Luke 1, 42-45), and Zachary 's "Blessed be the Lord God
of Israel," etc. (Luke 68-79). However, there is no lack of
translators who ignore the masculine uterque and the
singular nati and translate quite as literally as Archbishop
Bagshawe :

"The two Mothers then, on account of their Babes,
Things hidden unfold."

In this interpretation the two parents are Mary and
Elisabeth, and the whole stanza gives us a picture of the
Visitation. The "hidden things" uttered by Elisabeth are
the same as those mentioned above (Luke 1, 42-45), and
Our Lady replies in her incomparable Magnificat (Luke 1,
46-55). This is the better interpretation.

5. "Glory be to the Father, and to- the only-begotten
Son, and to Thee, 0 Spirit, power eternally equal to Them
both, one God, forever and ever. ' '

114 Antra deserti

ANTRA deserti, teneris sub rpHOU, in thy childhood, to the
annis, -■• desert caverns

Civium, turmas fugiens, petisti, Fleddest for refuge from the cities'
Ne levi posses maculare vitam turmoil,

Crimine linguae. Where the world's slander might

not dim thy luster,
Lonely abiding.

^Praebuit durum tegumen camelus CameFs hair raiment clothed thy
Artubus sacris, strophium hi- saintly members;

dentes; Leathern the girdle which thy
Cui latex haustum, sociata loins encircled;

pastiun Locusts and honey, with the
Mella locustis. fountain-water,

Daily sustained thee.

268

NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

^ Caeteri tantum cecinere Vatum
Corde praesago jubar afFuturum:
Tu quidem mundi scelus aufer-
entem

Indice prodis.

Oft in past ages, seers with hearts

expectant
Sang the far-distant advent of the

Day-Star ;
Thine was the glory, as the world's

Redeemer
First to proclaim Him.

*Non fuit vasti spatium per orbis Far as the wide world reacheth,
Sanctior quisquam genitus born of woman,

Joanne, Holier was there none than John

Qui nefas saecli meruit lavantem the Baptist;

Tingere lymphis. Meetly in water laving Him who

cleanseth
Man from pollution.

" Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli, Praise to the Father, to the Son
Et tibi, compar utriusque virtus begotten,

Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni And to the Spirit, equal power
Temporis sevo. possessing,

One God whose glory, through the
lapse of ages,
Ever resoundeth.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Transla-
tion by M. J. Blacker and G. H. Palmer. Liturgical Use:
Matins hymn.

1. "From thy tenderest years, fleeing the throngs of
men, thou didst seek the caves of the desert, lest thou stain
thy life by the slightest sin of the tongue." (Cf. Luke 1,
80.)

2. ''The camel furnished the rough covering for thy
sacred members ; thy girdle, the sheep provided ; the foun-
tain furnished thy drink, and honey together with locusts
thy food." Prcehuit, this is the predicate of the whole
stanza. Compare this stanza with Matt. 3, 4.

3. ''The rest of the Prophets only foretold with
prophetic spirit the Light that was to come : but thou with
thy finger didst point out Him who taketh away the sins of
the world." Indice prodis: Ecce agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit
peccatum mundi (John 1, 29).

4. "Throughout the space of the wide world there was
no one born who was more holy than John, who was deemed

259

PROPER OF SAINTS

worthy to baptize with water Him who washeth away the
sins of the world." (Cf. Matt. 11, 11.)

115 O nimis felix

ONIMIS felix, meritique celsi, i~\ MORE than blessed, merit

Nesciens labem nivei pu- ^-^ high attaining,

doris, Pure as the snow-drift, innocent
Praepotens Martyr, nemorumque of evil,

cuhor, Child of the desert, mightiest of
Maxima Vatum. Martyrs,

Greatest of Prophets.

^ Serta ter denis alios coronant Thirtyfold increase some with
Aucta crementis, duplicata quos- glory crowneth;

dam; Sixtyfold fruitage prize for others

Trina te fructu cumulata centum winneth;

Nexibus ornant. Hundredfold measure, thrice re-

peated, decks thee,
Blest one, for guerdon.

'Nimc potens nostri meritis opi- O may the virtue of thine inter-
mis cession,
Pectoris duros lapides revelle. All stony hardness from our
Asperum planans iter, et reflexos hearts expelling,

Dirige calles. Smooth the rough places, and the

crooked straighten
Here in the desert.

* Ut pius mundi Sator et Redemp- Thus may our gracious Maker and
tor. Redeemer,

Mentibus culpae sine labe puris. Seeking a station for His hallowed
Rite dignetur veniens beatos footsteps,

Ponere gressus. Find, when He cometh, temples

undefiled,
Meet to receive Him.

'Laudibus cives celebrent superni Now as the Angels celebrate Thy
Te Deus simplex, pariterque praises,

trine, Godhead essential. Trinity co-
Supplices et nos veniam pre- equal;

camur: Spare Thy redeemed ones, as they
Parce redemptis. bow before Thee,

Pardon imploring.

This is a continuation of the two preceding hymns.

260

NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Translation by M. J. Blacker and G. H. Palmer. Liturgi-
cal Use : Hymn for Lauds.

1. ''0 thrice happy thou, and of exalted merit, knowing
no stain upon thy snow-white purity; thou mightiest of
martyrs, friend of solitude, greatest of prophets."
Nemorum, nemus, a grove, forest, a place of solitude : some
texts have eremi; eremus, desert, wilderness, solitude.

2. ** Crowns enriched with thrice tenfold increase adorn
some; others a double cro\\Ti adorns; but a triple crown
with fruitage heaped up with a hundred twinings adorns
thee." Constr. : Serta (crowns, garlands) aucta ter denis
crementis (increase, fruit) coronat alios, quosdam dupli-
cata serta coronant ; te ornant trina f ructu cumulata serta
centum nexibus. The stanza plainly refers to the Parable
of the Sower, some of whose seed falling on good ground
"brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold,
and some thirtyfold" (Matt. 13, 8). Our Lord Himself
explains the meaning of this parable (Matt. 13, 18-23).
The triple crown ascribed to St. John is probably that
referred to in the preceding stanza, viz., that of martyr,
hermit, and prophet. Note the following:

Some crowns with glory thirty fold are shining:
Others, a double flower and fruit combining:
Thy trinal chaplet bears an intertwining
Hundredfold fruitage.

— H. T. Henry.

3. "Now rendered powerful by thy rich merits, pluck
out the stony hardness of our hearts, make plain the rough
way, and make straight the crooked paths." (Cf. Luke
3,4-5.)

4. "So that the loving Creator and Redeemer of the
world, coming, may becomingly condescend to direct His
blessed footsteps into our hearts free from all stain of
sin."

5. "With songs of praise let the heavenly citizens extol
Thee, God, One and Three; suppliantly we pray for
pardon: spare Thy redeemed ones."

261

116

PROPER OF SAINTS
SS. PETER AND PAUL

June 29
Decora lux

THE beauteous light of God's
eternal Majesty
Streams down in golden rays to

grace this holy day
Which crowned the princes of the

Apostles' glorious choir,
And unto guilty mortals showed
the heavenward way.

The teacher of the world and

keeper of heaven's gate,
Rome's founders twain and rulers

too of every land,
Triumphant over death by sword

and shameful cross,
With laurel crowned are gathered

to the eternal band.

0 happy Rome ! who in thy martyr

princes' blood,
A twofold stream, art washed and

doubly sanctified.
All earthly beauty thou alone out-

shinest far,
Empurpled by their outpoured

life-blood's glorious tide.

All honor, power, and everlasting
jubilee

To Him who all things made and
governs here below,

To God in essence One, and yet
in persons Three,

Both now and ever, while unend-
ing ages flow.

Author: Ascribed to Elpis, the wife of the philosopher
Boethius. She died about 493. Meter: Iambic trimeter.
Translation by Msgr. Canon L. Hall. First line of
Original Text : Aurea luce et decore roseo. The hymn was

262

DECQRA lux aeternitatis, au-
ream
Diem beatis irrigavit ignibus,
Apostolorum quae coronat Prin-

cipes,
Reisque in astra liberam pandit
viam.

*Mundi Magister, atque cceli
Janitor,

Romae parentes, arbitrique Gen-
tium,

Per ensis ille, hie per crucis
victor necem

Vitae senatum laureati possident.

0 Roma felix, quae duormn

Principum
Es consecrata glorioso sanguine:
Horimi cruore purpurata ceteras
Excellis orbis una pulchritudines.

*Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria.
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio.
In unitate, quae gubernat omnia.
Per universa saeculorum ssecula.

SS. PETER AND PAUL

considerably altered by the revisers under Pope Urban
VIII, in 1632. Including both texts there are at least
twelve translations. The complete hymn consists of six
stanzas, including the doxology. The order of the stanzas
in the complete hymn is as follows: Decora lux; Mundi
magister; Beate Pastor Petre; Egregie Doctor Paule; 0
Roma felix; Sit Trinitati. Note the use made of parts of
this hymn on the Feasts of St. Peter's Chair (hymn 90),
and of the Conversion of St. Paul (hymn 91).

1. ''The beauteous Light of Eternity hatli flooded with
blissful fires this golden day which crowns the Princes of
the Apostles, and opens unto the guilty a free way to
heaven. ' ' God is ' ' the beauteous Light of Eternity. ' * The
''blessed fires" are His graces and blessings. The
"golden day" is the festival of the two Apostles.

2. "The teacher of the world, and the door-keeper of
heaven, fathers of Rome, and judges of the nations, the
one triumphant over death by the sword, the other by the
Cross; now laurel-crowned they sit in the assembly of
eternal life." Mundi Magister, St. Paul (Cf. Rom. 11, 13) ;
Cceli Janitor, St. Peter (Cf. Matt. 16, 19). Arhitri, judges
(Cf. Matt. 19, 28). Constr. : Ille (Paulus) victor per necem
ensis, hie (Petrus) per necem crucis possident laureati
senatum vitae.

3. " 0 happy Rome, who art consecrated by the glorious
blood of two Princes ; empurpled by the blood of these, thou
alone dost surpass all other beauties of the world."

4. "To the Trinity in Unity that doth govern all
throughout eternity, be endless glory, honor, power, and
jubilation."

117 Beate Pastor Petre

TIEATE Pastor Petre, clemens T>ETER, blest Shepherd, hearken

•■-' accipe -■- to our cry,

Voces precantum, cruninumque And with a word unloose our

vincula guilty chain;

Verbo resolve, cui potestas Thou! who hast power to ope the

tradita, gates on high

Aperire terris coelum, apertum To men below, and power to shut

claudere. them fast again.

263

PROPER OF SAINTS

^Egregie Doctor Paule, mores Lead us, great teacher Paul, in

instrue, wisdom's ways,
Et nostra tecum pectora in And lift our hearts with thine to

coelum trahe: heaven's high throne;

Velata dum meridiem cernat Till faith beholds the clear

fides, meridian blaze;

Et solis instar sola regnet And sunlike in the soul reigns

caritas. charity alone.

^Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria, Praise, blessing, majesty, through
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio, endless days,

In unitate, quae gubernat omnia. Be to the Trinity immortal given;
Per universa seternitatis saecula. Who in pure unity profoundly

sways
Eternally alike all things in earth
and heaven.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Transla-
tion by Father Caswell. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Lauds on the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul. See Hymns 90
and 91.

1. ''0 blessed shepherd Peter, thou to whom was given
the power to open heaven, and, opened, to close it, merci-
fully receive the prayers of thy suppliants, and by thy
word unloose the chains of their sins." Precantum for
precantium. This stanza is a metrical rendering of Matt.
16, 19 : Et tibi dabo claves regni ccelorum. Et quodcumque
ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in coelis : et quod-
cumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in coelis.

2. *' Illustrious teacher Paul, mould thou our lives, and
draw with thee to heaven our hearts, till faith now veiled
beholds the bright noonday, and, like the sun, charity alone
doth reign." St. Paul was taken up ''even to the third
heaven," i.e., to the abode of the Angels and Saints (Cf.
II Cor. 12, 1-4). The same illustrious Doctor teaches us
that — *'We see now through a glass in a dark manner"
(i.e., by faith) : "but then face to face" (I Cor. 13, 12).
And again, that charity remains forever — ''never falleth
away" (I Cor. 13, 8) though in the next world faith shall
pass into vision, and hope into the enjoyment of God.

264

THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST

July 1
118 Festivis resonent

T^ESTIVIS resonent compita

•■- vocibus,

Gives laetitiam frontibus ex-

plicent,
Taedis flammiferis ordine pro-

deant
Instruct! pueri et senes.

^Quem dura moriens Christus in

arbore
Fudit multiplici vulnere San-

guinem,
Nos facti memores dum colimus,

decet
Saltern fundere lacrymas.

^Humano generi pernicies gravis
Adami veteris criraine contigit:
Adami integritas et pietas novi
Vitam reddidit omnibus.

^Clamorem validum summus ab

aethere
Languentis Geniti si Pater

audiit,
Placari potius sanguine debuit,
Et nobis veniam dare.

*Hoc quicumque stolam sanguine

proluit,
Abstergit maculas, et roseum

decus,
Quo fiat similis protinus Angelis:
Et Regi placeat, capit.

265

WITH glad and joyous strains
now let each street resound,
And let the laurel wreath each

Christian brow entwine;
With torches waving bright, let

old and young go forth.
And swell the train in solemn line.

Whilst we with bitter tears, with

sighs and grief profound,
Wail o'er the saving Blood, poured

forth upon the Tree,
Oh, deeply let us muse, and count

the heavy price.
Which Christ hath paid to make

us free.

The primal man of old, who fell

by serpent's guile.
Brought death and many woes

upon his fallen race;
But our New Adam, Christ, new

life unto us gave.
And brought to all ne'er-ending

grace.

To heaven's highest height, the
wailing cry went up

Of Him, who hung in pain, God's
own eternal Son;

His saving, priceless Blood, His
Father's wrath appeased.

And for His sons full pardon won.

Whoe'er in that pure Blood his

guilty soul shall wash,
Shall from his stains be freed —

be made as roses bright —
Shall vie with Angels pure, shall

please his King and Lord,
And precious shine in His glad

sight.

PROPER OF SAINTS

®A recto instabilis tramite post- Oh, from the path of right ne'er

modura let thy steps depart,

Se nullus retrahat, meta sed But haste thee to the goal in

ultima virtue's peaceful ways;

Tangatur: tribuet nobile prae- Thy God who reigns on high will

mium, e'er direct thy steps,

Qui cursum Deus adjuvat. And crown thy deeds with blissful

days.

^ Nobis propitius sis, Genitor Father of all things made, to us
potens, propitious be,

Ut quos unigenae Sanguine Filii For whom Thy own dear Son, His
Emisti, et placido Flamine re- saving Blood did spill;

creas, O Holy Spirit, grant the souls by
Cceli ad culmina transferas. Thee refreshed

Eternal bliss may ever fill.

Author: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Asclepiadic and
Glyconic. Translation by Father Potter. There are five
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers. Read
the article on Precious Blood, in the Cath. Encycl.

1. "Let the streets re-echo with festive song, let the
people manifest joy in their countenances, let young and
old arrayed in due order proceed with flaming torches."
Compitmn (mostly pi.) crossroads; here, streets, ways.

2. ''While mindful of the fact we worship the Blood
which, from many a wound, the dying Christ shed upon the
cruel Tree, it behooves us to shed at least tears." Facti,
fact, deed, viz., the suffering and death of Christ.

3. ''Grave loss befell the human race by the sin of the
old Adam. The sinlessness and love of the new Adam have
restored life to all." St. Paul draws a parallel between
Christ and Adam (cf. Rom. 5, 12-21).

4. "If the Father heard from heaven the loud cry of
His expiring Son ; far more ought He be appeased by His
Blood, and grant us pardon. ' '

5. "Whoever washeth his robe in this Blood, washeth
away its stains and gaineth a roseate beauty whereby he
forthwith becometh like unto the Angels, and pleasing to
the King." He who cleanses his soul by Baptism and
Penance, which derive their efficacy from Christ's atone-
ment, shall obtain the gift of sanctifying grace {roseum
decus) which makes him pleasing to God.

266

THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

6. ** Henceforth let no unstable one withdraw himself
from the straight path, but let the final goal be touched.
God who aideth us on the way bestoweth a noble prize. ' '

7. "Almighty Father, be Thou propitious to us, so that
those whom Thou didst purchase by the Blood of Thine
only-begotten Son, and whom Thou dost re-create in the
Holy Spirit, those same mayest Thou one day transfer to
the heights of heaven." Unigena, (B, adj. = unigenitus,
only, only-begotten; it here modifies Filii. Placido, calm,
gentle, peaceful.

119

Ira justa Conditoris

IRA justa Conditoris
Imbre aquarum vindice
Criminosum raersit orbem,
Noe in area sospite:
Mira tandem vis amoris
Lavit orbem Sanguine.

^Tam salubri terra felix
Irrigata pluvia,
Ante spinis quae scatebat,
Germinavit flosculos:
Inque nectaris saporem
Transiere absynthia.

^Triste protinus venenum
Dims anguis posuit,
Et cruenta belluarum
Desiit ferocia:
Mitis Agni vulnerati
Haec fuit victoria.

*0 scientiae supernse
Altitude impervia!
0 suavitas benigni
Praedicanda pectoris!
Servus erat morte dignus,
Rex luit pcenam optimus.

righteous

HE who once, in
vengeance,
Whelmed the world beneath the

Flood,
Once again in mercy cleansed it
With the stream of His own Blood,
Coming from His throne on high
On the painful Cross to die.

Blest with this all-saving shower.
Earth her beauty straight re-
sumed ;
In the place of thorns and briars,
Myrtles sprang, and roses

bloomed :
Bitter wormwood of the waste
Into honey changed its taste.

Scorpions ceased; the slimy ser-
pent
Laid his deadly poison by;
Savage beasts of cruel instinct
Lost their wild ferocity;
Welcoming the gentle reign
Of the Lamb for sinners slain.

Oh, the wisdom of th' eternal!
Oh, its depth and height divine!
Oh, the sweetness of that mercy
Which in Jesus Christ doth shine!
Slaves we were condemned to die!
Our King pays the penalty!

267

PROPER OF SAINTS

'Quando culpis provocamus
Ultionem Judicis,
Tunc loquentis protegamur
Sanguinis praesentia:
Ingruentium malorum
Tunc recedant agmina.

'Te redemptus laudet orbis
Grata servans munera,
0 salutis sempiternae
Dux et auctor inclyte,
Qui tenes beata regna
Cum Parente et Spiritu.

When before the Judge we

tremble,
Conscious of His broken laws,
May this Blood, in that dread

hour,
Cry aloud, and plead our cause;
Bid our guilty terrors cease.
Be our pardon and our peace.

Prince and Author of Salvation!
Lord of majesty supreme!
Jesu, praise to Thee be given
By the world Thou didst redeem;
Who with the Father and the

Spirit,
Reignest in eternal merit.

Author : Unknown, 17th cent. Meter : Trochaic tetram-
eter: the lines are here divided at the caesura. Transla-
tion by Father Caswall. There are four translations.
Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on the Feast of the
Most Precious Blood.

1. **The just wrath of the Creator did once submerge
the sinful world beneath an avenging rain of waters, Noe
being safe in the Ark; finally, however, the wondrous
power of love purified the world with Blood." Note the
two abl. absol. constructions in lines 2 and 4: '*A flood of
water being the avenger" . . . *'Noe the while being
safe in the ark. ' '

2. *' Watered by such salubrious rain, the happy earth
which formerly abounded with thorns, now buds forth
flowers; and (the bitterness of) wormwood hath been
changed into the sweetness of nectar." Ahsyntliium,
absinth, bitter herbs. Inque: Constr. : Et absynthia tran-
sierunt in saporem nectaris. When Adam fell, God cursed
the earth and henceforth it was to bring forth thorns and
thistles (cf. Gen. 3, 17-19).

3. *' Forthwith the dire serpent laid aside his baneful
poison, and the bloodthirsty ferocity of the brute creation
subsided: such was the victory of the gentle wounded
Lamb. ' ' Anguis, the devil.

4. **0 the inscrutable depth of heavenly wisdom! 0 the

268

THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

ineffable sweetness of that loving Heart! A slave was
worthy of death, a King of infinite goodness suffered the
punishment!" Scientice: 0 altitudo divitiarum sapientiaB
et scientiae Dei : quam incomprehensibilia sunt judicia ejus,
et investigabiles viae ejus (Rom. 11, 33).

5. **When by our sins we provoke the vengeance of the
Judge, may we then be protected by the presence of this
eloquent Blood: then may the hosts of threatening evils
depart." Loquentis, pleading.

6. **0 Thou who art the Prince and august source of
eternal salvation, and who dost possess the blessed king-
dom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, may the ran-
somed world praise Thee, preserving Thy acceptable
gifts."

120

Salvete Christi vulnera

SALVETE Christi vulnera,
Immensi amoris pignora,
Quibus perennes rivuli
Manant rubentis Sanguinis.

'Nitore Stellas vincitis,
Rosas odore et balsama,
Pretio lapillos indices,
Mellis favos dulcedine.

'Per vos patet gratissimum
Nostris asylum mentibus,
Non hue furor minantium
Unquam penetrat hostium.

Quot Jesus in Pretorio
Flagella nudus excipit!

HAIL, holy Wounds of Jesus,
hail,
Sweet pledges of the saving Rood,
Whence flow the streams that never

fail.
The purple streams of His dear
Blood.

Brighter than brightest stars ye
show.

Than sweetest rose your scent
more rare,

No Indian gem may match your
glow.

No honey's taste with yours com-
pare.

Portals ye are to that dear home
Wherein our wearied souls may

hide,
Wliereto no angry foe can come,
The Heart of Jesus crucified.

What countless stripes our Jesus

bore,
All naked left in Pilate's hall !

269

PROPER OF SAINTS

Quot scissa pellis undique
Stillat cruoris guttulas!

^Frontera venustam, proh dolor!
Corona pungit spinea,
Clavi retusa cuspide
Pedes manusque perforant.

^Postquam sed ille tradidit
Amans volensque spiritum,
Pectus feritur lancea,
Geminusque liquor exilit.

^Ut plena sit redemptio
Sub torculari stringitur,
Suique Jesus immemor,
Sibi nil reservat Sanguinis.

*Venite, quotquot criminum
Funesta labes inficit:
In hoc salutis balneo
Qui se lavat, mundabitur.

'Summi ad Parentis dexteram
Sedenti habenda est gratia,
Qui nos redemit Sanguine,
Sanctoque firmat Spiritu.

From His torn flesh how red a

shower
Did round His sacred person fall!

His beauteous brow, oh, shame
and grief,

By the sharp thorny crown is
riven ;

Through hands and feet, without
relief,

The cruel nails are rudely driven.

But when for our poor sakes He

died,
A willing Priest by love subdued,
The soldier's lance transfixed His

side,
Forth flowed the Water and the

Blood.

In full atonement of our guilt.
Careless of self, the Saviour

trod —
E'en till His Heart's best Blood

was spilt —
The wine-press of the wrath of

God.

Come, bathe you in the healing

flood,
All ye who mourn, by sin opprest;
Your only hope is Jesus' Blood,
His Sacred Heart your only rest.

All praise to Him, the Eternal Son,
At God's right hand enthroned

above,
Whose Blood our full redemption

won.
Whose Spirit seals the gift of

love.

Author: Unknown, 17th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by H. N. Oxenham. There are six transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of
the Most Precious Blood. There is an article on this hymn
in the Cath. Encycl.

270

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS

1. **Hail, ye Wounds of Christ, pledges of boundless love,
whence unfailing streams of crimson Blood flow forth."

2. '*In splendor ye surpass the stars; in fragrance, roses
and balsam; in value, Indian jems; in sweetness, honey."
Favus, i, honeycomb, honey.

3. ''Through you stands open for our hearts a most
inviting place of refuge, whereto the rage of threatening
enemies can never penetrate."

4. "What countless stripes did the naked Jesus receive
in the judgment hall ! How many drops of Blood did His
lacerated skin let fall on every side ! ' '

5. "0 grief! a thorny crown pierces His lovely brow;
nails with blunt points pierce His feet and hands."

6. "But after He had lovingly and of His own free will
given up the ghost, a lance transfixed His breast, and a
twofold stream sprang forth." Geminus liquor, Blood and
Water (cf. John 19, 34).

7. "That the Eedemption might be complete, Jesus is
pressed beneath the wine-press, and, all unmindful of
Himself, He reserves for Himself none of His Blood."
The term "wine-press" is frequently used in the Scriptures
in a figurative sense signifying destruction, tribulation,
etc. (cf. Is. 63, 1-3; Apoc. 19, 11-15).

8. "Come, all ye whom the deadly stain of sin hath in-
fected; whoever washes himself in this saving bath shall
be made clean. ' '

9. ' ' Thanks are due to Him who sitteth at the right hand
of the sovereign Father, to Him who hath redeemed us by
His Blood, and strengthened us by the Holy Spirit."

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS

July 7
121 Sedibus cceli

SEDIBUS coeli nitidis receptos CING, 0 ye faithful, sing two
Dicite athletas geminos, ^ athlete brothers,
Fideles, Welcomed above to thrones of

Slavicae duplex columen decusque light supernal ;

Dicite gentis. Sing, of Slavonia's race, the glory

twofold
And strength eternal.

271

PROPER OF SAINTS

^Hos amor fratres sociavit unus, One love these brethren bound in
Unaque abduxit pietas eremo, sweetest union,

Ferre quo muhis celerent beatae By pity same their solitude is
Pignora vitae. broken;

Forth they would hasten, unto
many bearing
Life's blessed token.

' Luce, quae templis superis renidet, Soon o'er Bulgaria, Moravia,
Bulgaros complent, Moravos, Bohemia,

Bohemos; Light from the heavenly temple
Mox feras turmas numerosa shineth glorious.

Petro Once savage hordes, now count-
Agmina ducunt. less flocks, to Peter

Lead they victorious.

* Debitam cincti meritis coronam Now with the well-earned crown
Pergite o flecti lacrymis precan- your brow encircled,

tum: Hear, blessed ones, to suppliant

Prisca vos Slavis opus est datores tears bending;

Dona tueri. Unto the Slavs, erst by your gifts

enriched.
Protection lending.

^Quaeque vos clamat generosa Oh, may each gen'rous land, your
tellus aid imploring,

Servet aeternse fidei nitorem; Keep bright the faith through
Quae dedit princeps, dabit ipsa every generation;

semper Rome to that land first gave, and
Roma salutem. ever guardeth,

Life and salvation.

*Gentis humanae Sator et Re- Lord, of our race Creator and
demptor Redeemer,

Qui bonus nobis bona cuncta By nature good, all goods on us

praebes, bestowing,

Sint tibi grates, tibi sit per omne Glory to Thee through ages all,
Gloria saeclum. from grateful

Hearts overflowing.

Axtthok: "Iste et sequens compositi fuerunt a R. P.
Leanetti et Rmo Salvati, revisi vero a RRmis Caprara et
Tripepi" (Bishop Van der Stappen's Liturgia Sacra
Vol. 1, p. 63). No other information could be obtained.
The hymns have been improperly ascribed to Pope Leo
XIII, who extended the Feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius

272

H 1) 1 r K I't» I' A S" f H A t'

6"r AT) Rac^

itlft- Idlil (Hiftllfll III JUT "It- inUllKdl

ci\ liic'iiri.j ru.i afft'tiiiii .iKcfun •
I Ijiifniiif (ifiid.nli rllt••v<•<'•^rlllI^((I i" UixMi (i.ir f.i i <■ luutr imMdi.
( irrdlo-rfir i>i.ji.i.- I'.i iiu- .-i.i c.i iiuiiri nuinii iriiu'di -^.ilh •
j^. I ").uv ill .f.i.t.iii.riiK .U'imnnr oiilff inuC '

.Vl.ii'fi" imii' im" J- ^'V •"il'ii'"Miii i(''

rfriiii' .111.) iii.ndfri. iniriju.'ni.im

.lox-.T.Ii.i r ii.l"

Ah.Iv ,.

}•„

Mvsfstth Einsiedlense -IWt Century, 559 pages {Codex
Msc. 113). Pholo-reprodaction of Page lUl from the
original in the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln. '^'In Die
Secundo Paschx. Initiun Infroitus SS. Trinitafis."
A fine specimen of Illuminated Liturgical books at a
period ushering ia the golisa ag^ of this art in Europe,

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS

to the whole Church in 1880, at which time the hymns were
probably written. Meter : Sapphic and Adonic. Transla-
tion by the Benedictines of Stanbrook. There are three
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and
Matins.

1. **Sing, 0 ye faithful, the two athletes admitted to the
resplendent abodes of heaven ; sing the two pillars and the
glory of the Slavonic race." Cyril (827-869) and Methodius
(826-885) were brothers, born of noble parents in Thes-
salonica. Both were consecrated bishops. Read their
biography in the Cath. Encycl. Columen, a pillar; fig., a
support, mainstay, strength.

2. ' ' One love united these brothers, one tender pity drew
them forth from their solitude that they might hasten to
bring to many the pledges of a blessed life." Eremo, from
their solitude, i.e., from their monastery in Constanti-
nople.

3. "With the light that beams resplendent in the temples
above, they fill Bulgarians, Moravians, and Bohemians;
they soon lead to Peter savage hordes, a numerous
throng. ' ' Petro, i.e., to the Church.

4. "Wreathed with crowns well earned by your merits,
may you continue to be moved by the tears of your sup-
pliants; there is need that you, the givers, protect your
former gifts to the Slavs." Cincti: In poetry cingo, and
some other verbs may, in the passive, govern the accusa-
tive (the Greek ace; cf. Zumpt's Grammar, 458). Prisca
dona, faith. The Slavic races were converted in the 9th
cent. ; this hymn was composed at the end of the 19th.

5. ' ^ May every noble land that cries to you, preserve the
splendor of an undying faith ; Rome which first gave, will
ever continue to give salvation." Constr. : Roma ipsa
salutem princeps dedit, semper dabit salutem.

6. "0 Creator and Redeemer of the human race, who
dost lovingly bestow upon us all good things, to Thee be
thanksgiving, to Thee be glory forever and ever."

273

122

PROPER OF SAINTS
Lux o decora

LUX o decora patriae,
Slavisque arnica gentibus,
Salvete, fratres, annuo
Vos efFeremus cantico:

^Quos Roma plaudens excipit,
Complexa mater filios,
Auget corona praesulum,
Novoque firmat robore.

Terras ad usque barbaras
Inferre Christum pergitis;
Quot vanus error luserat,
Almo repletis lumine.

*Noxis soluta pectora
Ardor supernus abripit;
Mutatur horror veprium
In sanctitatis flosculos.

*Et nunc serena coelitum
Locati in aula, supplici
Adeste voto; Slavicas
Servate gentes Numini.

'Errore mersos unicum
Ovile Christi congreget;
Factis avitis aemula
Fides virescat pulchrior.

^Tu nos, beata Trinitas,
Ccelesti amore concita;
Patrumque natos inclyta
Da persequi vestigia.

0 LOVELY light of fatherland!
Kind beacon to Slavonic race,
Brothers, all hail! your festival
With yearly canticle we grace.

Whom Rome applauding did re-
ceive,

As mother doth her sons embrace,

With pontiflf's miter deck your
brows,

Gird with new strength, new toil
to face.

To far-off barb'rous lands ye hie,

Knowledge and love of Christ to
bear;

Whom error vain had long de-
ceived,

Ye now with light replenish fair.

In hearts unfettered from the
grasp

Of ill, doth heav'nly ardor glow;

Where horrid thorns the land de-
voured,

The flowers of holiness now grow.

At length in heav'nly court en-
throned.
Ye rest securely; as we pray.
Oh, hear our cry: the Slavic race
Vouchsafe from God may never
stray.

All wanderers plunged in errors

dark
May Christ's one fold to union

bring;
While emulous of ancestral deeds
May faith to new-born beauty

spring.

Do Thou, 0 blissful Trinity,
Inflame us with Thy heav'nly fires,
And grant the sons may ever tread
The noble footsteps of their sires.

274

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS

Authors and Translatoes as in the preceding hymn.
There are three translations. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius.

1. **0 beauteous light of your fatherland, and light be-
nignly disposed towards the Slavonic nations, brothers, all
hail! we will praise you in our yearly song of praise."
Arnica, adj., friendly.

2. ''Whom Rome applauding receives as a mother em-
bracing her sons, she honors them with the miter of
bishops and endows them with new strength. ' ' Supply eos
in the last two lines of this stanza.

3. "Ye proceed to barbarous lands to bring them Christ:
as many as vain error had deceived, ye fill with the blessed
light of faith."

4. ''A heavenly zeal takes possession of hearts freed
from sin; the horrid sight of thorns is now changed into
flowers of holiness." The last two lines are to be under-
stood in a figurative sense. After the fall of man, God
cursed the earth, and it was to bring forth thorns and
thistles (Gen. 3, 18). This was all changed by the Re-
demption, and the earth watered by the Blood of Christ
would bring forth ''flowers of sanctity" where hitherto
only thorns abounded. This is beautifully expressed in the
second stanza of Hymn 119.

5. "And now, 0 ye who are established in the serene
abode of the Blessed, hear our suppliant prayer: preserve
for God the Slavic nations."

6. "May the one fold of Christ unite those now sunk
in error; may their faith, emulous of the deeds of their
forefathers, bloom with even greater beauty." JEmula,
adj., emulating, rivaling; constr. with the dative.

7. "Thou, 0 Blessed Trinity quicken us with heavenly
love, and grant that the sons may follow in the illustrious
footsteps of their Fathers."

275

PROPER OF SAINTS
ST. ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL

July 8
Domare cordis

123

DOMARE cordis impetus
Elisabeth
Fortis, inopsque Deo
Servire, regno praetulit.

*En fulgidis recepta coeli sedibus,
Sidereaeque domus
Ditata Sanctis gaudiis.

" Nunc regnat inter coelites beatior,
Et premit astra, docens
Quae vera sint regni bona.

*Patri potestas, Filioque gloria,
Perpetuumque decus
Tibi sit alme Spiritus.

TO rule thy heart, Elizabeth,
To curb all motions vain,
Seemed better to thy godly soul
Than as a queen to reign.

And lo, enthroned among the
Saints,

Above the gleaming skies,

Thou hast received thy rich re-
ward.

The joys of Paradise.

Thy

with the Angel

reign is
choirs,

The stars beneath thy feet.
The Blessed Vision is thy prize
And heaven thy queenly seat.

All power unto the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
And honor to the Holy Ghost
While endless ages run.

Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: First
line, iambic trimeter ; 2d line, half of a pentameter ; 3d line,
iambic dimeter. The meter is unusual and it is not found
in any other hymn in the Breviary. Translation by D. J.
Donahoe. There are four translations. Liturgical Use:
Hymn for Vespers and Matins. St. Elizabeth was queen
of Portugal ; she was born in 1271, and died in 1336. There
is a brief sketch of her life in the Cath. Encycl.

1. **In preference to a royal throne, Elizabeth preferred
to subdue the passions of her heart, and, poor, to serve
God."

2. *■ ' Behold, now she hath been received into the shining
abodes of heaven, and enriched with the holy joys of that
celestial dwelling place."

3. **Now with greater joy she reigneth among the

276

ST. ELIZABETH

Blessed, and dwelleth above the stars, teaching us what
really constitute the good things of a kingdom."

4. **To the Father be power, to the Son glory, and to
Thee, Holy Spirit, eternal honor."

124 Opes decusque regium

OPES decusque regium re- "DICHES and regal throne, for

liqueras c"-*- Christ's dear sake,

Elisabeth, Dei dicata numini; True Saint, thou didst despise;

Recepta nunc bearis inter Amid the Angels seated now in

Angelos ; bliss,

Libens ab hostium tuere nos Oh, help us from the skies!
dolis.

^Praei, viamque dux salutis Guide us; and fill our days with
indica: perfume sweet

Sequemur: 0 sit una mens Of loving word and deed;

fidelium, So teaches us thy beauteous
Odor bonus sit omnis actio, tuis charity.

Id innuit rosis operta caritas. By fragrant roses hid.

'Beata caritas, in arce siderum 0 charity! what power is thine!
Potens locare nos per omne by thee

saeculum: Above the stars we soar;

Patrique Filioque summa gloria, In thee be purest praise to Father,
Tibique laus perennis alme Son

Spiritus. And Spirit, evermore.

Authoe: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Iambic
trimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are
three translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on
the Feast of St. Elizabeth.

1. "Wealth and royal splendor, Elizabeth, thou didst
forsake, and thou didst devote thyself to the will of God:
now received among the Angels thou art blessed ; graciously
protect us from the deceits of the enemy. ' '

2. * ' Go thou before, and as a guide point out the way of
salvation; we will follow: 0 may there be but one mind
among the faithful, may every action be a good odor ! The
charity concealed by thy roses betokens this." St. Eliza-
beth was very charitable to the poor, and like a true Saint
she always endeavored to conceal her charitable deeds

277

PROPER OF SAINTS

from the eyes of men. The Breviary thus records the
miracle of the roses referred to in this stanza: "In the
depth of winter she changed the money she was going to
distribute to the poor into roses to conceal it from the
king." Almsdeeds and the prayers of the faithful are
odors of sw^eetness, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to
God (Philip. 4, 18; Apoc. 5, 8).

3. "0 blessed charity which hath power to establish us
forever in the stronghold of the stars ! To Father and to
Son be infinite glory, and to Thee, 0 Holy Spirit, be end-
less praise."

125

ST. MARY MAGDALENE

July 22
Pater superni luminis

PATER superni luminis,
Cum Magdalenam respicis,
Flammas amoris excitas,
Geluque solvis pectoris.

^Amore currit saucia
Pedes beatos ungere,
Lavare fletu, tergere
Comis, et ore lambere.

■Adstare non timet Cruci,
Sepulchro inhaeret anxia:
Truces nee horret milites,
Pellit timorem caritas.

* 0 vera, Christe, caritas,
Tu nostra purga crimina,
Tu corda reple gratia,
Tu redde cteli praemia.

tpATHER of lights! one glance
■*• of Thine,

Whose eyes the universe control,
Fills Magdalene with holy love,
And melts the ice within her soul.

Her precious ointment forth she

brings
Upon those sacred feet to pour;
She washes them with burning

tears,
And with her hair she wipes them

o'er.

Impassioned, to the Cross she

clings,
Nor fears beside the tomb to stay;
Nor dreads the soldiers' savage

mien.
For love has cast all fear away.

0 Christ, Thou very Love itself!
Blest hope of man, through Thee

forgiven !
So touch our spirits from above.
So purify our souls for heaven.

278

ST. MARY MAGDALENE

''Patri, simulque Filio, To God the Father, with the Son

Tibique, sancte Spiritus, And Holy Paraclete, with Thee,

Sicut fuit, sit jugiter As evermore hath been before,

Saeclum per orane gloria. Be glory through eternity.

Author: Cardinal Bellarmine, S.J. (1542-1621). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There
are nine translations. Liturgical Use: Vespers hymn.
Read the article on Mary Magdalen in the Cath. Encycl.
Note the two spellings — Magdalene, Magdalen.

1. ''Source of heavenly Light, when Thou lookest upon
Magdalene, Thou dost excite in her the flames of love, and
dispellest the icy coldness of her heart." Pater superni
luminis = Christus. Christ by His suffering and death is
the source of all grace (luminis).

2. ** Wounded with love, she runs to anoint those sacred
feet, to wash them with her tears, to wipe them with her
hair, and to kiss them with her mouth. ' ' Saucia, wounded,
smitten. Et stans retro secus pedes ejus, lacrymis coepit
rigare pedes ejus, et capillis capitis sui tergebat, et oscula-
batur pedes ejus, et unguento ungebat (Luke 7, 38).

3. ''She does not fear to stand beside the Cross; in dis-
tress she remains near the sepulcher; she does not dread
the savage soldiery; love banishes fear." Adstare cruci,
Cf. John 19, 25. Sepulchro inhcsret, Cf. Matt. 27, 61. Nee
horret, Cf. John 20, 1.

4. "0 Christ, true Love, wash Thou away our sins, fill
our hearts with grace, and bestow upon us the rewards of
heaven." Christe, vera caritas: Deus caritas est: et qui
manet in caritate, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo (I John 4,
16).

5. "To the Father, and at the same time to the Son and
to Thee, Holy Spirit, as has been, so be it forever, eternal
glory."

126 Maria castis osculis

MARIA castis osculis 1-T^^ sacred feet with tears of

Lambit Dei vestigia: •■•■■■ agony

She bathes; and prostrate on the
ground adores;

279

PROPER OF SAIXTS

Fletu rigat, tergit corais,
Detersa nardo perlinit

^ Deo Patri sit gloria,

Ej usque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc, et per omne ssculum.

Steeps them in kisses chaste, and

wipes them dry
With her own hair; then forth her

precious ointment pours.

Praise in the highest to the Father

be;
Praise to the might)" co-etemal

Son;
And praise, 0 Spirit Paraclete, to

Thee,
While ages evermore of endless

ages rim.

Authob: Ascribed to Pope St. G-regory the Great (540-
604). Meteb: Iambic dimeter. Teaxslation by Father
Caswall. There are four translations. Liturgical Use:
Hymn for Matins on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene.
This hymn is a cento from a hymn of t"vrelve stanzas be-
ginning Magno salutis gaudio. Original Text: Nardo
Maria pistico.

1. ''With chaste kisses, Mary kisses the feet of God, she
washes them with her tears, dries them with her hair, and,
when dried, anoints them with spikenard." Vestigia, lit.,
footprints, the soles of the feet ; here it is used for pedes.
Nardus or nardum, an ointment, unguent.

127

Siimmi Parentis Unice

SOIMI Parentis Unice,
Vultu pio nos respice,
Vocans ad arcem gloriae
Cor Magdalenae poenitens.

*Amissa drachma regio
Recondita est aerario,
Et gemma, deterso luto,
Nitore vincit sidera.

'Jesu, medela vulnerum,
Spes una poenitentium,

SON of the Highest, deign to
cast
On us a pitying eye;
Thou, who repentant Magdalene
Didst call to endless joy.

Again the royal treasury

Receives its long-lost coin;

The gem is found, and, cleansed

from mire.
Doth all the stars outshine.

O Jesus, balm of ever^' woimd!
The sinner's only stay!

280

ST. MARY MAGDALENE

Per Magdalenae lacrymas Wash Thou in Magdalene's pure

Peccata nostra diluas. tears

Our guihy spots away.

*Dei Parens piissima, Mother of God! the sons of Eve

Hevae nepotes flebiles Weeping thine aid implore:

De mille vitae fluctibus Oh, land us from the storms of

Salutis in portum vehas. life

Safe on th' eternal shore.

'Uni Deo sit gloria, Glory, for graces manifold,

Pro multiformi gratia, To the one only Lord;

Peccantium qui crimina Whose mercy doth our souls for-

Remittit, et dat praemia. give,

Whose bounty doth reward.

Author; St. Odo of Cluny (879-942). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are
seven translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on
the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. First line of Original
Text : ^terni Patris Unice.

1. **0 Thou Only-Begotten of the sovereign Father, look
upon us with a benign countenance, Thou who callest to the
pinnacle of glory the penitent heart of Magdalene."

2. "The lost groat is again restored to the royal
treasury ; and the gem wiped clean from mire surpasses the
stars in brilliance. ' ' For the Parable of the Lost Coin see
Luke 15, 8-9. The drachma was a small coin bearing the
image of the reigning king. It here represents the human
soul on which is impressed the image and likeness of God.
The ''gem" referred to is the human soul purified by
penance and so adorned with sanctifying grace that it out-
shines the stars in splendor.

3. "0 Jesus, balm of our wounds, and sole hope of the
penitent, mayest Thou, through the tears of Magdalene,
wash away our sins. ' '

4. "0 most gracious Mother of God, convey us weeping
descendants of Eve, from a thousand waves of life to a
haven of safety." Fluctibus, storms, aflSictions.

5. ''To God alone be glory for His manifold graces, —
to God who forgiveth the sins of sinners and bestoweth
rewards."

281

128

PROPER OF SAINTS
ST. PETER'S CHAINS

August 1
Miris modis

MIRIS modis repente liber,
ferrea,
Christo jubente, vincla Petrus

exuit :
Ovilis ille Pastor, et Rector

gregis
Vitae recludit pascua, et fontes

sacros,
Ovesque servat creditas; arcet

lupos.

^Patri perenne sit per aevum

gloria,
Tibique laudes concinamus in-

clytas,
i^^terne Nate, sit, superne

Spiritus,
Honor tibi, decusque: sancta

jugiter
Laudetur omne Trinitas per

saeculum.

IN wondrous mode set free, lo,
at the Lord's command

The galling iron chain doth fall
from Peter's hand,

From Peter, Shepherd blest, who
doth with gentle sway.

His faithful children lead in vir-
tue's fragrant way.

And e'er with watchful love the
tempter drive away.

Now to the Father be eternal glory

done;
Our songs we raise to Thee, 0

everlasting Son;
0 Spirit from on high. Thy throne

we bow before;
To Thee be honor, praise, and

glory evermore:
The Holy Trinity we worship and

adore.

Author : This is one stanza of the hymn described under
hymn 89. Meter: Iambic trimeter. Translation by
Father Potter. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers. First
line of Original Text: Petrus heatus catenarum laqueos.
For an account of the miraculous deliverance of St. Peter
from prison read Acts 12, 3-10.

1. ''Suddenly and in a wondrous manner set free, Peter
at Christ's command puts off the iron chains: he the
shepherd and the ruler of the flock of sheep makes known
the pastures of life and the sacred springs ; he guards the
sheep entrusted to him, and keeps the wolves away."
Ovilis, adj., of sheep.

282

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

August 6

129

Quicumque Christum quceritis

lUICUMQUE Christum quaeri-
tis,
Ocnlos in altum tollite:
Illic licebit vi&ere
Signura perennis gloriae.

^ Illustre quiddam cernimus,
Quod nesciat finem pati,
Sublime, celsum, interminiun,
Antiquius ccelo et chao.

' Hie ille Rex est Gentium,
Populique Rex Judaici,
Promissus Abrahae patri,
Ej usque in sevum semini.

*Hunc et Prophetis testibus,
lisdemque signatoribus
Testator et Pater jubet
Audire nos, et credere.

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui te revelas parvulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

ALL ye who would the Christ
descry,
Lift up your eyes to Him on high:
There mortal gaze hath strength

to see
The token of His majesty.

A wondrous sign we there behold,
That knows not death nor groweth

old,
Sublime, most high, that cannot

fade.
That was ere earth and heaven

were made.

Here is the King the Gentiles fear,
The Jews' most mighty King is

here
Promised to Abraham of yore,
And to his seed forevermore.

'Tis He the Prophets' words fore-
told.

And by their signs shown forth
of old;

The Father's witness hath or-
dained

That we should hear with faith
unfeigned.

Jesu, to Thee our praise we pay.
To little ones revealed to-day,
With Father and Blest Spirit One
Until the ages' course is done.

Author: Prudentius (348-413). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
TRANSLATioiir by Allan G. McDougall. There are twenty-
four translations, nine of which are in Mr. Shipley's
Annus Sanctus. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and

283

PROPER OF SAINTS

Matins. This hymn is a cento from the twelfth and last
poem in the Cathemerinon of Prudentius. The complete
poem consists of 208 lines, and has furnished four centos
for Breviary use: viz., 0 sola magnarum iirhium (Ephi-
phany), Audit tyr annus anxius, and Salvete flores
martyrum. Read the article on Quicumque Christum
quceritis, and the two articles on Transfiguration, in the
Cath. Encycl.

1. ''All ye who seek Christ, lift up your eyes on high;
there it will be permitted you to behold a token of His
eternal glory." The Transfiguration of Our Lord is de-
scribed in Matt. 17, 1-9; Mark 9, 1-8; Luke 9, 28-36. On
Mount Thabor Our Lord granted Peter, James, and John a
sign, or foretaste, of eternal glory. The Apostles were over-
whelmed and rendered beside themselves by only a partial
manifestation of the majesty of Christ's glorified Body.

2. *'A brilliant Something we perceive that can know no
end, sublime, exalted, interminable, older than heaven and
chaos." By chaos is meant the confused, disordered,
primitive mass out of which the universe was made.

3. ''This is the King of the Gentiles, and the King of
the Jewish people, who was promised to our father
Abraham, and to his seed forever." Christ was styled
King of the Jews by the Magi (Cf. Matt. 2, 2). Abraham
was the first Patriarch and the founder of the Hebrew race
(Cf. Gen. 17, 1-9; Luke 1,55).

4. "In the presence of the prophets who had also an-
nounced Him, the Testator and Father commands us to hear
and believe Him." The Prophets Moses and Elias ap-
peared at the Transfiguration and conversed wath Our
Lord. The testimony of the Father is found in Matt. 17, 5.
Testator: The Father is styled "testator" in reference to
Ps. 2, 8: Postula a me, et dabo tibi gentes hsereditatem
tuam, et possessionem tuam terminos terrse.

5. "Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 0
Jesus, eternal glory be to Thee, who dost reveal Thyself to
the little ones" (Cf. Matt. 11, 25; Luke 10, 21).

284

130

THE TRANSFIGURATION
Lux alma, Jesu

LUX alma, Jesu, mentium,
Dura corda nostra recreas,
Culpae fugas caliginem,
Et nos reples dulcedine.

^Quam laetus est, quem visitas!
Censors paternae dexterae,
Tu dulce lumen patriae,
Camis negatum sensibus.

'Splendor paternae gloriae,
Incomprehensa caritas.
Nobis amoris copiam
Largire per prsesentiam.

*Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui te revelas parvulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

LIGHT of the anxious heart,
Jesus, Thou dost appear,
To bid the gloom of guilt depart,
And shed Thy sweetness here.

Joyous is he, with whom,
God's Word, Thou dost abide;
Sweet Light of our eternal home.
To fleshly sense denied.

Brightness of God above!
Unfathomable grace!
Thy presence be a fount of love
Within Thy chosen place.

To Thee, whom children see.
The Father ever blest.
The Holy Spirit, One and Three,
Be endless praise addrest.

Author: St. Bernard (1091-1153). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by Cardinal Newman. There are
eight translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on
the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. This hymn
is a cento from St. Bernard's Jesu dulcis memoria. First
line of Original Text : Amor Jesu dulcissime.

1. ''0 Jesus, Thou loving light of souls, when Thou
dost refresh our hearts, dispel the darkness of sin, and fill
us with sweetness." Lux: Ego sum lux mundi (John 8,
12).

2. "How happy is he whom Thou visitest! Thou com-
peer at the right hand of the Father, Thou sweet light of
heaven, imperceptible to the senses of the flesh." The
things denied to fleshly sense are hinted at by St. Paul,
who was taken up to the third heaven: Quod oculus non
vidit, nee auris audivit, nee in cor hominis ascendit, quae
prseparavit Deus iis, qui diligunt ilium (I Cor. 2, 9).

3. *'0 brightness of the Father's glory, incomprehensi-
ble love, by Thy presence, bestow upon us the fullness of
Thy love." Splendor: Christ is the brightness of the

285

PROPER OF SAINTS

Father's glory (Cf. Heb. 1, 3). This line was borrowed by
the compilers of the cento in 1568, and was retained by
the revisers under Urban VIII, 1632. It is the first line of
Hymn 12.

THE SEVEN DOLORS OF OUR LADY

Sept. 15

131

Jam toto subitus

JAM toto subitus vesper eat
polo,
Et sol attonitum praecipitet diem,
Dum saevae recolo ludibrium

necis,
Divinamque catastrophen.

* Spectatrix aderas supplicio

Parens,
Malis uda, gerens cor adaman-

tinum :
Natus funerea pendulus in cruce
Altos dum gemitus dabat.

'Pendens ante oculos Natus,

atrocibus
Sectus verberibus, Natus hianti-

bus
Fossus vulneribus, quot pene-

trantibus
Te confixit aculeis!

*Heu! sputa, alapae, verbera,

vulnera,
Clavi, fel, aloe, spongia, lancea,
Sitis, spina, cruor, quam varia

pium
Cor pressere tyrannide!

NOW let the darkling eve
Mount suddenly on high.
The sun affrighted reave
His splendors from the sky,
While I in silence grieve
O'er the mocked agony
And the divine catastrophe.

Grief-drenched, thou dost appear
With heart of adamant,
O Mother; and dost hear
The Great Hierophant,
Upon His wooden bier
Locked in the arms of Death,
Utter in groans His parting breath.

What lookest thou upon,
Mangled and bruised and torn?
Ah, 'tis the very Son
Thy yearning breast hath borne!
Surely, each breaking moan
And each deep-mouthed wound
Its fellow in thy heart hath found !

Surely, the taunts and woes,
The scourge, the dripping thorn,
The spitting and the blows,
The gall, the lance, the scorn —
Surely, each torment throws
A poison-dart at thee.
Crushed by their manifold
tyranny.

286

THE SEVEN DOLORS OF OUR LADY

'Cunctis interea stat generosior Yet thou with patient mien

Virgo Martyribus : prodigio Beneath His Cross dost stand,

novo. Nobler in this, I ween,

In tantis moriens non raoreris Than all the martyr-band:

Parens, A thousand deaths, 0 Queen,

Diris fixa doloribus. Upon thy spirit lie.

Yet thou, O marvel! dost not die.

•Sit summae Triadi gloria, laus, 0 Holy Trinity,

honor. Let earth and heaven raise

A qua suppliciter, sollicita prece. Their song of laud to Thee
Posco virginei roboris semulas The while my spirit prays: —
Vires rebus in asperis. When evil comes to me,

The strength do Thou impart
That erst upheld Thy Mother's
heart !

Author: Ascribed to Callisto Palumbella, 18th cent.
Meter: Asclepiadic and Glyconic. Translation by
Monsignor Henry. There are six translations. Liturgical
Use : Vespers hymn. This hymn was formerly assigned to
Matins.

There are two Feasts in honor of the Seven Dolors of the
Blessed Virgin. See Hymn 54. The Seven Sorrows which
these Feasts commemorate are: 1. The prophecy of holy
Simeon at the presentation in the Temple — ''And thy own
soul a sword shall pierce." 2. The flight into Egypt. 3.
The loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem. 4. The meeting
of Mary and Jesus on the way to Calvary. 5. The Cruci-
fixion. 6. The taking down from the Cross. 7. The burial
of Jesus. See the article in the Cath. Encycl. on Sorrows
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1. *'Now let the evening come suddenly upon the whole
heavens, and let the astonished sun dispatch the day, while
I recount the spectacle of the cruel death and the divine
tragedy. ' '

2. "Drenched with grief, thou, 0 Mother, wast present
at the Crucifixion, bearing in thy bosom a heart of
adamant, while thy Son hanging on the fatal Cross uttered
deep groans." TJdus, wet, moist, tearful.

3. ''Before thy very eyes hung thy Son lacerated with
cruel scourgings, thy Son wounded with gaping wounds;

287

PROPER OF SAINTS

with how many sharp, penetrating points did this transfix
thee!"

4. "Alas! spittle, blows, stripes, wounds, nails, gall,
aloes, sponge, lance, thirst, thorns, blood, — with what mani-
fold tyranny do they oppress thy loving heart ! ' '

5. ''The Virgin the while stands there more noble than
the martyrs : by a new wonder, 0 Mother, dying, thon dost
not die, though transfixed by such great and dreadful
sorrows."

6. "To the sovereign Trinity be glory, praise, and
honor, from whom I suppliantly and with fervent prayer
beg strength like the Virgin's in time of trouble."

132

O quot undis

OQUDT undis lacrimarum,
Quo dolore volvitur,
Luctuosa de cruento
Dum, revulsum stipite,
Cernit ulnis incubantem
Virgo Mater filium!

* Os suave, mite pectus,
Et latus dulcissimum,
Dexteramque vulneratam,
Et sinistram sauciam,
Et rubras cruore plantas
^gra tingit lacrimis.

HAT a sea of tears and

sorrow
Did the soul of Mary toss
To and fro upon its billows,
While she wept her bitter loss;
In her arms her Jesus holding,
Torn so newly from the Cross.

Oh, that mournful Virgin-Mother!
See her tears how fast they flow
Down upon His mangled body.
Wounded side, and thorny brow;
While His hands and feet she

kisses —
Picture of immortal woe.

'Centiesque milliesque
Stringit arctis nexibus
Pectus illud, et lacertos,
Ilia figit vulnera:
Sicque tola colliquescit
In doloris osculis.

*Eja Mater, obsecramus
Per tuas has lacrimas,
Filiique triste funus,

Oft and oft His arms and bosom
Fondly straining to her own;
Oft her pallid lips imprinting
On each wound of her dear Sonj
Till at last, in swoons of anguish,
Sense and consciousness are gone.

Gentle Mother, we beseech thee
By thy tears and troubles sore;
By the death of thy dear
Offspring,

288

THE SEVEN DOLORS OF OUR LADY

Vulnerumque purpuram, By the bloody wounds He bore;

Hunc tui cordis dolorem Touch our hearts with that true

Conde nostris cordibus. sorrow

Which afflicted thee of yore.

'Esto Patri, Filioque, To the Father everlasting,

Et coaevo Flaraini, And the Son who reigns on high,

Esto summae Trinitati With the co-eternal Spirit,

Sempiterna gloria, Trinity in Unity,

Et perennis laus, honorque Be salvation, honor, blessing

Hoc, et omni saeculo. Now and through eternity.

Author: Ascribed to the Servite Callisto Palumbella,
who composed the OflSce for the Feast inserted in the
Breviary in 1720. Meter : Trochaic tetrameter. Transla-
tion by Father Caswall. There are six translations.
Liturgical Use : In the latest editions of the Breviary this
hymn is assigned to Matins; it was formerly the Vespers
hymn of the Feast of the Seven Dolors.

1. *'0, with what floods of tears, with what grief is the
Virgin-Mother overwhelmed, when mourning she beholds
her Son taken down from the blood-stained Tree and laid
in her arms!" Constr. : 0 quot undis lacrimarum, quo
dolore volvitur luctuosa Virgo Mater, dum cernit Filium
incumbantem ulnis revulsum de (crucis) stipite.

2. ''The desolate Mother bathes with tears that sweet
mouth, that gentle breast, that side most sweet, that right
hand transfixed, the left wounded, those feet red with
blood."

3. **A hundred times, yea, a thousand times she enfolds
in tight embraces that breast and those arms, she imprints
on herself those wounds : and thus in kisses of sorrow she
wholly melts away."

4. ' ' 0 Mother, we beseech thee by these thy tears, by the
cruel death of thy Son, and by the purple of His wounds,
plant deep in our hearts the grief of thine own heart."

5. "To the Father, and to the Son, and to the co-eternal
Spirit, to the most high Trinity, be everlasting glory,
eternal praise and honor, now and forever. ' '

289

133

PROPER OF SAINTS
SummcB Deus dementia

SUMMi^ Deus clementiae,
Septem dolores Virginis
Plagasque Jesu Filii
Fac rite nos revolvere.

^ Nobis salutem conferant
Deiparaj tot lacrimae,
Quibus lavare suflScis
Totius orbis crimina.

*Sit quinque Jesu vulnerum
Amara contemplatio,
Sint et dolores Virginis
interna cunctis gaudia.

*Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui passus es pro servulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

GOD of mercy, let us run
Where yon fount of sorrows
flows;
Pondering sweetly, one by one,
Jesu's Wounds and Mary's woes.

Ah, those tears Our Lady shed.
Enough to drown a world of sin;
Tears that Jesu's sorrows fed,
Peace and pardon well may win!

His five Wounds, a very home,
For our prayers and praises prove;
And Our Lady's woes become
Endless joys in heaven above.

Jesus, who for us did die,
All on Thee our love we pour;
And in the Holy Trinity
Worship Thee forevermore.

Author: Ascribed to Callisto Palumbella, 18th cent.
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Faber.
There are six translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Lauds on the Feast of the Seven Dolors.

1. * ' 0 God of infinite mercy, grant that we may meditate
well on the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin and on the Wounds
of Jesus her Son. ' '

2. ''May the numerous tears of the Mother of G-od be
conducive to our salvation ; with which tears Thou, 0 God,
art able to wash away the sins of the whole world."
Sufficis, viz., Deus from the preceding stanza.

3. **May the bitter contemplation of the Five "Wounds of
Jesus, and may the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin be a
source of eternal joys to all."

4. *' Jesus, to Thee, who didst suffer for Thy servants, be
glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
through everlasting ages."

290

134

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Sept. 29
Te splendor et virtus Patris

TE splendor et virtus Patris,
Te vita, Jesu, cordium,
Ab ore qui pendent tuo,
Laudamus inter Angeles.

'Tibi mille densa millium
Ducum corona militat:
Sed explicat victor crucem
Michael salutis signifer.

"Draconis hie dirum caput
In ima pellit tartara,
Ducemque cum rebellibus
Coelesti ab arce fulminat.

•Contra ducem superbiae
Sequamur hunc nos principem,
Ut detur ex Agni throno
Nobis corona gloriae.

'Patri, simulque Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus,
Sicut fuit, sit jugiter
Sseclum per omne gloria.

OJESU! Life-spring of the
soul!
The Father's power and glory

bright!
Thee with the Angels we extol;
From Thee they draw their life
and light.

Thy thousand thousand hosts are

spread
Embattled o'er the azure sky;
But Michael bears Thy standard

dread,
And lifts the mighty Cross on

high.

He in that Sign the rebel powers

Did with their Dragon Prince ex-
pel;

And hurled them from the heavens*
high towers,

Down like a thunderbolt to hell.

Grant us, with Michael, still, 0

Lord,
Against the prince of pride to

fight;
So may a crown be our reward,
Before the Lamb's pure throne of

light.

To God the Father, with the Son
And Holy Paraclete, with Thee,
As evermore hath been before,
Be glory through eternity.

Author: Ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856).
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall.
There are eighteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn
for Vespers and Matins. First line of Original Text:

291

PROPER OF SAINTS

Tihi Christe splendor Patris. In this and in the following
hymn the Church sings the praises not only of St. Michael
but of all the holy Angels. Read the article on Michael the
Archangel, in the Cath. Encycl. At the end of the article
there is an account given of Michaelmas Day. There are
separate articles on each of the Angels mentioned in the
following hymn (No. 135).

In the revision of 1632, this hymn, according to the Bid.
of Hymnology was ** recast greatly for the worse." The
Original Text with J. M. Neale 's translation is given below.

1. ''Thee, 0 splendor and power of the Father, Thee, 0
Jesus, the life of our hearts, we praise in the presence of
the Angels who hang upon the words of Thy mouth."
Pendent, to regard with close attention.

2. *'It is for Thee this dense host of countless thousands
of princes engage in battle : but it is the victorious Michael,
the standard-bearer of salvation, who unfurls the standard
of the Cross." Corona, a crown, also an assembly. Mille
is sometimes used in the sense of countless, innumerable,
infinite. As to the number of Angels, Cf. Matt. 26, 53;
Apoc. 5, 11. For the ''great battle in heaven," Cf. Apoc.
12, 7-9.

3. "He casts the direful head of the dragon into the
depths of hell, and hurls headlong from the heavenly citadel
the prince together with his rebels." Hie, Michael. Of
Satan's fall Our Lord said: Videbam satanam sicut fulgur
de coelo cadentem (Luke 10, 18).

4. "Let us follow this leader against the prince of pride,
that a crown of glory may be given to us from the throne
of the Lamb."

134B Tibi Christe splendor Patris

TIBI Christe splendor Patris, 'T'HEE, 0 Christ, the Father's

Vita, virtus cordium, ^ splendor,

In conspectu Angelorum Life and virtue of the heart,

Votis, voce psallimus: In the presence of the Angels

Alternantes concrepando Sing we now with tuneful art,

Melos damus vocibus. Meetly in alternate chorus

Bearing our responsive part.

292

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

^ CoUaudamus venerantes
Omnes cceli principes,
Sed praecipue fidelem
Medicum, et comitem
Raphaelem, in virtute
Alligantem daemonem.

^Quo custode procul pelle,
Rex Christe piissime,
Omne nefas inimici:
Mundo corde et corpora
Paradiso redde tuo
Nos sola dementia.

*Gloriam Patri melodis
Personemus vocibus:
Gloriam Christo canamus,
Gloriam Paraclito:
Qui trinus, et unus Deus
Exstat ante saecula.

Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky;
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate,
Of celestial chivalry,
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.

care re-

whose watchful
pelling —
King of everlasting grace —
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base,
Grant us of Thine only goodness
In Thy Paradise a place.

Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal.
While unending ages run.

This is the Original Text of the preceding hymn.
Translation by J. M. Neale. Meter : Trochaic tetrameter
catalectic. The lines are here divided at the caesura.

135

Christe, sanctorum

CHRISTE, sanctormn decus
Angelorum,
Gentis hmnanae sator et redemp-

tor,
Coelitum nobis tribuas beatas
Scandere sedes.

*Angelus pacis Michael in aedes

Ccelitus nostras veniat, serenae

pacis

Auctor ut
orcum

Bella releget.

lacrimosa in

CHRIST, of the Angels praise
and adoration,
Father and Saviour Thou, of every

nation,
Graciously grant us all to gain a
station.
Where Thou art reigning.

Angel all peaceful, to our dwell-
ings send us,

Michael, from heaven coming to
befriend us,

Breathing serenest peace may he
attend us,
Grim war dispelling.

298

PROPER OF SAINTS

'Angelus fortis Gabriel, ut hostes
Pellat antiques, et arnica ccelo.
Quae triumphator statuit per
orbem,
Templa revisat.

* Angelus nostrae medicus salutis,
Adsit e ccelo Raphael, ut omnes
Sanet aBgrotos, dubiosque vitae
Dirigat actus.

'Virgo dux pacis, Genitrixqua
lucis,
Et sacer nobis chorus Angelorum
Semper assistat, simul et
micantis

Regia coeli.

* Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti
Spiritus, cujus resonat per
omnem
Gloria mundum.

Angel of strength, who triumphed,
tumults quelling,

Gabriel send us, ancient foes ex-
pelling.

Oft in these temples may he make
his dwelling,
Dear unto heaven.

Angel Physician, health on man

bestowing,
Raphael send us from the skies

all glowing,
All sickness curing, wisest counsel

showing

In doubt and danger.

May the fair Mother of the Light

be o'er us.
Virgin of peace, with all the Angel

chorus,
And may the heavenly army go

before us,
Guiding and guarding.

0 May the Godhead, endless bliss

possessing.
Father, Son, Spirit, grant to us

this blessing;
All His creation joins His praise

confessing.
Now and forever.

Author: Ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856).
Meter: Sapphic and Adonic. Translation by T. I. Ball.
There are thirteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn
for Lauds.

1. "O Christ, Thou glory of the holy Angels, the
Creator and Redeemer of mankind, grant that we may
ascend to the happy abodes of the Blessed." Scandere =
ascendere; constr., scandere ad or in; it may also take the
accusative, being used as an active verb.

2. *^May Michael, the Angel of peace, descend from
heaven into our homes, that he, the author of sweet peace,
may banish dismal war to hell." St. Michael is the Angel
of peace because he was the leader of the heavenly hosts

294

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

that fought with the rebel angels, and by his victory estab-
lished peace in heaven (Cf. Apoc. 12, 7-9). Orcus, the in-
fernal regions.

3. **May Gabriel, Angel of strength, put to flight our
ancient enemies, may he revisit the temples dear to heaven,
which the conqueror has placed throughout the world."
Triumphator, Christ. Templa revisat: An allusion prob-
ably to the Archangel's visit to Zachary (Cf. Luke 1, 11-
19).

4. * ' May the Angel Raphael, the physician of our health,
descending from heaven, be at our side, that he may heal
all that are infirm, and guide us in the uncertain under-
takings of life. ' ' The Archangel Raphael was the guide and
protector of the younger Tobias, and the physician who
restored the sight of the elder TolDias (Cf. Tobias 5-11).

5. "May the Virgin Queen of Peace, the Mother of
Light, the sacred choir of Angels, and the court of radiant
heaven always assist us." Lucis, Christ. Ego sum lux
mundi (John 8, 12). The Blessed Virgin is invoked as she
is the Queen of Angels (Litany). The following is Father
Caswall's translation of this stanza:

Thou too, fair virgin, Daughter of the skies!
Mother of Light, and Queen of Peace, descend;
Bringing with thee the radiant court of heaven,
To aid us and defend.

6. "May the Blessed Godhead of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, whose glory resounds throughout the world,
grant us this our prayer. ' '

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

Oct. 2

136 Custodes hominum

pUSTODES hominum psalli- A NGELGUARDIANS of men,
^-^ mus Angelos, -^*- spirits and powers we sing.

Naturae fragili quos Pater addidit Whom our Father hath sent, aids

to our weakly frame,
295

PROPER OF SAINTS

Coelestis comites, insidiantibus
Ne succumberet hostibus.

'Nam quod corruerit proditor

angelus,
Concessis merito pulsus honori-

bus,
Ardens invidia pellere nititur
Quos ccelo Deus advocat.

* Hue custos igitur pervigil advola,
Avertens patria de tibi credita
Tarn morbos animi, quam re-

quiescere
Quidquid non sinit incolas.

Heavenly friends and guides, help
from on high to bring,

Lest we fail through the foeman's
wile.

He, the spoiler of souls, Angel-
traitor of old,

Cast in merited wrath out of his
honored place.

Burns with envy and hate, seek-
ing their souls to gain

Whom God's mercy invites to
heaven.

Therefore come to our help,
watchful ward of our lives:

Turn aside from the land God to
thy care confides

Sickness and woe of soul, yea, and
what else of ill

Peace of heart to its folk denies.

*Sanctae sit Triadi laus pia jugiter, Now to the Holy Three praise
Cujus perpetuo numine machina evermore resound:

Triplex haec regitur, cujus in Under whose hand divine resteth

omnia the triple world

Regnat gloria ssecula. Governed in wondrous wise: glory

be theirs and might
While the ages unending run.

Author: Ascribed to Cardinal Bellarmine (1542-1621).
Meter: Asclepiadic and Glyconic. TRANSLATioiir by Alan
G. McDoTigall. There are five translations. Liturgical
Use: Hymn for Vespers. Read the articles on Guardian
Angel and on Guardian Angels, Feast of, in the Cath.
Encycl.

1. '^We sing of the Angels, the guardians of men, whom
the heavenly Father has given as companions to our frail
nature, lest it succumb to its insidious foes."

2. *'For since the traitor-angel fell, he was justly de-
prived of the honors bestowed upon him, and, burning with
envy, he now endeavors to banish those whom God calls to
heaven. ' '

3. * * Fly hither then, 0 ever-watchful guardian, and ward
off from the land entrusted to thee both diseases of the

296

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

soul and whatsoever does not permit the inhabitants to
rest." Not only may each individual have a Guardian
Angel, but each nation may have a special protector among
the heavenly spirits. Cf. the footnote on Daniel 10, 13,
in the Douay Bible, and the article on Guardian Angel, in
the Cath. Encycl.

4. **May there be loving praise forever to the Holy
Trinity, by whose eternal will is ruled this triple frame,
and whose glory reigns supreme throughout the ages,"

137

Mterne Rector side rum

AETERNE Rector siderum,
Qui, quidquid est, potentia
Magna creasti, nee regis
Minore providentia:

^Adesto supplicantiura
Tibi reorum coetui,
Lucisque sub crepusculum
Lucem no vara da mentibus.

^Tuusque nobis Angelus
Electus ad custodiam,
Hie adsit; a contagio
Ut criminum nos protegat.

* Nobis draconis aemuli
Versutias exte^minet;
Ne rete fraudulentias
Incauta nectat pectora.

^Metum repellat hostium
Nostris procul de finibus:
Pacem procuret civium,
Fugetque pestilentiam.

*Deo Patri sit gloria,
Qui, quos redemit Filius,
Et sanctus unxit Spiritus,
Per Angelos custodial.

Author: Cardinal Bellarmine (1542-1621). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There

297

RULER of the dread immense!
Maker of this mighty frame!
Whose eternal providence
Guides it, as from Thee it came:

Low before Thy throne we bend;
Hear our supplicating cries;
And Thy light celestial send
With the freshly dawning skies.

King of kings, and Lord most

High!
This of Thy dear love we pray:
May Thy Guardian Angel nigh,
Keep us from all sin this day.

May he crush the deadly wiles
Of the envious serpent's art.
Ever spreading cunning toils
Round about the thoughtless heart.

May he scatter ruthless war
Ere to this our land it come;
Plague and famine drive away.
Fix securely peace at home.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One eternal Trinity!
Guard by Thy Angelic host
Us who put our trust in Thee.

PROPER OF SAINTS

are seven translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds
on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

1-2. "Eternal Ruler of the stars, who, with great power
didst create whatever exists, and with no less providence
dost govern the same; give heed to the assembly of the
guilty who supplicate Thee, and, at the break of day, grant
new light to our souls." Crepusculum, twilight — generally
the evening twilight. Here it is used for *'dawn" as Lauds
was said at daybreak.

3. ''And Thy Angel, who was chosen as our guardian,
may he be present here to protect us from the contagion of
sin."

4. "May he bring to naught for us the wiles of the
envious dragon, lest he ensnare unwary hearts in the net
of deceitf ulness. "

5. "May he drive far from our borders the fear of
enemies; may he procure peace among the citizens and
banish pestilence."

6. ' ' Glory be to the Father, who guardeth by His Angels
those whom the Son redeemed and the Holy Spirit
anointed." TJnxit, strengthened.

FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Oct. 7
138 Cwlestis aulce Nuntius

CCELESTIS aulae Nuntius, HPHE Messenger from God's high

Arcana pandens Numinis, -■- throne

Plenara salutat gratia His secret counsel making known

Dei Parentem Virginem. Hails Mary, child of David's race,

God's Virgin -Mother, full of grace.

^ Virgo propinquam sanguine The Mother-Maid with joyous feet

Matrem Joannis visitat, Her friend, John's mother, goes to

Qui clausus alvo gestiens greet;

Adesse Christum nuntiat. He, stirring in the enclosing womb.

Declares that Christ his Lord haa
come.

298

THE HOLY ROSARY

'Verbum, quod ante saecula
E mente Patris prodiit,
E Matris alvo Virginis
Mortalis Infans nascitur.

*Templo puellus sistitur,
Legique paret Legifer,
Hie se Redemptor paupere
Pretio redemptus immolat.

'Quem jam dolebat per litum,
Mox laeta Mater invenit
Ignota doctis mentibus
Edisserentem Filium.

'Gloria tibi Domine
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

The Word, who ere the worlds

began,
From God the Father's thought

forth ran,
Of Mary, Virgin undefiled.
For us is born a mortal child.

Christ to the Temple courts they

bring;
The King's own law subjects the

King;
The world's Redeemer for a price
Is there redeemed, our sacrifice.

The joyful Mother finds once more

The Son she mourned as lost be-
fore;

While doctors by His speech were
shown

The mysteries they had never
known.

To God the Three in One be praise.
Who through these holy mysteries
Grants grace to those who seek in

prayer
The glory of His bliss to share.

Atjthoe! Father Augustine Ricchini, O.P., 18th cent.
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Alan G. Mc-
Dougall. There are five translations. Liturgical Use:
Vespers hymn. Thence: The Five Joyful Mysteries — one
stanza being devoted to each Mystery. The Breviary Of-
fice in honor of the Most Holy Rosary, with its four proper
hymns, was approved by Pope Leo XIII, in 1888. In
studying the hymns it will be observed that the first three
hymns celebrate in their fifteen stanzas, the fifteen
Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The fourth hymn is a re-
capitulation of the subject matter of the first three hymns.
The hymns were written in 1757.

1. The Annunciation: "The messenger of the heavenly
court, revealing the mysteries of the Divinity, salutes, as
full of grace, the Virgin-Mother of God." Nuntius, the
Archangel Gabriel (Cf. Luke 1, 26-28).

299

PROPER OF SAINTS

2. The Visitation: **The Virgin visits one related to her
by blood, the mother of John, who, though still enclosed in
the womb, exultingly proclaims that Christ is present."
Exultavit infans in utero ejus (Luke 1, 41). Propinquam
sanguine, Elizabeth, Mary's cousin (Luke 1, 36) ; read the
remainder of this chapter of St. Luke. It gives an account
of the Visitation, and in it are found the two sublime
Evangelical Canticles, the Magnificat (verses 46-55), and
the Benedictus (verses 68-79).

3. The Nativity: "The Word that from all eternity had
proceeded from the intellect of the Father is born a mortal
infant from the womb of a Virgin-Mother.*' Verbum, the
Eternal Son (Cf. John 1, 1-14).

4. The Presentation: *'The Child is presented in the
temple, the Lawgiver obeys the Law, here the Redeemer
offers Himself, and is redeemed by the offering of the
poor." The Law (Leviticus 12, 6-8) specified the offerings
that must be made by the rich and by the poor on the puri-
fication of a woman after childbirth. The latter were re-
quired to offer a sacrifice of "a pair of turtle doves, or two
young pigeons" (Cf. Luke 2, 22-24). Mary made the
offering of the poor, and did for Him ''according to the
custom of the Law" (Luke 2, 27). The purification of the
mother, and the redemption of the Child (Num. 18, 15)
were quite different legal prescriptions, but it is reasonable
to suppose that both ceremonies took place at the same
time. Read the beautiful Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2, 29-
32).

5. The Finding in the Temple: ''Now the joyful Mother
finds her Son whom she had already mourned as lost ; finds
Him expounding to learned minds things they did not
know."

139 In monte olivis

IN monte olivis consito 'T^HE Mount of Olives wit-

Redemptor orans, procidit, ^ nesseth

Mceret, pavescit, deficit, The awful agony of God:

Sudore manans sanguinis. His soul is sorrowful to death,

His sweat of blood bedews the
sod.
300

THE HOLY ROSARY

'A proditore traditus
Raptatur in poenas Deus,
Durisque vinctus nexibus
Flagris cruentis caeditur.

'Intexta acutis sentibus,
Corona contumeliae,
Squallenti amictum purpura,
Regem coronat gloriae.

*Molis crucem ter arduae,
Sudans, anhelans concidens,
Ad montis usque verticem
Gestare vi compellitur.

'Confixus atro stipite
Inter scelestos innocens,
Orando pro tortoribus,
Exsanguis efflat spiritum.

"Gloria tibi, Domine,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

And now the traitor's work is

done:
The clamorous crowds around Him

surge ;
Bound to pillar, God the Son
Quivers beneath the blood-red

scourge.

Lo! clad in purple soiled and

worn,
Meekly the Saviour waiteth now
While wretches plait the cruel

thorn
To crown with shame His royal

brow.

Sweating and sighing, faint with

loss
Of what hath flowed from life's

red fount.
He bears the exceeding heavy

Cross
Up to the verge of Calvary's

mount.

Nailed to the wood of ancient

curse,
Between two thieves the Sinless

One
Still praying for His murderers,
Breathes forth His soul, and all

is done!

Glory to Thee, and honor meet,
Jesu, of Maiden-Mother born.
And Father and the Paraclete,
Through endless ages of the morn !

Author: Father Augustine Ricchini, O.P., 18th cent.
Meter : Iambic dimeter. Translation by Monsignor Henry.
There are four translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Matins on the Feast of the Holy Rosary. Theme : The Five
Sorrowful Mysteries.

1. The Agony in the Garden: **0n the mountain planted
with olives, the Redeemer praying falls prostrate; He

301

PROPER OF SAINTS

grows sad, He fears, He grows faint, dripping with a sweat
of blood." The Passion of Our Lord is described in Matt.
26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-19.

2. The Scourging at the Pillar: **God, delivered up by
a traitor, is dragged away to punishment; He is bound
with rough cords and beaten with bloody scourges."

3. The Crowning with Thorns: ''A crown of ignominy,
woven of sharp thorns, crowns the King of glory clothed
with a filthy purple garment. * '

4. The Carrying of the Cross: "Perspiring, gasping,
and falling, He is compelled by force to carry the Cross of
thrice heavy weight to the summit of the mountain." The
Cross was ''thrice heavy" on account of Our Lord's weak-
ness following the agony and the scourging.

5. The Crucifixion: ''Fastened to the infamous gibbet,
guiltless He hangs between the guilty, till, bloodless, He
breathes forth His Spirit while praying for His torturers."

140

Jam morte victor

JAM morte victor obruta
Ab inferis Christus redit,
Fractisque culpae vinculis,
Coeli recludit limina.

^Visus satis mortal ibus
Ascendit ad coelestia,
Dexterseque Patris assidet
Consors paternae gloriae.

'Quern jam suis promiserat,
Sanctum daturus Spiritum,
Linguis amoris igneis
Mcestis alumnis impluit.

*Soluta carnis pondere
Ad astra Virgo tollitur,
Excepta cceli jubilo,
Et Angelorum canticis.

NOW Christ, the Conqueror of
death,
Breaks sin's enslaving chain,
And rising from the tomb returns,
And opens heaven again.

Awhile beheld by mortal men.
He rises from their sight;
Ascending to the Father's throne,
He reigns in equal light.

His promised gift unto His own
He sends forth from above,
And rains the Holy Spirit down
In fiery tongues of love.

The Virgin, freed of mortal

weight,
Is borne than stars yet higher,
And with glad melody is hailed
By each Angelic choir.

302

THE HOLY ROSARY

'Bis sena cingunt sidera Our Mother's gentle brow now

Almae parentis verticem: shines

Throno propinqua Filii With crown in starry sheen,

Cunctis creatis imperat. As nigh her Son, in light en-

throned,
She reigns creation's Queen.

* Gloria tibi, Domine, O Jesu, bom of Virgin bright,

Qui natus es de Virgine, All glory be to Thee,

Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu With Father and with Paraclete,

In sempiterna saecula. Through all eternity.

Author: Father Augustine Ricchini, O.P., 18th cent.
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by the Benedictines
of Stanbrook. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the
Feast of the Holy Rosary. Theme: The Five Glorious
Mysteries.

1. The Resurrection: ''Death having been vanquished,
Christ, the conqueror, returns from Limbo, and having
broken the bonds of sin, He reopens the portals of heaven.'*

2. The Ascension: ''Having appeared sufficiently long
to men, He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand
of the Father, a co-sharer of His glory."

3. The Coming of the Holy Ghost: "The Holy Spirit
whom He had already promised to His own, He showers
down upon His sorrowing Apostles in fiery tongues of
love. ' '

4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin: "Liberated
from the weight of the flesh, the Virgin is taken up to
heaven; she is received with the jubilation of heaven, and
with the songs of Angels. ' '

5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin: "Twelve
stars now crown the brow of the glorious Mother ; near the
throne of her Son, she reigns over all created things."
There is an allusion in this stanza to the "great sign" that
appeared in heaven : " A woman clothed with the sun, and
the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve
stars" (Apoc. 12, 1). See footnote on this verse of the
Apoc, in the Douay Bible. Imperat: "reigns over" in the
sense that she is styled — Queen of Angels, Patriarchs,
Prophets, etc., in the Litany.

S03

PROPER OF SAINTS
141 Te gestientem gaudiis

TE gestientem gaudiis,
Te sauciam doloribus,
Te jugi amictam gloria,
0 Virgo Mater pangimus.

'Ave, redundans gaudio
Dum concipis, dum visitas,
Et edis, offers, invenis,
Mater beata Filium,

'Ave, dolens et intimo,
In corde agonem, verbera.
Spinas, crucemque Filii
Perpessa, princeps martyrura.

*Ave, in triumphis Filii,
In ignibus Paraclyti,
In regni honore et lumine,
Regina fulgens gloria.

^Venite gentes, carpite
Ex his rosas mysteriis,
Et pulchri amoris inclitae
Matri coronas nectite.

•Gloria tibi Domine,
Qui natus es de Virgine
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

THE gladness of thy Mother-
hood,
The anguish of thy suffering,
The glory now that crowns thy

brow,
0 Virgin-Mother, we would sing.

Hail, blessed Mother, full of joy
In thy consent, thy visit too;
Joy in the birth of Christ on earth,
Joy in Him lost and found anew.

Hail, sorrowing in His agony —
The blows, the thorns that pierced

His brow;
The heavy wood, the shameful

Rood-
Yea! Queen and chief of Martyrs

thou.

Hail, in the triumph of thy Son,
The quickening flames of Pente-
cost;
Shining a Queen in light serene,
When all the world is tempest-
tost.

O come, ye nations, roses bring.
Culled from these mysteries

Divine,
And for the Mother of your King
With loving hands your chaplets

twine.

We lay our homage at Thy feet,
Lord Jesus, Thou the Virgin's Son,
With Father and with Paraclete,
Reigning while endless ages run.

Author: Father Augustine Ricchini, O.P., 18th. cent.
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Abbot Hunter-
Blair, O.S.B. There are five translations. Liturgical
Use: Hymn for Second Vespers on the Feast of the Holy
Rosary. Theme: 1st stanza, a summary of the three sets

304

ST. TERESA

of Mysteries ; 2nd stanza, a summary of the Joyful Myster-
ies; 3d stanza, the Sorrowful Mysteries; 4th stanza, the
Glorious Mysteries; 5th stanza, an invitation to gather
from these Mysteries roses and weave therefrom a crown
for the glorious Mother of fair love.

1. ''We sing thee, 0 Virgin Mother, as exulting with
joy, wounded with sorrows, and robed with eternal glory. ' '

2. ''Hail, Mother overflowing with joy, when thou didst
conceive, when thou didst visit thy cousin Elizabeth, when
thou didst give birth to thy Son, when thou didst offer Him,
and find Him in the temple. ' '

3. "Hail, 0 suffering Queen of Martyrs, thou who didst
endure in thy inmost heart the agony, the scourging, the
thorns, and the Cross of thy Son. ' ' Agon, onis, lit., a con-
test or combat. The reference is to the agony in the Gar-
den of Gethsemani.

4. "Hail, 0 Queen refulgent with glory in the triumphs
of thy Son, in the fires of the Paraclete, in the honor and
splendor of the heavenly kingdom."

5. ' ' Come, 0 ye nations, cull roses from these Mysteries,
and weave therefrom garlands for the glorious Mother of
fair love."

ST. TERESA

Oct. 15

142 Regis superni nuntia

REGIS superni nuntia, /^OD'S messenger, Theresa,

Domum paternam deseris, ^^ Thou leav'st thy father's
Terris Teresa barbarls home

Christum datura, aut sanguinem. To bring mankind to Jesus

Or gain sweet martyrdom.

''Sed te manet suavior But milder death awaits thee,

Mors, poena poscit dulcior: And fonder pains are thine,

Divini amoris cuspide God's blessed Angel wounds thee

In vulnus iota concides. With fire of love divine.

' 0 caritatis victima ! Sweet virgin, love's pure victim,

Tu corda nostra concrema, So fire our souls with love,

305

PROPER OF SAINTS

Tibique gentes creditas And lead thy trusting people

Averni ab igne libera. Safe to the realms above.

* Sit laus Patri cum Filio Give glory to the Father,

Et Spiritu Paraclito, The Spirit and the Son,

Tibique sancta Trinitas, One Trinity, one Godhead,

Nunc, et per omne saeculura. While endless ages run.

Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by D. J. Donahoe. There are four
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and
Matins. St. Teresa (1515-1582) was an illustrious mem-
ber of the Carmelite Order. A brief account of her won-
derful life is given in the Cath. Encycl., and a more ex-
tended biography in Butler's Lives of the Saints. Note the
spelling: Teresa, Teresia, Theresa.

1. **As a herald of the heavenly King, thou dost leave,
0 Teresa, thy father's house to give to barbarous lands
either Christ or thy blood." As a mere child, Teresa and
her little brother actually set out for the country of the
Moors, with the hope of dying for their faith. Much to
their disappointment they were intercepted by an uncle
and restored to their distracted mother.

2. **But a sweeter death awaits thee, a more delightful
pain claims thee: pierced even unto being wounded by a
shaft of divine love, thou dost fall." This stanza refers
to the Transverberation of the Saint's heart. In her auto-
biography she tells us that an Angel appeared to her, and —
* * He had in his hand a long golden dart, and at the end of
the point methought there was a little fire; and I con-
ceived that he thrust it several times through my heart and
after such a manner that it passed through my very bow-
els; and when he drew it out, methought it pulled them
out with it, and left me wholly inflamed with a great love
of God" (Butler's Lives). Her body is still preserved
incorrupt at Alba in Spain, and **her heart, too, showing
the marks of the Transverberation is exposed there for the
veneration of the faithful" {Cath. Encycl.) . There is an
Oflfice and Mass in honor of the Transverberatio Cordis S.
Teresice (Aug. 27).

306

ST. TERESA

3. "0 victim of love, inflame our hearts, and deliver
from the fires of hell the nations entrusted to thee."

143

HcBC est dies

TJtJEC est dies, qua candidae
•■--■■ Instar columbae, coelitum
Ad sacra templa spiritus
Se transtulit Teresiae.

^Sponsique voces audiit:
Veni soror de vertice
Carmeli ad Agni nuptias:
Veni ad coronam gloriae.

^Te sponse Jesu Virginum
Beati adorent ordines,
Et nuptiali cantico
Laudent per omne saeculum.

BEHOLD the blessed morning,
When, like a snow-white dove,
Thy soul arose, Theresa,
To join the choirs above.

The Bridegroom calls: "From

Carmel
Come, sister, unto me,
Partake the Lamb's high nuptials;
Thy crown awaiteth thee."

0 Jesus, tender Bridegroom
By holy virgin throngs
Be evermore surrounded.
Be praised in endless songs.

Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Iambic
dimeter. Translation by D. J. Donahoe. There are five
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the
Feast of St. Teresa.

1. "This is the day on which the soul of Teresa like a
shining white dove betook itself to the sacred temples of the
Blessed." Instar, with genitive, like to, after the fashion
of. Columbce, the dove is a symbol of innocence and purity.

2. '*And she heard the voice of the Bridegroom: 'Come,
Sister, from the heights of Carmel to the nuptials of the
Lamb; come to receive a crown of glory.' " Veni (ad
suscipiendam) coronam glorias. The Carmelite order was
founded on Mount Carmel in Palestine in 1156. For an
explanation of the term ''nuptials of the Lamb," read St.
Teresa's own interpretation of mystical marriage quoted
in the article on Marriage, Mystical, in the Cath. Encycl.

3. "0 Jesus, Spouse of Virgins, may the heavenly choirs
adore Thee, and with nuptial song praise Thee forever."

307

144

PROPER OF SAINTS
ST. JOHN CANTIUS

Oct. 20

Gentis Polonce

GENTIS Polonae gloria,
Clerique splendor nobilis,
Decus Lycaei, et patriae
Pater, Joannes inclyte.

^ Legem superni Numinis
Doces magister, et facis.
Nil scire prodest: sedulo
Legem nitamur exsequi.

^Apostolorum limina
Pedes viator visitas;
Ad patriam, ad quam tendimus,
Gressus viamque dirige.

*Urbem petis Jerusalem:
Signata sacro sanguine
Christi colis vestigia,
Rigasque fusis fletibus.

'^Acerba Christi vulnera,
Hserete nostris cordibus,
Ut cogitemus consequi
Redemptionis pretium.

•Te prona mundi machina,
Clemens adoret Trinitas,
Et nos novi per gratiam
Novum canamus canticum.

0 GLORY of the Polish race,
0 splendor of the priestly
band,
Whose lore did thy Lyceimi grace,
John, father of the fatherland.

The Law of the supernal Will
Thou teachest both in word and

deed;
Knowledge is naught — we must

fulfill
Li works, not barren words, our

creed !

On foot to Apostolic Rome
Thy pilgrim spirit joyful hied;
Oh, to our everlasting home
The path declare, the footstep
guide !

Again, in Sion's holy street.
Anew thou wet'st with tearful

flood
The pathway of the Saviour's feet
Erst wet with His redeeming

Blood.

0 sweet and bitter Wounds of

Christ,
Deep in our hearts imprinted stay.
That the blest fruit the sacrificed
Redeemer gained, be ours for aye!

Then let the world obeisance due
Perform, 0 God, to Thy high

Will;
And let our souls, by grace made

new.
Sing to Thee a new canticle!

Author: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter,

308

ST. JOHN CANTIUS

Translation by Monsignor Henry. There are five trans-
lations. Liturgical Use : Vespers hymn. There is a short
biography of John Cantius, St. (1412-1473), in the Cath.
Encycl.

1. "Illustrious John, the glory of the Polish race, and
the noble ornament of the priesthood, the glory of thy Uni-
versity and the father of thy country!" Lyccei: the Uni-
versity of Cracow in which St. John was a professor of
theology. A brief history of the University is given at the
end of the article on Cracow, in the Cath. Encycl.

2. **As teacher thou dost both teach and observe the
Law of the Heavenly Divinity: to know availeth not; we
must diligently strive to fulfil the Law."

3. *'A traveler on foot thou dost visit the tombs of the
Apostles: to our true country which we seek, direct thou
our steps and our way." Limen, a threshold; Limina
Apostolorum, an ecclesiastical term meaning a pilgrimage
to the sepulchers of SS. Peter and Paul in Rome. St. Peter
rests in the great church bearing his name, and St. Paul
in the Basilica of St. Paul '^ outside the walls." Pedes,
itis, adj., on foot. Pedes viator, a pilgrim. St. John made
four pilgrimages to Rome on foot. He also made a pil-
grimage to Jerusalem.

4. *'Thou dost visit the city of Jerusalem, and dost
venerate the footprints marked with the Sacred Blood of
Christ, and thou dost bedew them with abundant tears."

5. ''0 bitter Wounds of Christ, be ye deeply implanted
in our hearts, that we may be ever mindful to seek earnestly
the reward of our redemption. ' '

6. **0 loving Trinity, may the whole fabric of the uni-
verse prostrate adore Thee, and we, renewed by Thy grace,
would sing Thee a new song of praise. ' '

145 Corpus domas jejuniis

CORPUS domas jejuniis, T ONG fasting hath thy body

Caedis cruento verbere, •"-' tamed,

Ut castra pcenitentiimi With many cruel stripes it bleeds,

Miles sequaris innocens. Though innocence exemption

claimed
For thee from penitential deeds.

309

PROPER OF SAINTS

^Sequamur et nos sedulo
Gressus parentis optimi,
Sequamur, ut licentiam
Carnis refrasnet spiritus.

'Rigente bruma, providum
Praebes amictum pauperi,
Sitim famemque egentiiun
Esca potuque sublevas.

*0 qui negasti nemini
Opera roganti, patrium
Regnum tuere, postulant
Gives Poloni, et exteri.

'Sit laus Patri, sit Filio,
Tibique, sancte Spiritus;
Preces Joannis impetrent
Beata nobis gaudia.

Then let us follow in the path
Of John, our father and our guide ;
Who follows him, his spirit hath
The power to curb all carnal pride.

In winter's frost thy loving care
Provides a garment for the poor;
For those who want thou dost

prepare
Of meat and drink a copious store.

0 thou who never didst deny
Thine aid unto the suppliant's

prayer,
Hear Christendom's and Poland's

cry.
And save thy country from

despair.

Now let us chant in glad refrain
Unto the Triune God our praise:
O may the prayers of John obtain
Blest joys for us in endless days.

Author: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Wallace, O.S.B. There are four
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins on the
Feast of St. John Cantius.

1. ''Thou didst subdue thy body with fasts, and with
bloody blows didst lacerate it, that as an innocent soldier
thou mightest follow the army of penitents."

2. "Let us also follow diligently in the footsteps of the
good father: let us follow, that the spirit may restrain
the licentiousness of the flesh."

3. "During the cold winter thou offerest to the poor the
kindly provided garment, and with food and drink thou
dost alleviate the thirst and hunger of the needy." St.
John not only gave away his food and clothing, but on one
occasion at least he even gave away his shoes and walked
home barefooted (Matins, Lectio V).

4. "0 thou who didst refuse assistance to no one asking
for it, the Polish nation and strangers beseech thee that
thou protect thy native kingdom."

310

ST. JOHN CANTIUS

5. '* Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to Thee,
Holy Spirit : may the prayers of John obtain for us blessed
joys."

146

Te deprecante, corporum

TE deprecante, corporum
Lues recedit, iraprobi
Morbi fugantur, pristina
Redeunt salutis munera.

^Phthisi, febrique, et ulcere
Diram redactos ad necem,
Sacratis morti victimas,
Ejus rapis e faucibus.

'Te deprecante, tumido
Merces abactae flumine,
Tractas Dei potentia
Sursura fluunt retrogradae.

*Cum tanta possis, sedibus
Cceli locatus, poscimus:
Responde votis supplicura,
Et invocatus subveni.

""O una semper Trinitas,
0 trina semper Unitas:
Da, supplicante Cantio,
Sterna nobis preemia.

WHEN thou dost pray thy
mighty prayer,
Disorders flee, and plagues abate.
And bodies, wasting in disease,
Regain at once their healthful
state.

When phthisis, fevers, ulcers dire,
Have brought men to their latest

breath,
When they are mourned as victims

doomed.
Thou tak'st them from the jaws of

death.

Thou pray'st; and goods, which

down the stream
Are hurried on at headlong pace.
Drawn by the mighty hand of

God,
Float upwards, and their source

retrace.

Do thou, who canst such wonders

work.
Now from thy throne in heaven

deign
To listen to our suppliant prayers,
That we may answering help

obtain.

0 Trinity forever One,
0 Unity forever Trine,
That we may gain eternal joys.
To Cantius' prayer Thine ear
incline.

Author: Unknown, 18th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Archbishop Bagshawe; this is a good
specimen of Bagshawe 's style. There are five translations.

311

PROPER OF SAINTS

Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of St. John
Cantius.

1. *'At thy prayer bodily sickness departs, dreadful
plagues are put to flight, former blessings of health re-
turn."

2. ''Thou dost snatch from his very jaws the victims
devoted to death — those brought nigh to a dire death by
consumption, fever, and ulcer."

3. ''At thy prayer, goods carried away by a swollen
stream, are, by the mighty hand of God, drawn backwards,
floating up the stream."

4. ' ' Since thou, now dwelling in the mansions of heaven,
art able to do such wonders, we ask that thou give heed to
the prayers of thy suppliants, and aid them when invoked. ' '

5. " 0 Trinity forever One, 0 Unity forever Three : grant
ua through the intercession of Cantius an eternal reward. ' '

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS

Nov. 1

147

Placare, Christe, servuUs

PLACARE, Christe, servuHs,
Quibus Patris clementiam
Tuas ad tribunal gratiae
Patrona Virgo postulat.

*Et vos beata, per novem
Distincta gyros agtnina,
Antiqua cum praesentibus,
Futura damna pellite.

0 CHRIST, Thy guilty people
spare!
Lo, kneeling at Thy gracious

throne,
Thy Virgin-Mother pours her

prayer.
Imploring pardon for her own.

Ye Angels, happy evermore!
Who in your circles nine ascend.
As ye have guarded us before.
So still from harm our steps
defend.

^Apostoli cum Vatibus,
Apud severum Judicem,
Veris reorum fletibus
Exposcite indulgentiam.

Ye Prophets and Apostles high!
Behold our penitential tears;
And plead for us when death is

nigh,
And our all-searching Judge

appears.

312

ALL SAINTS

*Vo9 purpurati Martyres,
Vos candidati praemio
Confessionis, exsules
Vocate nos in patriam.

° Chorea casta Virginum,
Et quos eremus incolas
Transmisit astris, coelitum
Locate nos in sedibus.

• Auferte g«item perfidam
Credentium de finibus,
Ut unus omnes unicum
Ovile nos pastor regat.

^ Deo Patri sit gloria,
Natoque Patris unico,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.

Ye Martyrs all! a purple band,
And Confessors, a white-robed

train ;
Oh, call us to our native land.
From this our exile, back again.

And ye, 0 choirs of Virgins

chaste!
Receive us to your seats on high;
With Hermits whom the desert

waste
Sent up of old into the sky.

Drive from the flock, 0 Spirit

blest!
The false and faithless race away;
That all within one fold may rest.
Secure beneath one Shepherd's

sway.

To God the Father glory be.
And to His sole-begotten Son;
And glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While everlasting ages run.

Author: Ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856).
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall.
There are seven translations. Liturgical. Use : Hymn for
Vespers. First line of Original Text: Christe Redemptor
omnium.

1. '*Be merciful, 0 Christ, to Thy servants, for whom
the Virgin-Patroness implores the mercy of the Father at
the throne of Thy grace."

2. *'And ye, 0 blessed hosts, divided into nine circles
(choirs), drive away past, present, and future evils."

3. **Ye Apostles, together with the Prophets, earnestly
entreat forgiveness of the severe Judge, on account of the
sincere tears of the guilty. ' '

4. ''Ye purple-robed Martyrs, and ye who are white-
robed on account of your confession, call us exiles to our
native land." Confessionis: Confessors "confess their
faith ' ' by the practice of heroic virtue. Read the article on
Confessor, in the Cath. Encycl. Candidatus, the Saints in
general are styled "white-robed" (Cf. Apoc. 7, 9-14).

313

PROPER OF SAINTS

5. **Ye chaste choir of Virgins, and ye whom the desert
waste hath sent as dwellers to heaven, establish us in the
mansions of the Blessed."

6. "Drive away the faithless race from the land of the
faithful, that one Shepherd may rule over us all as over
one fold."

''When the celebration of All Saints was extended to
the Frankish empire in 825, after having been observed in
Rome for two centuries, and its celebration fixed on the
1st of November, the verse Gentem auferte perfidam
Credentium de finibus was added to the hymn with refer-
ence to the Normans and Saracens who were laying waste
both the northwest of Gaul and the south of Italy" {The
Roman Breviary its Sources and History, by Dom Jules
Baudot, O.S.B., p. 68).

148

Salutis (Bternce dator

SALUTIS aeternas dator,
Jesu, redemptis subveni:
Virgo parens clementiae
Dona salutem servulis.

"Vos Angelorum millia,
Patrumque coetus, agmina
Canora Vatum: vos reis
Precamini indulgentiam.

^Baptista Christi praevius,
Summique coeli Claviger,
Cum ceteris Apostolis
Nexus resolvant criminum.

*Cohors triumphans Martyrum,
Almus Sacerdotum chorus,
Et virginalis castitas
Nostros reatus abluant.

GIVER of life, eternal Lord!
Thy own redeemed defend;
Mother of grace! thy children

save.
And help them to the end.

Ye thousand thousand Angel

hosts !
Assist us in our need;
Ye Patriarchs! with the Prophet

choir !
For our forgiveness plead.

Forerunner blest! and Thou who

still
Dost heaven's dread keys retain!
Ye glorious Apostles all!
Unloose our guilty chain.

Army of Martyrs! holy Priests
In beautiful array!
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste!
Wash all our stains away.

314

ALL SAINTS

•''Quicumque in alta siderum All ye who high above the stars

Regnatis aula principes, In heavenly glory reign!

Favete votis supplicum, May we through your prevailing

Qui dona cceli flagitant. prayers

Unto your joys attain.

* Virtus, honor, laus, gloria Praise, honor, to the Father be,

Deo Patri cum Filio, Praise to His only Son;

Sancto simul Paraclito, Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,

In sseculorum saecula. While endless ages run.

Author: Ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856).
Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall.
There are eight translations. First two lines of Original
Text : Jesu Salvator smculi Redemptis ope suhveni. There
is another form of this text beginning : F estiva smclis coli-
tur. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of
All Saints.

1. *'0 Jesus, giver of eternal life, aid those whom Thou
hast redeemed : 0 Virgin, Mother of mercy, grant salvation
to thy servants." Bona: obtain through thy intercession.

2. * ' 0 ye thousands of Angels, ye assembly of Patriarchs,
and melodious host of Prophets, ask forgiveness for sin-
ners." The Prophets are called canorous or melodious on
account of the poetical nature of the language they fre-
quently use.

3. "May the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, may the
key-bearer of heaven, together with the other Apostles
loosen the chains of our sins." The key-bearer is St.
Peter: Et tibi dabo claves regni ccelorum (Matt. 16, 19).

4. "May the triumphant host of Martyrs, the august
ohoir of priests and virginal chastity wash away our guilt. ' '
Virginalis castitas = virgines castae.

5. "All ye who reign as princes in the hi^ court of
heaven, give ear to the prayers of the suppliants who ask
earnestly for the gifts of heaven."

315

Part IV

tS^t Common of tfie i^atntK
COMMON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

149

AVE maris Stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix coeli porta.

^Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevae nomen.

' Solve vincla reis.
Prefer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle.
Bona cuncta posce.

*Monstra te esse matrem,
Smnat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.

'Virgo singularis.
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos.

*Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.

Ave Maris Stella

\ VE, Star of Ocean,
-^^ Child Divine who barest.
Mother, Ever-Virgin,
Heaven's Portal fairest.

Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva's name reversing,
Be of peace the token.

Break the sinners' fetters.
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.

Show thyself a Mother
In thy supplication;
He will hear who chose thee
At His Incarnation.

Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly.
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.

As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavor.
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.

317

COMMON OF SAINTS

'Sit laus Deo Patri, Father, Son, and Spirit,

Summo Christo decus. Three in One confessing,

Spiritui sancto, Give we equal glory

Tribus honor unus. Equal praise and blessing.

Author : Unknown. It is at least as old as the 9th cent.
Meter: Trochaic dimeter, each verse being composed of
three trochees. There are nineteen translations, two of
which are given here. Liturgical Use: Vespers hymn on
Feasts of Our Lady.

The fine translation given above was made by Mr. Athel-
stan Riley, M.A., for his translation of the Hours of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, ''Little Office," 1891.

The beautiful translation given below is from the pen
of the Rev. G. R. Woodward, M.A. It is a new transla-
tion, and by the kindess of its author it is here published
for the first time.

There is an article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl.

1. ''Hail, Star of the Sea, loving Mother of God, and
Ever- Virgin, happy Gate of Heaven ! ' ' The name Mary is
derived from the Hebrew ' ' Miriam, ' ' which signifies ' ' Star
of the Sea"; in Chaldaic it means "Lady." Cceli porta:
By her powerful intercession with her Divine Son she
opens for sinners the gates of heaven. Ave: Ave gratia
plena: Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulieribus (Luke
1, 28). Read the first of the two articles on Anmmciation,
in the Cath. Encycl. Of. also Luke 1, 26-38.

2. "Receiving that Ave from the mouth of Gabriel, es-
tablish us in peace, reversing the name of Eva." Heva
= Eva, which "reversed" gives Ave.

3. "Break the chains of sinners, give light to the blind,
drive away evils, ask for all that's good." Vincla for
vincula. Ccecis, to those who are spiritually blind, who
have eyes and see not (cf. Ps. 134, 16).

4. ' ' Show thyself to be a Mother ; through thee may He
receive our prayers — He who, born for us, deigned to be
thy Son." Tuus (Filius).

5. "Virgin all-excelling, meek above all others, make us,
freed from sin, meek and chaste."

6. "Preserve our life unspotted, make safe our way,
that, seeing Jesus, we may rejoice together forever."

318

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

7. **To God the Father be praise, to Christ most high
be glory, and to the Holy Spirit, to the Three be one
honor." Vnus, equal, the same.

149B Ave Maris Stella

HAIL, Sea-Star we name thee,
Ever-Maid acclaim thee,
God His Mother, Portal
To the life immortal.

Ave was the token
By the Angel spoken:
Peace on earth it telleth,
EvcCs name re-spelleth.

Free the worldly-minded
Luminate the blinded.
Every ill repressing.
Win us every blessing.

Plead, and play the Mother!
He will, and none other.
Born for our salvation.
Hear thy supplication.

Maiden meek and lowly,
Singularly holy.
Loose the sins that chain us;
Sanctify, sustain us.

Help us live in pureness,
Smooth our way with sureness.
Till we also eye Thee,
Jesu, ever nigh Thee.

Father, Son, we bless Thee,
Likewise do confess Thee,
Holy Spirit, Trinal,
Onely, first and final,

150 Quern terra, pontus, sidera

UEM terra, pontus, sidera T^HE God whom earth, and sea,
Colunt, adorant, praedicant -■- and sky

Adore, and laud, and magnify,

319

COMMON OF SAINTS

Trinam regentem machinam,
Claustrum Marise bajulat.

^ Cui luna, sol, et omnia
Deserviunt per tempora,
Perfusa coeli gratia,
Gestant puellae viscera.

' Beata Mater munere,
Cujus supernus artifex
Mundum pugillo continens,
Ventris sub area clausus est.

* Beata coeli nuntio,
Fcecunda sancto Spiritu,
Desideratus gentibus,
Cujus per alvum fusus est.

'Jesu tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

Who o'er their threefold fabric
reigns,

The Virgin's spotless womb con-
tains.

The God, whose will by moon and

sun
And all things in due course is

done,
Is borne upon a Maiden's breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possest,

How blest that Mother, in whose

shrine
The great Artificer Divine,
Whose hand contains the earth

and sky.
Vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie.

Blest, in the message Gabriel

brought;
Blest, by the work the Spirit

wrought ;
From whom the Great Desire of

earth
Took human flesh and human

birth.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
0 Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.

Author: Ascribed to Fortunatus (530-609). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale. There are
eighteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins
on Feasts of the Blessed Virgin which have no proper hymn
for Matins. The Original Text has cethera for sidera in the
first line. This is the only point of difference between the
Original and the Revised Texts. The hymn for Lauds is a
continuation of this hymn. The texts differ in several in-
stances.

1. *'The womb of Mary carried the Ruler of the triple
kingdom, Him, whom earth, and sea, and sky honor, adore
and praise." Trina machina may refer either to ** terra,

320

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

pontus, sethera," or to the threefold rule of Christ over
"those that are in heaven, on earth, or under the earth"
(Philip. 2, 10). Claustrum, lit., a bolt, bar; by meton., an
enclosure.

2. "The womb of a Virgin, filled with the grace of
Heaven, bears Him to whom the moon and sun and all
things are, at all times, subject." Spiritus Sanctus super-
veniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi (Luke 1,
35).

3. "0 Mother, blessed by a (singular) gift, in the ark of
whose womb was enclosed the heavenly Creator, who holds
the universe in the hollow of His hand." Munus, the singu-
lar privilege of being the Mother of God. Mundum pugillo
continens: Quis mensus est pugillo aquas, et coelos palmo
ponderavit? quis appendit tribus digitis molem terrse,
et libravit in pondere montes, et colles in statera? (Is. 40,
12). Constr. : Sub cujus area ventris clausus est.

4. "Blessed by the message of Heaven, overshadowed
by the Holy Spirit, out of whose womb came forth the De-
sired of Nations." Nuntium, i, a message; here, the An-
nunciation (Luke 1, 26-38). Desideratus gentihus: Et
veniet Desideratus cunctis gentibus (Aggeus 2, 8).

151 O gloriosa virginum

OGLORIOSA virginura, r\ GLORIOUS Lady! throned

Sublimis inter sidera, ^^ on high

Qui te creavit, parvulum Above the star-illumined sky;

Lactente nutris ubere. Thereto ordained, thy bosom lent

To thy Creator nourishment.

*Quod Heva tristis abstulit. Through thy sweet Offspring we

Tu reddis almo germine: receive

Intrent ut astra flebiles, The bliss once lost through

Ceeli recludis cardines. hapless Eve;

And heaven to mortals open lies
Now thou art Portal of the skies.

'Tu regis alti janua, Thou art the Door of heaven's

Et aula lucis fulgida: high King,

Light's Gateway fair and glister-
ing;
321

COMMON OF SAINTS

Vitam datam per Virginem
Gentes redemptae plaudite.

*Jesu, tibi sit gloria.
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

Life through a Virgin is restored;
Ye ransomed nations, praise the
Lord!

All honor, laud, and glory be,
0 Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet.
To Father and to Paraclete.

This hymn is a continuation of the preceding hymn.
Translation by J. W. Doran and M. J. Blacker. There are
fourteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds
on Feasts of Our Lady. First line of Original Text: 0
gloriosa Femina (or Domina).

1. **0 most glorious of Virgins, the most exalted among
the Blessed, Him who created thee thou didst nourish as
a Child at thy maternal breast." Sidera, all created
heavenly beings.

2. "What hapless Eve deprived us of, thou, by thy be-
loved Offspring, didst restore: that those who weep may
enter heaven, open thou the door thereof." Car do, a hinge,
by synec, a door, gate.

3. "Thou art the Door of the great King, the refulgent
Hall of light: sing, 0 redeemed nations, the Life given us
through a Virgin." Vitam = Christum. Plaudite, ap-
plaud, here used transitively.

152

Memento, rerum Conditor

MEMENTO, rerum Conditor,
Nostri quod olim corporis,
Sacrata ab alvo Virginis
Nascendo formam sumpseris.

'Maria Mater gratiae,
Dulcis Parens clementiae,
Tu nos ab hoste protege,
Et mortis hora suscipe.

REMEMBER, 0 Creator Lord,
That in the Virgin's sacred
womb
Thou wast conceived, and of her

flesh
Didst our mortality assume.

Mother of grace, 0 Mary blest.
To thee, sweet fount of love, we

fly;

Shield us through life, and take

us hence
To thy dear bosom when we die.

822

APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS

'Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna ssecula.

O Jesu, born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to Thee;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally.

This hymn is from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.
The first stanza is from Hymn 38 ; the second is a continua-
tion of the two preceding hymns. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall.

1. ''Remember, O Creator of the world, that Thou didst
once assume the form of our body, by being born of the
sacred womb of a Virgin."

2. **Mary, Mother of grace, sweet Mother of mercy, pro-
tect us from the enemy, and receive us in the hour of
death."

COMMON OF APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS

153

OUT OP EASTERTmE

Exultet orbis gaudiis

EXULTET orbis gaudiis:
Ccelum resultet laudibus:
Apostolorum gloriam
Tellus et astra concinimt.

'Vos saeculorum judices,
Et vera mundi lumina:
Votis precamur cordium,
Audite voces supplicum.

'Qui templa coeli clauditis,
Serasque verbo solvitis,
Nos a reatu noxios
Solvi jubete, quaesumus.

NOW let the earth with joy
resound,
And heaven the chant re-echo

round ;
Nor heaven nor earth too high can

raise
The great Apostles' glorious
praise.

0 ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the

dead.
Lights of the world forevermore!
To you the suppliant prayer we

pour.

Ye close the sacred gates on high;
At your command apart they fly:
Oh! loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break, and strive in

vam.

323

COMMON OF SAINTS

* Prascepta quorum protinus Sickness and health your voice
Languor salusque sentiunt: obey;

Sanate mentes languidas; At your command they go or stay:

Augete nos virtutibus. From sin's disease our souls

restore;
In good confirm us more and
more.

" Ut, cum redibit arbiter So when the world is at its end,

In fine Christus saeculi, And Christ to judgment shall

Nos sempiterni gaudii descend,

Concedat esse compotes. May we be called those joys to

see
Prepared from all eternity.

* Patri, simulque Filio, Praise to the Father, with the Son,
Tibique sancte Spiritus, And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
Sicut fuit, sit jugiter As ever was in ages past,
Sseclum per omne gloria. And so shall be while ages last.

Author: Unknown, 10th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are ten transla-
tions. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and Lauds.
First line of Original Text : Exultet caelum laudibus. For
the hymns of the Apostles and Evangelists in Eastertide,
see Hymns 63 and 64.

1. **Let the earth exult with joy, let the heavens re-
echo with praise ; earth and heaven together sing the glory
of the Apostles."

2. '*Ye judges of mankind and true lights of the world,
we beseech you with the yearnings of our hearts : give ear
to the prayers of your suppliants." Judices: The Apostles
are to judge the world (cf. Matt. 19, 28). Lumina: Vos
estis lux mundi (Matt. 5, 14). They were to enlighten by
their doctrine a world sunk in the darkness of sin and er-
ror.

3. **Ye who close the heavenly mansions, and with a
word can unfasten their bolts, command, we beseech you,
that we sinners be freed from our guilt." Sera, a bar or
bolt for fastening a door. Quaecumque alligaveritis super
terram, erunt ligata et in cobIo: et quaBcumque solveritis
super terram, erunt soluta et in coelo (Matt. 18, 18). Nos:
constr. — Jubete, nos noxios solvi a reatu.

324

APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS

4. **Ye whose commands sickness and health forthwith
obey, heal our languishing souls, enrich us with virtues."

5. ' ' That when Christ shall come again, as Judge, at the
end of the world, He may grant that we become possessed
of eternal happiness."

154

Sterna Christi munera

AETERNA Christi munera,
Apostolorum gloriam,
Palmas et hymnos debit03
Lsetis canamus mentibus.

* Ecclesiarum Principes,
Belli triumphales duces
Coelestis aulae milites,
Et vera mundi lumina.

^Devota sanctorum fides,
Invicta spes credentium,
Perfecta Christi caritas
Mimdi tyrannum conterit.

*In his Paterna gloria,
In his triumphal Filius,
In his voluntas Spiritus,
Ccelum repletur gaudio.

'Patri, simulque Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus,
Sicut fuit, sit jugiter
Sseclum per omne gloria.

THH' eternal gifts of Christ the
■*■ King,

The Apostles' glory, let us sing;
And all with hearts of gladness

raise
Due hymns of thankful love and

praise.

For they the Church's Princes are.
Triumphant leaders in the war,
The heavenly King's own warrior

band,
True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of

Saints,
The hope that never yields nor

faints,
The love of Christ in perfect glow.
That lay the prince of this world

low.

In them the Father's glory shone,
In them the Spirit's will was done,
The Son Himself exults in them;
Joy fills the new Jerusalem.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last.

Author: St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter t Iambic
dimeter. Translation based on Neale. There are thirteen
translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Matins on feasts
of the Apostles and Evangelists. This hymn was origi-

325

COMMON OF SAINTS

nally written for feasts of Martyrs. In its complete form
it contained eight stanzas. The hymn Christum profusum
sanguinem, for Martyrs in Paschaltide, is a part of the
Sterna Christi munera. The above hynm consists of
stanzas 1, 2, 6, 7, of the original.

1. ''Let us sing with joyful hearts songs of triumph
and becoming hymns, let us sing the glory of the Apostles,
and the eternal gifts of Christ.*' The construction in this
stanza is unusual. Canamus is the predicate of the whole
stanza. P almas: fig., victories; here, hymns of victory.

2. ''They are the princes of the Church, the triumphant
leaders of the war, the soldiers of the heavenly court, and
the true lights of the world."

3. "The steadfast faith of the Saints, the unyielding
hope of believers, the perfect charity of Christ trample
under foot the tyrant of the world. ' ' Tyramnum, the devil.

4. "In them triumphs the glory of the Father; in them
triumphs the Son; in them the will of the Holy Spirit is
accomplished, and heaven is filled with joy. ' '

COMMON OF ONE MARTYR

OUT OF EASTERTmE

155 Deus tuorum militum

DEUS tuorum militum r\ GOD, of those that fought Thy

Sors, et corona, praemium, ^-^ fight,
Laudes canentes Martyris Portion, and prize, and crown of

Absolve nexu criminis. light,

Break every bond of sin and shame
As now we praise Thy Martyr's
name.

* Hie nempe mundi gaudia, He recked not of the world's

Et blanda fraudum pabula allure,

Imbuta f elle deputans, But sin and pomp of sin forswore :

Pervenit ad coelestia. Knew all their gall, and passed

them by,
And reached the throne prepared
on high.

326

ONE MARTYR

^ Poenas cucurrit f ortiter, Bravely the course of pain he ran,

Et sustulit viriliter, And bare his torments as a man:

Fundensque pro te sanguinem, For love of Thee his blood
Sterna dona possidet. outpoured,

And thus obtained the great
reward.

* Ob hoc precatu supplici With humble voice and suppliant

Te poscimus, piissime; word

In hoc triumpho Martyris We pray Thee therefore, holy

Dimitte noxam servulis. Lord,

While we Thy Martyr's feast-day

keep,
Forgive Thy loved and erring
sheep.

^Laus et perennis gloria Glory and praise for aye be done

Patri sit, atque Filio, To God the Father, and the Son,

Sancto simul Paraclito, And Holy Ghost, who reign on

In sempiterna saecula. high.

One God, to all eternity.

Author! Ambrosian, 6th cent. Metee: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Alan G. McDougall. There are sixteen
translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers. There
is a longer form of this hymn in thirty-two lines. The
translations are practically all from the Roman Breviary
Text.

1. ''0 God, Thou who art the portion, the crown, and
the reward of Thy soldiers, absolve from the chains of sin
those singing the praises of Thy Martyr."

2. "He, indeed, regarding as imbued with bitterness the
joys of the world and the seductive pleasures of sin, hath
attained heavenly joys." Pabulum, food; anything pleas-
ing to the taste or senses.

3. "He bravely ran the way of torture, and suffered
manfully; and shedding his blood for Thee, he now pos-
sesses Thy eternal gifts." Poenas cucurrit, a poetical
constr., the accusative in answer to the question whither.

4. "Wherefore we beseech Thee, most loving God, with
suppliant prayer, in consequence of the triumph of Thy
Martyr, forgive Thy servants' sins." Oh hoc = quam ob
rem. In hoc triumpho: This refers to the feast day of the

327

COMMON OF SAINTS

Martyr; the hymn is sung on each anniversary of the
Martyr's triumph.

156

Invicte Martyr, unicum

INVICTE Martyr, unicum
Patris secutus Filium,
Victis triumphas hostibus,
Victor fruens ccelestibus.

* Tui precatus munere
Nostrum reatum dilue,
Arcens mali contagium,
Vitae repellens tsedium.

^Soluta sunt jam vincula
Tui sacrati corporis:
Nos solve yinclis saeculi,
Dono superni Numinis.

* Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ejusque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclitos
Nunc, et per omne saeculum.

MARTYR of God, whose
strength was steeled
To follow close God's only Son,
Well didst thou brave thy battle-
field,
And well thy heavenly bliss was
won!

Now join thy prayers with ours,
who pray

That God may pardon us and
bless;

For prayer keeps evil's plague
away,

And draws from life its weari-
ness.

Long, long ago, were loosed the

chains
That held thy body once in thrall;
For us how many a bond remains !
0 love of God release us all.

All praise to God the Father be,
All praise to Thee, Eternal Son;
All praise, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While never-ending ages run.

Author: Unknown, 10th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Percy Dearmer. There are twelve trans-
lations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds in the Common
of one Martyr. First line of Original Text: Martyr Dei,
qui unicum.

1. **0 unconquered Martyr, thou who didst follow the
only-begotten Son of the Father, thy enemies having been
overcome, thou dost triumph, and, as victor enjoy heavenly
delights." Triumphas: The Martyr's triumph consists in
the possession and enjoyment of eternal glory.

2. '*By virtue of thy intercession wash thou our guilt

328

MANY MARTYRS

away; keep at a distance the contagion of sin, and drive
away life's weariness." Precatus (n.), prayer. Munere,
merit, favor.

3. "Loosened now are the chains of thy sacred body;
deliver us also, by the grace of the Heavenly Godhead,
from the chains of the world." Vinclis — vinculis.

COMMON OF MANY MARTYRS

IN EASTERTIDE

157

Rex gloriose Martyrum

REX gloriose Martyrum,
Corona confitentium,
Qui respuentes terrea
Perducis ad coelestia:

^Aurem benignam protinus
Intende nostris vocibus:
Trophaea sacra pangimus:
Ignosce quod deliquimus.

^Tu vincis inter Martyres,
Parcisque Confessoribus:
Tu vince nostra crimina,
Largitor indulgentiae.

*Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna ssecula.

0 GLORIOUS King of Martyr
hosts.
Thou Crown that each Confessor

boasts.
Who leadest to celestial day
Those who have cast earth's joys
away:

Thine ear in mercy, Saviour, lend,
While unto Thee our prayers

ascend;
And as we cotmt their triumphs

won.
Forgive the sins that we have done.

Martyrs in Thee their triumphs
gain,

From Thee Confessors grace ob-
tain;

O'ercome in us the lust of sin,

That we Thy pardoning love may
win.

To Thee who, dead, again dost

live.
All glory, Lord, Thy people give;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.

Author: Ambrosian, 6th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by R. F. Littledale and G. H. Palmer. There

329

COMMON OF SAINTS

are fifteen translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Lauds.
There is an article on this hymn in the Cath. Encycl. From
the references to Confessors, in this hymn, it would seem
that it was originally intended for the feasts of Martyrs
and Confessors. See the article on Martyr in the Cath.
Encycl.

1. *'0 glorious King of Martyrs and Crown of Con-
fessors, who leadest to heavenly things those who despise
the things of earth. ' '

2. ' ' Turn quickly a gracious ear to our prayers ; we sing
of sacred victories; pardon what we have done amiss."
TrophcBum, lit., a trophy, a monument of victory; by
meton., the victory itself.

3. ''In the Martyrs Thou dost conquer, and Thou dost
spare the Confessors : 0 dispenser of mercy, conquer Thou
our sins.'* Inter — per. The Martyrs are the faithful
soldiers of Christ, who conquers in their victories, as a
general conquers in the achievements of his army. The
Confessors are ''spared," i.e., they are not called to shed
their blood for Christ.

158 Christo profusum sanguinem

CHRISTO profusum sangui- THHE Martyrs' triumphs let us
nem, ^ sing,

Et Martyrum victorias, Their blood poured forth for

Dignamque coelo lauream Christ the King,

Lsetis sequamur vocibus. And while due hymns of praise

we pay,
Our thankful hearts cast grief
away.

^Terrore victo sseculi, The world its terrors urged in

Poenisque spretis corporis, vain;

Mortis sacrae compendio They recked not of the body's

Vitam beatam possident. pain;

One step, and holy death made

sure
The life that ever shall endure.

^Traduntur igni Martyres, To flames the Martyr Saints are

Et bestiarum dentibus: hailed;

By teeth of savage beasts assailed ;

330

MANY MARTYRS

Armata saevit ungulis Against them, armed with ruthless

Tortoris insani manus. brand

And hooks of steel, their torturers
stand.

*Nudata pendent viscera: The mangled frame is tortured

Sanguis sacratus funditur: sore,

Sed permanent immol?iles The holy life-drops freshly pour;

Vitae perennis gratia. They stand unmoved amidst the

strife,
By grace of everlasting life.

* Te nunc Redemptor quaesumus. Redeemer, hear us of Thy love,

Ut Martyrum consortio That, with the Martyr host above,

Jungas precantes servulos Hereafter, of Thine endless grace,

In sempiterna saecula. Thy servants also may have place.

Author: St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. M. Neale and others. This hymn is a
cento from the hymn Sterna Christi mmiera; the first
stanza was added by the revisers of the hymns under Pope
Urban VIII, 1632. There are eight translations of the
Roman Brev. Text, and five, in part or entire, of the origi-
nal hymn. Liturgical Use: Matins hymn for Many Mar-
tyrs in Eastertide.

1. ^'Let us with gladsome voices sing of the blood shed
for Christ, of the victories of the Martyrs, and the laurels
worthy of heaven." Sequi, lit., to follow, accompany.
Lcetis sequamur vocibus, Let us follow with joyous songs,
etc.

2. "Having overcome the terrors of the world and de-
spised the pains of the body, by the brief torments ac-
companying a holy death, they now possess a happy life.'*
Compendio: The Martyrs acquire in a brief space what
others obtain in a lifetime.

3. ''The Martyrs are delivered over to the flames and to
the teeth of wild beasts ; armed with hooks, the hand of the
mad torturer rages." Ungula, a torturer's claw-shaped
hook.

4. "Their entrails laid bare protrude, their holy blood is
poured forth ; but by the grace of eternal life they remain
steadfast."

331

COMMON OF SAINTS

5. **Now, 0 Redeemer, we beseech Thee, that Thou unite
forever Thy suppliant servants with the company of the
Martyrs.'*

COMMON OF MANY MARTYRS

159

OUT OF EASTERTIDE

Sanctorum mentis

SANCTORUM meritis inclyta
gaudia
Pangamus socii, gestaque fortia:
Gliscens fert animus promere

cantibus
Victorum genus optimum.

fatue mundus

floribus

sunt, quos

abhorruit ;
Hunc fructu vacuum,

aridum
Conterapsere tui nominis asseclae
Jesu Rex bone ccelitum.

^Hi pro te furias, atque minas

truces
Calcarunt hominum, saevaque ver-

bera:
His cessit lacerans fortiter un-

gula,
Nee carpsit penetralia.

*Caeduntur gladiis more biden-

tium:
Non murmur resonat, non queri-

monia;
Sed corde impavido mens bene

conscia
Conservat patientiam.

SING, 0 Sons
sounding

praise

of the Church
the Martyrs'

God's true soldiers applaud, who,
in their weary days.

Won bright trophies of good, glad
be the voice ye raise.

While these heroes of Christ ye
sing!

They, while yet in the world were

by the world abhorred;
Felt how fading the joys, fleeting

the wealth it stored;
Spurned all pleasure for Thee, and

at Thy call, 0 Lord,
Came forth strong in Thy Name,

as King.

Lord, how bravely they bore fury
and pain for Thee!

Scourge, rod, sword, and the rack
strongly endured; but free

Sang out, bold in Thy love, long-
ing on high to be;

Earth's might never their souls
could bend.

While they, shedding their blood,

victims for Jesus fell,
No sound out of their lips came of

their throes to tell;
Bowed low, patient and meek,

loving the Lord so well,
Turned they still to the Christ,

their Friend.

332

MANY MARTYRS

'Quae vox, quae poterit lingua What joys, bright with the blood
retexere, shed for thy love they

Quae tu Martyribus munera prae- share,

paras? Those brave Martyrs of Thine

Rubri nam fluido sanguine fulgi- crowned with Thy laurels

dis rare;

Cingunt tempora laurels. Man's tongue never can tell, never

can half declare.
How pure now is their bliss above!

*Te summa o Deltas, unaque Yet we, Father on high, God of

poscimus; eternal might,

Ut culpas abigas, noxia sub- Lift weak voices in prayer asking

trahas, for peace and light;

Des pacem famulis, ut tibi Cleanse Thou out of our hearts

gloriam every stain and blight,

Annorum in seriem canant. So our songs may be songs of love.

Author: Unknown, 8th cent. Meter; Asclepiadic and
Glyconic. Translation by D. J. Donahoe. There are thir-
teen translations. Liturgical Use : Vespers Hymn. There
is an exceptionally interesting article on the Sanctorum
meritis, in the Cath. Encycl. J. M. Neale's translation,
which is found in most hymn books, is in the Baltimore
Manual of Prayers, p. 651.

1. **Let us sing, 0 companions, the heroic deeds of the
Saints and the glorious delights merited by them: the soul
glowing with zeal strives to celebrate in song the noblest
kind of conquerors."

2. *' These are they whom the world foolishly abhorred;
but, 0 Jesus, good King of the Blessed, the followers of
Thy Name despised the world as void of fruit and parched
of flowers." Hunc, sc, mundum.

3. "For Thy sake they despised the rage, the savage
threats, and the brutal blows of men: the fiercely lacerat-
ing hook yields to them, nor does it rob them of their in-
ner lives." Penetralia, the life of the soul.

4. ''Like sheep, they are slaughtered by the sword: no
murmur is heard, no complaint; but with dauntless cour-
age, the soul self-possessed preserves its patience."

5. "What voice, what tongue can recount the gifts which
Thou dost prepare for Thy Martyrs'? For, red with flow-

333

COMMON OF SAINTS

ing blood they bind their temples with resplendent laurels."
6. * * We beseech Thee, 0 supreme and only Godhead, that
Thou banish our sins from Thy sight, drive away all evils,
and grant peace to Thy servants, that they may sing glory
to Thee forever."

COMMON OF CONFESSORS

160

Iste Confessor

ISTE Confessor Domini colentes
Quem pie laudant populi per
orbem :
Hac die laetus meruit beatas
Scandere sedes.

'Qui pius, prudens, humilis,

pudicus,

Sobriam duxit sine labe vitam.

Donee humanos animavit aurae

Spiritus artus.

'Cujus ob praestans meritum
frequenter,
i^gra quae passim jacuere mem-
bra,
Viribus morbi domitis, saluti
Restituuntur.

*Noster hinc illi chorus obsequen-
tem
Concinit laudem, celebresque

palmas;
Ut piis ejus precibus juvemur
Omne per aevum.

THIS the Confessor of the Lord,
whose triumph
Now all the faithful celebrate,

with gladness
Erst on this feast-day merited to
enter

Into his glory.

Saintly and prudent, modest in

behavior.
Peaceful and sober, chaste was he,

and lowly.
While that life's vigor, coursing

through his members,

Quickened his being.

Sick ones of old time, to his tomb

resorting.
Sorely by ailments manifold

afflicted,
Oft-times have welcomed health

and strength returning.
At his petition.

Whence we in chorus gladly do

him honor,
Chanting his praises with devout

affection,
That in his merits we may have a

portion.
Now and forever.

334

CONFESSORS

'Sit salus illi, decus, atque virtus, His be the glory, power and
Qui super coeli solio coruscans, salvation,

Totius mundi seriem gubernat Who over all things reigneth in
Trinus et unus. the highest,

Earth's mighty fabric ruling and
directing,
Onely and Trinal.

Author: Unknown, 8tli cent. Meter: Sapphic and
Adonic. Translation, a cento from The Hymner. There
are twelve translations. First line of Original Text: Iste
Confessor Domini sacratus. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Vespers and Matins on Feasts of Confessors Bishops, and
Confessors not Bishops. Read the article on Confessor, in
the Cath. Encycl.

1. ''This Confessor of the Lord, whom reverent nations
throughout the world lovingly venerate, merited on this
day to ascend with joy to the blest abodes." Hac die, i.e.,
the Feast Day of the Saint, the day of his death. If it is
not the day of the Saint's death, the last two lines are
changed thus :

Hac die laetus meruit supremos
Laudis honores.

"On this day "merited with joy the highest honors of
praise." Scandere = ascendere.

2. "Pious, prudent, humble, and chaste, he led a sober
life, without stain, as long as the breath of life animated his
human members. ' ' Humanos artus, his body, frame. Spiri-
tus aurcB, lit., a breath of air. Read St. Paul's conception of
a Bishop (1 Tim. esp. 3, 2).

3. "On account of his eminent merits it often happens
that members (the faithful) lying sick in various places,
are restored to health, the violence of their disease being
overcome." Membra saluti restituuntur = membris salus
restituitur.

4. "Wherefore to him does our choir sing gracious
praises, and celebrate his victories : may we be aided by his
pious prayers throughout the ages."

5. "To Him who is resplendent on the throne of heaven,
be salvation, glory, and power; to Him who, Three and
One, ruleth the course of the whole world.

335

161

COMMON OF SAINTS
Jesu Redemptor omnium

JESU Redemptor omnium,
Perpes corona Praesulum,
In hac die clementius
Indulgeas precantibus.

'Tui sacri qua nominis
Confessor almus claruit
Hujus celebrat annua
Devota plebs solemnia,

'Qui rite mundi gaudia
Hujus caduca respuens,
i^ternitatis praemio
Potitur inter Angelos.

* Hujus benignus annua
Nobis sequi vestigia:
Hujus precatu servulis
Dimitte noxam criminis.

'Sit Christe Rex piissime
Tibi, Patrique gloria.
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculum.

JESU, the world's Redeemer,
hear;
Thy Bishops' fadeless crown, draw

near:
Accept with gentlest love to-day
The prayers and praises that we
pay.

The meek Confessor of Thy Name
To-day attained a glorious fame;
Whose yearly feast, in solemn

state,
Thy faithful people celebrate.

The world and all its boasted

good,
As vain and passing, he eschewed;
And therefore with Angelic bands.
In endless joy forever stands.

Grant then that we, most gracious

God,
May follow in the steps he trod:
And, at his prayer, Thy servants

free
From stain of all iniquity.

To Thee, 0 Christ, our loving

King,
All glory, praise, and thanks we

bring:
All glory, as is ever meet.
To Father and to Paraclete.

Author: Ambrosian, 8th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by J. D. Chambers. There are eight trans-
lations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast
of a Confessor and Bishop.

1. **0 Jesus, the Redeemer of all, the eternal crown of
Bishops, mayest Thou on this day be graciously indulgent
to Thy suppliants." Perpes, itis = perpetuus. Prcesul, a
patron, protector (post classical) ; the word had a quite
different meaning in classical Latin.

336

CONFESSORS

2. **0n this day shone resplendent the glorious Confessor
of Thy Name, whose yearly solemnity a devout people cele-
brate. ' ' Qua refers to die in the preceding stanza. Claruit,
"shone resplendent" in glory among the Saints and An-
gels.

3. ''Rightly despising the fleeting joys of this world, he
obtains an eternal reward among the Angels." Rite =
merito. Prcemium ceternitatis = prasmium aeternum.

4. ' ' Graciously allow us to follow his footsteps ; through
his intercession, forgive Thy servants the punishment
due to their sins." Annuere, grant, permit.

162

Jesu corona celsior

JESU corona celsior,
Et Veritas sublimior,
Qui confitenti servulo
Reddis perenne praemium:

' Da supplicant! coetui,
Hujus rogatu, noxii
Remissionem criminis,
Rumpendo nexum vinculi.

•Anni reverso tempore,
Dies refulsit lumine,
Quo Sanctus hie de corpore
Migravit inter sidera.

*Hic vana terras gaudia,
Et luculenta praedia,
Polluta sorde deputans,
Ovans tenet coelestia.

'Te Christe Rex piissime.
Hie confitendo jugiter,
Calcavit artes dsemonum,
Saevumque averni principem.

JESU, eternal Truth sublime,
Through endless years the
same!
Thou crown of those who through

all time
Confess Thy holy Name:

Thy suppliant people, through the

prayer
Of Thy blest Saint, forgive;
For his dear sake, Thy wrath

forbear,
And bid our spirits live.

Again returns the sacred day.
With heavenly glory bright.
Which saw him go upon his way
Into the realms of light.

All objects of our vain desire.
All earthly joys and gains.
To him were but as filthy mire;
And now with Thee he reigns.

Thee, Jesu, his all-gracious Lord,

Confessing to the last,

He trod beneath him Satan*s

fraud.
And stood forever fast.

337

COMMON OF SAINTS

•Virtute clarus, et fide, In holy deeds of faith and love,

Confessione sedulus, In fastings and in prayers.

Jejuna membra deferens. His days were spent; and now

Dapes supernas obtinet. above

Thy heavenly Feast he shares.

'Proinde te piissime Then, for his sake Thy wrath lay

Precamur omnes supplices: by,

Nobis ut hujus gratia And hear us while we pray;

Poenas remittas debitas. And pardon us, 0 Thou most

High,
On this his festal Day.

'Patri perennis gloria. All Glory to the Father be;

Natoque Patris unico, And sole Incarnate Son;

Sanctoque sit Paraclito, Praise, holy Paraclete, to Thee;

Per omne semper saeculum. While endless ages run.

Author: Ambrosian, 6th cent. Meteb: Iambic dimeter.
Translation by Father Caswall. There are eight trans-
lations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds of a Confessor
not a Bishop.

1. **0 Jesus, Thou most exalted crown, and truth most
sublime, who iDestowest an eternal reward on Thy Con-
fessor." Confitenti servulo = Confessori.

2. ''Through his intercession grant to Thy suppliant
assembly the remission of their sins, whilst Thou dost rend
asunder the bond of the chain (of sin)."

3. "The space of a year having elapsed, the day again
shines forth in its splendor, on which this Saint, leaving
his earthly body, ascended into heaven."

4. ** Considering the vain joys and showy goods of the
world as defiled with filth, he now in triumph possesses
those that are heavenly." Codestia (sc. gaudia et praedia).

5. *'By unceasingly confessing Thee, 0 Christ, most lov-
ing King, he trampled under foot the wiles of the evil
spirits, and the savage prince of hell."

6. ''Renowned for faith and virtue, zealous in the con-
fession of his faith, bearing his members mortified he now
participates in the heavenly banquet."

7. "We suppliants, therefore, all beseech Thee, most
gracious God, that on his account Thou remit the punish-

338

VIRGINS

ment due to us." Gratia, prep., hujus gratia, on his ac-
count, for his sake.

8. *' Eternal glory to the Father, and to the only-begotten
Son of the Father, and to the Holy Spirit, through all eter-
nity."

163

COMMON OF VIRGINS
Jesu, corona Virginum

JESU, corona Virginum,
Quem mater ilia concipit,
Quae sola Virgo parturit:
Haec vota clemens accipe.

'Qui pergis inter lilia,
Septus choreis Virginum,
Sponsus decorus gloria,
Sponsisque reddens praemia.

'Quocumque tendis, Virgines
Sequuntur, atque laudibus
Post te canentes cursitant,
Hymnosque dulces personant.

*Te deprecamur supplices;
Nostris ut addas sensibus,
Nescire prorsus omnia
Corruptionis vulnera.

'Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sseculorum saecula.

JESU, the Virgins' crown, do
Thou
Accept us as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.

Amongst the lilies Thou dost feed,
By Virgin choirs accompanied —
With glory decked, the spotless

brides
Whose bridal gifts Thy love

provides.

They, wheresoe'er Thy footsteps

bend,
With hymns and praises still

attend :
In blessed troops they follow

Thee,
With dance, and song, and

melody.

We pray Thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise. Eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory as is ever meet,
To God, the holy Paraclete.

Author: Ascribed to St. Ambrose (340-397). Meteb;
Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale, There are
thirteen translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers

339

COMMON OF SAINTS

and Lauds. This beautiful hymn is founded on Is. 28, 5;
Canticle of Canticles 2, 16 ; Apoc. 14, 4.

1. *'0 Jesus, crown of Virgins, whom that Mother con-
ceived who alone as Virgin did give birth to a Child, graci-
ously accept these our prayers."

2. *'Thou walkest among the lilies surrounded by choirs
of Virgins, as a bridegroom adorned with glory dispensing
gifts to brides." Pergis: The Original Text has pascis —
which text Neale translates. The texts differ but slightly.
Qui pascitur inter lilia (Cant. 2, 16). The lily is a sym-
bol of virginal purity; it is here used for Virgins them-
selves.

3. '* Whithersoever Thou goest, Virgins follow, and with
songs of praise they hasten after Thee, causing sweet
hymns to resound."

4. '*We suppliantly beseech Thee that Thou grant to our
senses that they may know nothing whatever of all the
wounds of corruption." Addas = des, tribuas. Sensibus,
to our souls. Nescire, to have nothing to do with.

164 Virginis Proles

VIRGINIS Proles, Opifexque CON of a Virgin, Maker of Thy

Matris, »^ Mother,

Virgo quem gessit, peperitque Thou, Rod and Blossom from a

Virgo; Stem unstained,

Virginis festum canimus beatae, Now while a Virgin fair of fame

Accipe votum. we honor,

Hear our devotion!

^Haec enim palraae duplicis beata Lo, on Thy handmaid fell a two-
Sorte, dum gestit fragilem fold blessing,

domare Who, in her body vanquishing the
Corporis sexum, domuit cruen- weakness,

turn In that same body, grace from
Caede tyrannmn. heaven obtaining,

Bore the world witness.

'Unde nee mortem, nee amica Death, nor the rending pains of
mortis death appalled her;

Mille poenarum genera expave- Bondage and torment found her
scens, undefeated:

340

VIRGINS

Sanguine efTuso meruit serenum So by the shedding of her blood
Scandere coelum. attained she

Heavenly guerdon.

*Hujus oratu Deus alme nobis Fountain of mercy, hear the

Debitas pcenas scelerum remitte; prayers she offers;

Ut tibi puro resonemus almum Purge our offences, pardon our
Pectore carmen. transgressions,

So that hereafter we to Thee may
render
Praise with thanksgiving.

^Sit decus Patri, genitasque Proli, Thou, the All-Father, Thou, the
Et tibi compar utriusque virtus One-Begotten,

Spiritus semper, Deus unus omni Thou, Holy Spirit, Three in One
Temporis aevo. co-equal,

Glory be henceforth Thine through
all the ages,
World without ending.

Author: Unknown, Sth cent. Meter: Sapphic and
Adonic. Translation by Laurence Housman. There are
eight translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Matins in
the Common of Virgins. To be more explicit, the five
stanzas of this hymn are used as follows:

a) The complete hymn for Virgin-Martyrs.

b) Stanzas 1, 4, 5, for Virgins.

c) Stanzas 4, 5, for Holy Women.

1. * * 0 Offspring of a Virgin and Creator of Thy Mother,
whom a Virgin carried in her womb, and to whom a Virgin
gave birth; we celebrate in song the Feast of a Virgin;
hear Thou our prayer." The Virgin mentioned in the
first two lines is our Blessed Lady; the Virgin mentioned
in the third line is the Saint whose Feast is being cele-
brated. For a Virgin-Martyr the last two lines read :

Virginis partos canimus decora
Morte triumphos.

**We sing of the triumphs obtained by the glorious death
of a Virgin."

2. *'For she was blessed with the portion of a twofold

341

COMMON OF SAINTS

palm of victory; while she strove to overcome the frailty
of her sex, she overcame also the tyrant red with slaugh-
ter." Ccedes, slaughter, carnage, the blood shed in slaugh-
ter. The ** twofold palm" is that of virginity and martyr-
dom. The word ''martyr" means a witness, i.e., one who
by his death bears witness to the truth of the Christian
religion.

3. ''She feared neither death nor the accompaniments of
death, the countless methods of torture; having shed her
blood she merited to ascend to an untroubled heaven."
Arnica mortis, things pertaining to, or accompanying
death.

4. "At her intercession, 0 gracious God, remit the pun-
ishment of our sins due to us, that with a pure heart we
may raise aloft a sweet song to Thee. ' '

5. "Glory be to the Father and to the incarnate Son, and
to Thee, Holy Spirit, ever the co-equal power of both, One
God. forever and ever."

COMMON OF HOLY WOMEN
165 Fortem virili pectore

FORTEM virili pectore TTIGH let us all our voices raise

Laudemus omnes feminam, -■--■- In that heroic woman's praise
Quae sanctitatis gloria Whose name, with saintly glory

Ubique fulget inclyta. bright,

Shines in the starry realms of
light.

'Hsec sancto amore saucia. Filled with a pure celestial glow,

Dum mundi amorem noxium She spurned all love of things

Horrescit, ad coelestia below;

Iter peregit arduum. And heedless here on earth to stay,

Climbed to the skies her toilsome
way.

'Carnem domans jejuniis, With fasts her body she subdued,

Dulcique mentem pabulo But filled her soul with prayer's

Orationis nutriens, sweet food :

Coeli potitur gaudiis. In other worlds she tastes the bliss

For which she left the joys of this.
342

DEDICATION OF A CHURCH

*Rex Christe virtus fortium, O Christ, the strength of all the

Qui magna solus efficis, strong;

Hujus precatu, quaesumus, To whom our holiest deeds

Audi benignus supplices. belong!

Through her prevailing prayers

on high,
In mercy hear Thy people's cry!

°Deo Patri sit gloria, To God the Father, with the Son,

Ejusque soli Filio, And Holy Spirit, Three in One,

Cimi Spiritu Paraclito, Be glory while the ages flow,

Nunc, et per omne sasculum. From all above, and all below.

Author: Cardinal Silvio Antoniano (1540-1603). Meter:
Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There
are nine translations. Liturgical Use : Hymn for Vespers
and Lauds.

1. "Let us all praise that valiant woman with a manly
heart, who, by the glory of her sanctity, everywhere shines
gloriously." Mulierem fortem quis inveniet (Prov. 31, 10).
Virili, manly, strong, brave.

2. "Smitten with holy love, she traverses the arduous
way to heaven, while she shudders at the baneful love of
the world."

3. "She subdued her body with fasting, and she nour-
ished her soul with the sweet food of prayer, and thus ob-
tained the joys of heaven. ' '

4. "King Christ, the strength of the strong, who alone
dost accomplish great things, we pray Thee, through her
intercession, graciously hear Thy suppliants."

COMMON OF THE DEDICATION
OF A CHURCH

166 Coslestis urbs Jerusalem

CCELESTIS urbs Jerusalem, nHHOU heavenly, new Jerusalem,

Beata pacis visio, ■*■ Vision of peace in prophet's

Quae celsa de viventibus dream!

With living stones built up on
high,

843

COMMON OF SAINTS

Saxis ad astra tolleris,
Sponsaeque ritu cingeris
Mille Angelorum millibus.

"0 sorte nupta prospera,
Dotata Patris gloria,
Respersa sponsi gratia,
Regina formosissima,
Christo jugata Principi,
Coeli corusca civitas.

'Hie margaritis emicant,
Patentque cunctis ostia:
Virtute namque praevia
Mortalis illuc ducitur,
Amore Christi percitus
Tormenta quisquis sustinet.

*Scalpri salubris ictibus,
Et tunsione plurima,
Fabri polita malleo
Hanc saxa molem construunt,
Aptisque juncta nexibus
Locantur in fastigio.

'Decus Parenti debitmn
Sit usquequaque Altissimo,
Natoque Patris unico,
Et inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus, potestas, gloria
interna sit per saecula.

And rising to yon starry sky;
In bridal pomp thy form ie

crowned,
With thousand thousand Angels

round !

0 Bride, betrothed in happy hour,
The Father's glory is thy dower;
The Bridegroom's grace is shed on

thee
Thou Queen all fair eternally;
To Christ allied, thy Prince

adored,
Bright shining city of the Lord!

Behold with pearls they glittering

stand
Thy peaceful gates to all expand;
By grace and strength divinely

shed
Each mortal thither may be led;
Who, kindled by Christ's love, will

dare
All earthly sufferings now to bear.

By many a salutary stroke.

By many a weary blow that broke.

Or polished with a workman's

skill,
The stones that form that glorious

pile,
They all are fitly framed to lie
In their appointed place on high.

Fair and well-pleasing in Thy

sight,
Parent most high, enthroned in

light.
And for Thine only Son most

meet.
And Thee, all-glorious Paraclete,
To whom praise, power, and glory

rise
Forever through the eternal skies.

Author: Unknown, 6th or 7th cent. Meter: Iambic di-
meter. Translation by J. W. Irons. There are about

344

DEDICATION OF A CHURCH

thirty translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers
and Matins. First line of Original Text: Urhs Jerusalem
beata, or Urbs beata Jerusalem. The hymn was greatly
altered by the revisers under Pope Urban VIII, in 1632.
The Original Text, as found in the Benedictine and Do-
minican Breviaries, with J. M. Neale's much admired
translation of the same is given below. It is interesting to
compare the two texts. It will be noticed that the rugged
beauty of the Original Text, in trochaic tetrameter, is re-
placed in the Roman Breviary Text by smooth polished
iambics. "With reference to the revision, Neale thinks that
the grand old hymn ''lost half its beauty in the process"
{Medieval Hymns, p. 18). This hymn is based on the fol-
lowing passages of the New Testament : I Peter 2, 5 ; Apoc.
21; Eph. 2, 19-22; Heb. 12, 22.

1. "Jerusalem, heavenly city, blessed vision of peace,
who, built of living stones, art raised aloft to the stars,
and like a bride art encircled by countless thousands of
Angels." *'The heavenly city, Jerusalem" is the Church
Triumphant, the Blessed. In Hebrew, the word Jerusalem
means ''vision of peace." The "living stones" are the
souls of men.

2. "0 bride dowered with a fortunate dowry, with the
glory of the Father, and with the grace of the bridegroom
shed over thee ; 0 queen all-beauteous united to Christ the
King, 0 resplendent city of heaven!" Sorte, lot, marriage
portion, dowry. The bride is the Church Triumphant, and
the bridegroom is Christ, who is the glory of the Father
(Heb. 1, 3).

3. "Thy gates here glitter with pearls and stand open
to all ; each mortal who follows virtue is dra\vn thither ; each
one who, impelled by the love of Christ, endures torments."
Ostia patetit, cf. Apoc. 21, 21-25. Tormenta is not re-
stricted to Martyrs only, but refers to anyone who en-
dures trials and tribulations (Acts 14, 21).

4. "Polished by vigorous blows of the chisel and by
countless strokes of the Master's mallet, these stones raise
up this mighty structure, and, bound together with appro-
priate joints, they are placed aloft in the highest summit."
Fastigium, gable, pediment, summit; here, by synec. the

345

COMMON OF SAINTS

splendid edifice itself. Saxa is the subject of the whole
stanza.

5. "Let due glory be given everywhere to the most high
Father, and to the only-begotten Son of the Father, and
to the glorious Paraclete; to whom be praise, power, and
glory, through everlasting ages.

167

Alto ex Olympi vertice

ALTO ex Olympi vertice
Summi Parentis Filius,
Ceu monte desectus lapis
Terras in imas decidens,
Domus supernae, et infimae,
Utrumque junxit angulum.

'^Sed ilia sedes coelitum
Semper resultat laudibus,
Deumque Trinum et Unicum
Jugi canore praedicat:
Illi canentes jungimur
Almae Sionis aemuli.

Haec templa, Rex coelestium,
Imple benigno lumine:
Hue o rogatus adveni,
Plebisque vota suscipe,
Et nostra corda jugiter
Perfunde cceli gratia.

*Hic irapetrent Hdelium
Voces precesque supplicum
Domus beatae munera,

FROM highest heaven, the
Father's Son,
Descending like that mystic stone
Cut from a mountain without

hands,
Came down below, and filled all

lands;
Uniting, midway in the sky,
His house on earth, and house on

high.

That house on high, — it ever rings
With praises of the King of kings;
Forever there, on harps divine,
They hymn th' eternal One and

Trine;
We, here below, the strain

prolong,
And faintly echo Sion's song.

0 Lord of lords invisible!

With Thy pure light this temple
fill:

Hither, oft as invoked, descend;

Here to Thy people's prayer
attend;

Here, through all hearts, forever-
more.

Thy Spirit's quick'ning graces
pour.

Here may the faithful, day by day,
Their hearts' adoring homage pay;
And here receive from Thy dear
love

346

DEDICATION OF A CHURCH

Partisque donis gaudeant: The blessings of that home above;

Donee soluti corpore Till loosened from this mortal

Sedes beatas impleant. chain,

Its everlasting joys they gain.

'Decus Parenti debitum To God the Father, glory due

Sit usquequaque Altissimo, Be paid by all the heavenly host;

Natoque Patris unico, And to His only Son most true;

Et inclyto Paraclito, With Thee, 0 mighty Holy Ghost!

Cui laus, potestas, gloria To whom, praise, power, and
i5]terna sit per ssecula. blessing be,

Through th' ages of eternity.

This is a continuation of the preceding hymn. Trans-
lation by Father Caswall. Liturgical Use: Hymn for
Lauds on the Feast of the Dedication of a Church.

1. ''From the highest heights of heaven came the sov-
ereign Father's Son, like the stone riven from the mountain
descending to the lowest plains, and He joined together the
two corners of the earthly and heavenly dwelling places.'*
Venit is understood in the first two lines. Christ is the
stone that came down from on high. He is also the corner-
stone that makes both one, Jews and Gentiles, or the
heavenly and the earthly kingdom (Cf. I Pet. 2, 6; Eph.
2, 20). The figure of the stone riven from the mountain
is probably an allusion to the dream of Nabuchodonosor
(Cf. Dan. 2, esp. 34-45).

2. *'But that abode of the Blessed ever resounds with
praises, and extols with ceaseless song the Triune God; to
it we rivals of holy Sion are joined in song." Illi, sc. sedes
Coelitum. Jugi, adj., perpetual. Sion ordinarily stands
for the Church Militant; it is here used for the Church
Triumphant.

3. "These temples, 0 king of the Blessed, fill with Thy
kindly light ; hither, come Thou when invoked, and receive
the prayers of Thy people, and fill our hearts forever with
the grace of Heaven."

4. "Here may the voices of the faithful and the prayers
of Thy suppliants obtain the rewards of the heavenly
home; and may they enjoy the gifts acquired, till, freed
from the body, they take possession of the blessed abodes."

347

COMMON OF SAINTS

168

Urbs Jerusalem beata

URBS Jerusalem beata,
Dicta pacis visio,
Quae construitur in coelis
Vivis ex lapidibus,
Et Angelis coronata,
Ut sponsata comite.

^Nova veniens e coelo,
Nuptiali thalamo,
Praeparata, ut sponsata
Copuletur Domino:
Plateae et muri ejus,
Ex auro purissimo.

Portae nitent margaritis

Adytis patentibus;

Et virtute meritorura

Illuc introducitur

Omnis qui ob Christi nomen

Hie in mundo premitur.

* Tunsionibus, pressuris
Expoliti lapides,
Suis coaptantur locis
Per manus artificis,
Disponuntur permansuri
Sacris sedificiis.

BLESSED City, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of heaven above,
And, with Angel cohorts circled,
As a Bride to earth dost move!

From celestial realms descending.

Ready for the nuptial bed,

To His presence, decked with

jewels,
By her Lord shall she be led:
All her streets and all her

bulwarks
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright with pearls her portal

glitters ;
It is open evermore;
And, by virtue of His merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name in this

world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect.
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed forever
That His palace should be decked.

169

Angularis fundamentum

' A NGULARIS fundamentum
•^^ Lapis Christus missus est,
Qui parietum compage
In utroque nectitur,
Quem Sion sancta suscepit.
In quo credens permanet.

'Omnis ilia Deo sacra,
Et dilecta civitas,

CHRIST is made the sure Foun-
dation,
And the precious Corner-stone,
Who, the two walls underlying,
Bound in each, binds both in one.
Holy Sion's help forever.
And her confidence alonCr

All that dedicated City,
Dearly loved by God on high.

348

DEDICATION OF A CHURCH

Plena modulis in laude,
Et canore jubilo,
Trinum Deum unicumque
Cum fervore praedicat.

^ Hoc in templo, summe Deus,
Exoratus adveni;
Et dementi bonitate
Precum vota suscipe;
Largam benedictionem
Hie infunde jugiter.

'Hie promereantur omnes
Petita acquirere,
Et adepta possidere,
Cum Sanctis perenniter
Paradisum introire,
Translati in requiem.

'Gloria et honor Deo
Usquequaque Altissimo,
Una Patri Filioque,
Inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus est et potestas,
Per seterna saecula.

In exultant jubilation

Pours perpetual melody;

God the One, and God the Trinal,

Singing everlastingly.

To this temple, where we call

Thee,
Come, 0 Lord of Hosts, to-day;
With Thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear Thy people as they pray;
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls for aye.

Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they supplicate to gain;
Here to have and hold forever
Those good things their prayers

obtain ;
And hereafter in Thy glory
With Thy blessed ones to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father;
Laud and honor to the Son;
Laud and honor to the Spirit;
Ever Three, and ever One:
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

The above hymn is the Original Text of Hymns 166 and
167. Meter: Trochaic tetrameter. Translation by J. M.
Neale.

1. ''Jerusalem, blessed city, called the vision of peace;
city built up in heaven of living stones, and surrounded
by Angels, as a bride by her attendants."

2. *"Tis the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven,
adorned for the nuptial chamber, that as a bride she may
be united to her Lord: her streets and her walls are of
purest gold."

3. ''Her gates glitter with pearls, her inmost shrines
are wide open: and every one that suffers in this world
for the Name of Christ, finds entrance there, in virtue of
His merits."

4. "These stones, polished by blows and by afflictions,
are fitted to their places by the hands of the Builder : they

349

COMMON OF SAINTS

are arranged to remain forever in the sacred edifice."
Pressura, cb, oppression, affliction.

5. "Christ the corner-stone was sent to be the founda-
tion bound in both joints of the walls ; whom holy Sion re-
ceived, and believing in Him, she endures forever."

6. ''All this beloved city, sacred to God, is full of melo-
dies: in praise and joyful song she extols with zeal the
Triune God."

7. ''In this temple, O most high God, be present when
Thou art invoked; and in Thy merciful goodness receive
our prayers; here pour out forever Thy abundant bless-
ings. ' '

8. "Here may all merit to obtain what they ask for, and
to keep what they have obtained: so that when taken to
their rest they may merit to enter Paradise forever with
the Saints."

9. "Everywhere be there glory and honor to God most
high; equal glory to the Father, Son, and glorious Para-
clete, to whom belong praise and power through everlast-
ing ages."

DE CONTEMPTU MUNDI

The four following hymns are centos taken from a long
poem of about 3,000 lines written by Bernard of Morlaix
about 1140. The translations are by Dr. J. M. Neale.
The hymns have never been in use in the Breviary. The
meter is, in Neale 's words, "Dactylic hexameter, divided
into three parts, between which a caesura is inadmissible.
The hexameter has a tailed rhyme, and feminine leonine
rhyme between the two first clauses." Neale speaks of
the "majestic sweetness" of the meter, and Trench, whose
taste was equally good, comments on its "awkwardness
and repulsiveness. " Whatever opinion one may adopt
concerning the Latin hymn, there can be only one opinion
about Neale 's beautiful translations. Neale first trans-
lated the 96 lines which Trench printed in his Sacred Latin
Poetry; he later translated a larger cento of 218 lines.
The translation contains twice as many lines as the original.

350

DE CONTEMPTU MUNDI

The complete translation will be found in Neale's Mediceval
Hymns, and in a volume more easily obtained — Henry T.
Coates' Fireside Encyclopedia of Poetry, p. 624 (John C.
Winston Co., Philadelphia). A prose translation of the
complete poem, by Henry Preble, appeared in the Ameri-
can Journal of Theology, in 1906.

170

Hora novissima

HORA novissima, tempora pes-
sima sunt; vigilemus.
Ecce minaciter imminet arbiter
Ille supremus, —

THE world is very evil;
The times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate;

Imminet, imminet, ut mala ter- The Judge that comes in mercy,

minet, aequa coronet. The Judge that comes with might,

Recta remuneret, anxia liberet. To terminate the evil,

aethera donet. To diadem the right.

Curre, vir optime; lubrica re- Arise, arise, good Christian,

prime, praefer honesta. Let right to wrong succeed;

Fletibus angere, flendo merebere Let penitential sorrow

coelica festa. To heavenly gladness lead.

Luce replebere jam sine vespere,

jam sine luna;

Lux nova lux ea, lux erit aurea,

lux erit una.

Patria splendida, terraque florida,

libera spinis,

Danda fidelibus est ibi civibus,

hie peregrinis.

To the light that hath no evening.
That knows nor moon nor sun.
The light so new and golden.
The light that is but one.

0 home of fadeless splendor,
Of flowers that bear no thorn,
Where they shall dwell as children
Who here as exiles mourn;

Tunc erit omnibus inspicientibus Midst power that knows no limit,

ora Tonantis Where knowledge has no bound,

Summa potentia, plena scientia, The Beatific Vision

pax rata Sanctis. Shall glad the Saints around.

Hie homo nititur, ambulat, utitur; Strive, man, to win that glory;

ergo fruetur. Toil, man, to gain that light;

Pax, rata pax ea, spe modo. Send hope before to grasp it,

postea re capietur. Till hope be lost in sight.

351

COMMON OF SAINTS

Plaude, cinis meus, est tua pars

Deus; ejus es et sis;

Rex tuus est tua portia, tu sua;

ne sibi desis.

Exult, 0 dust and ashes,
The Lord shall be thy part,
His only, His forever
Thou shalt be and thou art.

171

Hie breve vivitur

HIC breve vivitur, hie breve
plangitur; hie breve fletur;
Non breve vivere, non breve
plaudere, retribuetur.

0 retributio! stat brevis actio,

vita perennis;

0 retributio! ccelica mansio stat

lue plenis.

Sunt modo proelia, postmodo

praemia, — qualia? plena:

Plena refectio, nullaque passio,

nullaque poena.

Spe modo vivitur, et Sion angitur

a Babylone;

Nunc tribulatio, tunc recreatio,

sceptra, coronae.

Qui modo creditur, ipse videbitur

atque scietur,

Ipse videntibus atque scientibus

attribuetur.

BRIEF life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short-lived care;
The life that knows no ending.
The tearless life, is there.

0 happy retribution!
Short toil, eternal rest;
For mortals and for sinners
A mansion with the blest!

And now we fight the battle.
But then shall wear the crown
Of full and everlasting
And passionless renown;

And now we watch and struggle,
And now we live in hope.
And Sion in her anguish
With Babylon must cope;

But He whom now we trust in
Shall then be seen and known;
And they that know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own.

Mane videbitur, umbra fugabitur. The morning shall awaken,

ordo patebit; The shadows shall decay.

Mane nitens erit, et bona qui gerit. And each true-hearted servant

ille nitebit. Shall shine as doth the day.

Nunc tibi tristia, tunc tibi There grief is turned to pleasure,

gaudia, — gaudia, quanta Such pleasure as below

Vox nequit edere, lumina cernere. No human voice can utter,

tangere planta. No human heart can know.

Pars mea, rex meus, in proprio There God, our King and Portion,

Deus ipse decore In fulness of His grace,

Visus amabitur, atque videbitur Shall we behold forever,

auctor in ore. And worship face to face.

352

172

DE CONTEMPTU MUNDI
O bona patria

OBONA patria, lumina sobria Tj^OR thee, 0 dear, dear country,

te speculantur; J- Mine eyes their vigils keep;

Ad tua nomina sobria lumina For very love, beholding

collacrimantur. Thy happy name, they weep.

Est tua mentio pectoris unctio. The mention of thy glory

cura doloris. Is unction to the breast,

Concipientibus aethera mentibus And medicine in sickness,

ignis amoris. And love, and life, and rest.

Tu locus unicus illeque coelicus

es paradisus.

Non tibi lacrima, sed placidissima

gaudia, risus.

Lux tua mors crucis atque caro

ducis est crucifixi;

Laus, benedictio, conjubilatio per-

sonat Ipsi.

O one, 0 only mansion!

0 Paradise of joy!

Where tears are ever banished,

And smiles have no alloy;

The Cross is all thy splendor;
The Crucified thy praise;
His laud and benediction
Thy ransomed people raise.

Est ibi consita laurus, et insita With jaspers glow thy bulwarks,

cedrus hysopo; Thy streets with emeralds blaze;

Sunt radiantia jaspide mcenia. The sardius and the topaz

clara pyropo. Unite in thee their rays;

Hinc tibi sardius, inde topazius. Thine ageless walls are bonded

hinc amethystus. With amethyst unpriced;

Est tua fabrica contio coelica. Thy Saints build up its fabric,

gemmaque Christus. The corner-stone is Christ.

Tu sine litore, tu sine tempore Thou hast no shore, fair ocean!

fons, modo rivus; Thou hast no time, bright day!

Dulce bonis sapis, estque tibi lapis Dear fountain of refreshment

undique vivus. To pilgrims far away!

Est tibi laurea, dos datur aurea. Upon the Rock of Ages

sponsa decora. They raise thy holy tower;

Primaque principis oscula su- Thine is the victor's laurel,

scipis, inspicis ora. And thine the golden dower.

173

Urbs Sion aurea

T TRBS Sion aurea, patria lactea, TERUSALEM the golden,

^ cive decora, J With milk and honey blest,

Omne cor obruis, omnibus ob- Beneath thy contemplation

struis et cor et ora. Sink heart and voice opprest.

353

COMMON OF SAINTS

Nescio, nescio, quae jubilatio, lux

tibi qualis,

Quam socialia gaudia, gloria quam

specialis.

Sunt Sion atria conjubilantia,

martyre plena,

Give micantia, principe stantia,

luce serena.

Sunt ibi pascua mentibus afflua

praestita Sanctis;

Regis ibi thronus, agminis et sonus

est epulantis.

Gens duce splendida, contio Can-
dida vestibus albis,
Sunt sine fletibus in Sion sedibus,
aedibus almis.

I know not, 0 I know not
What joys await us there,
What radiancy of glory,
What light beyond compare.

They stand, those halls of Sion,
Con jubilant with song.
And bright with many an Angel,
And all the Martyr throng;

The Prince is ever in them.
The daylight is serene.
The pastures of the blessed.
Are decked in glorious sheen.

There is the throne of David;
And there, from care released,
The song of them that triumph,
The shout of them that feast;

And they who with their Leader
Have conquered in the fight.
Forever and forever
Are clad in robes of white.

S54

AUTHORS OF THE LATIN HYMNS

AMBROSE, ST. (340-397), Bishop of Milan, is justly
styled "the Father of Church-song in the West." He be-
came, like St. Hilary, a great champion of orthodoxy against
the Arians in the West. And it was while he and his
faithful flock v/ere besieged in his Cathedral by the im-
perial troops that, as St. Augustine tells us, he first com-
posed hymns for them to sing "lest they faint through
fatigue^ of sorrow." The simple, austere hymns of St.
Ambrose have always been considered the ideal in Church-
song. Many hymns have been ascribed to him, and there
is some difference of opinion as to what hymns he actually
wrote. The latest authority on this subject is the eminent
hymnologist Father Dreves, who made a careful study of
the early hymnaries in the Vatican and at Milan. He thus
classifies the hymns of St. Ambrose :

I. Certified as his hy early writers. JEterne rernm Hoti-,
ditor. 2. Deus Cypf^t^^ oTYininm 3. Illuminans altissimus.
4. Veni Redemptor gentium. 5. Jam surgit hora. terti^.

li. Others also genuine. 6. JEterna Christi munera, Et
martyrum. 7. Agnes beatsB virginis. 8. Amore Christi no-
bilis. 9. Apostolorum passio. 10. Apostolorum supparem.
11. Grates tibi, Jesu, novas. 12. Hie est dies verus Dei. 13.
Splendor paternse glorias. 14. Victor, Nabor, Felix, pii.

III. Possibly his. 15. Jesu corona virginum. 16. Nunc,
Sancte nobis Spiritus. 17. Rector potens, verax Deus. 18.
Rerum Deus tenax vigor.

The Benedictine editors of the works of St. Ambrose
assign twelve to him. Among them, and not mentioned
above, are the two Breviary hymns: Somno refectis artu-
bus, and Consors paternas luminis.

There are three excellent articles in the Cath. Encycl.
on Ambrosian Hymnnrfrnphy, Amhrosian Chant, and ...Am-
brose, St. Hymns : 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 154, 158, 163.

SMKKOSIAN. a great many hymns, mostly of the

355

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

fifth or sixth century, are styled Amhrosiani — Ambrosian
hymns. They are so styled either because they were
formerly supposed to have been written by St. Ambrose,
or because they imitate the stanzaic form, the style, meter,
and austere objectiveness of the genuine hymns of the
Saint. It is now known for certain that many hymns
formerly thought to be his are the compositions of unknown
writers. These hymns are uniformly written in Iambic
dimeter. The term Ambrosian implies no ascription of
authorship, but merely a poetical form. Hymns ; 1, 5, 20,
21, 22, 29, 35, 36, 37, 38, 50, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69,
71, 155, 157, 161, 162.

ANTONIANO, CARDINAL SILVIO (1540-1603) was
educated at the University of Ferrara, in which institution
he later became professor of classical literature. He is
best known as a student of educational problems. Hymn :
165.

BELLARMINE, CARDINAL (1542-1621) was a dis-
tinguished Jesuit theologian and controversialist. He
was born at Montepulciano in Italy. He became Arch-
bishop of Capua but resigned that see to accept the office
of librarian of the Vatican. He was proclaimed Venerable
by Pope Urban VIII, in 1627. Hymns: 125, 136, 137.

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ST. (1091-1153) was born
near Dijon in France. Abbot and Doctor of the Church —
surnamed the ''Mellifluous Doctor." There is much doubt
as to the authorship of the hymns usually ascribed to St.
Bernard. Even his claim to the celebrated hymn, Jesu
dulcis memoria has been called in question. Dom Pothier
found it in a MS. of the 11th century, in which it is ascribed
to a Benedictine Abbess. During his lifetime, St. Bernard
exercised an extraordinary influence both by his eloquence
and by his writings. Hymns : 43, 44, 45, 130.

BERNARD OF CLUNY (or of Morlaix) was born at
Morlaix in Brittany early in the 12th century. He entered
the celebrated Benedictine Abbey of Cluny where he re-
mained until his death, the date of which is unknown. He
is the author of one of the most famous poems of the
Middle Ages, the De contemptu mundi, which contains
about 3,000 lines in dactylic hexameters. It is dedicated

356

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

to Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny (1122-1156).
There is a fine analysis of this great poem in the article on
Bernard of Cluny, in the Cath. Encycl. Hymns : 170, 171,
172, 173.

ELPIS (d. about 493) was the wife of the philosopher
Boethius (480-524). Elpis was the aunt of St. Placidus,
the well-known disciple of St. Benedict. Recent researches,
however, have led to the conclusion that there is no reason,
or at least insuflBcient reason, to ascribe the authorship of
Aurea luce {Decora lux) to Elpis. None of the ancient
MSS. attribute it to her (James Mearns in the Did. of
Eymnology, p. 1632). Hymns : 90, 91, 116, 117.

FORTUNATUS, VENANTIUS (530-609) was a native
of the district of Treviso in Upper Italy and was educated
at Ravenna, where he devoted himself to the study of
oratory and poetry. He was miraculously cured of a
disease of the eyes through the intercession of St. Martin
of Tours. It was while on a visit to the tomb of this Saint
that he made the acquaintance of Queen Radegunde at
Poitiers. It was here that he was ordained priest, and
later consecrated Bishop of Poitiers, where he remained
until his death. Fortunatus represents ''the last expiring
effort of the Latin muse in Gaul" to retain something of
the ''old classical culture amid the advancing tide of bar-
barism" {Diet, of Hymnol., p. 383). Hymns: 51, 52, 53,
150, 151.

GREGORY THE GREAT, ST. (540-604). This illustri-
ous Pope and Doctor of the Church was born at Rome,
where he founded the Benedictine monastery of St.
Andrew, of which he himself became Abbot. Much against
his owTi will he was elected Pope to succeed Pelagius II, in
590, The Benedictine editors of St. Gregory's works
ascribe to him eight hymns. Daniel assigns him three
others. In the light of the latest researches it must be
admitted that Pope Gregory's place in hymnody cannot as
yet be definitely fixed. Hymns: 6, 7, 10, 15, 17, 19, 23, 24,
25 26 27 28 48 49 126

HERMANN CONTRACTUS (1013-1058) was born at
Altshausen in Suabia. He was a cripple from birth and
could not move without assistance — hence the surname

357

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

Contractus, the crippled. Despite his physical defects, he
entered the school of St. Gall in his seventh year, and
quickly mastered Greek, Latin, Arabic, history, music,
mathematics, philosophy, and theology. He was one of the
most learned men of his time. At the age of thirty he
entered the Benedictine monastery of Reichenau, where he
became Abbot and spent the remainder of his days.
Hymns : 30, 33.

HILARY, ST. (d. 368). Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor
of the Church. He was born at Poitiers of heathen
parents ; and it was in his native city that he was elected
Bishop. As Bishop, his strenuous opposition to the Arian
heresy earned him the title of Malleus Arianorum — ''The
Hammer of the Arians." His hostility to the Arians
caused him to be exiled to the distant coasts of Phrygia.
Many hymns have been ascribed to St. Hilary, most of
which are of doubtful authenticity. In 1887, a fragment of
St. Hilary's Liber Hymnorum was discovered. This con-
tains three hymns or parts of hymns which can with rea-
sonable certainty be ascribed to him. Hymn 70 has often
been ascribed to him, but on insufficient evidence.

INNOCENT III, POPE (1161-1216) was born at Anagni
in Italy. He was one of the most learned theologians and
jurists of his time. During his active reign, which lasted
eighteen years, the Papacy reached the zenith of its power
and influence. Hymn : 67.

INNOCENT VI, POPE (d. 1362) was born at Mont in
France. He attained eminence as a professor of civil law
at Toulouse. As Pope he was actuated by lofty ideals and
did much to reform abuses. Hymn : 80.

JACOPONE DA TODI (or Jacobus de Benedictis) was
born at Todi in Italy early in the thirteenth century, and
died at an advanced age in 1306. He studied law, probably
at Bologna, and for some years he followed the profession
of advocate. About 1278 he entered the Franciscan Order,
in which, out of humility, he chose to remain a simple lay
brother till the end of his life. Hymns : 54, 55, 56, 57.

LEO XIII, POPE (1810-1903) was born at Carpineto in
Italy. He was Nuncio to Brussels, and for thirty-two years
Bishop of Perugia. He was elected Pope in 1878. His long

358

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

reign during troublous times afforded him ample opportuni-
ties for the exercise of consummate statesmanship. The
whole world recognized his great intellectual endowments.
His Latin Poems, Charades, Inscriptions, and Hymns are
translated by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor H. T. Henry, Litt.
D. {Dolphin Press, Philadelphia). Hymns: 95, 96, 97.

LORENZINI, FRANCESCO M. (1680-1743) was an
Italian poet born in Rome. He acquired a high reputation
as a poet, and was remarkable for the energy of his style.
He became president of the Academy of Arcades in 1728.
Hymn: 112.

NICETAS, ST. (335-415) was Bishop of Remesiana, in
what is now modern Serbia. He was a friend and con-
temporary of St. Paulinus of Nola. SS. Paulinus and
Jerome praise Nicetas as a hymn-writer. Hymn: 8.

ODO, ST. (879-942), Abbot of the celebrated Abbey of
Cluny, was born near Le Mans in France. He was widely
known as a promoter and reformer of religious life in
France and Italy. He is the author of an epic poem on
the Redemption. Hymn : 127.

PALUMBELLA, CALLISTO was a Bishop of the
Servite Order. He lived in the eighteenth century.
Hymns : 131, 132, 133.

PAULINUS, ST. (726-802), Patriarch of Aquileia, was
born near Cividale in Italy. He possessed a profound
knowledge of the sciences of jurisprudence and theology,
and was equally well versed in the Scriptures and in the
writings of the Fathers. He was a friend of Charlemagne,
whom he greatly assisted in restoring civilization in the
West. Hymns: 89, 128.

PAUL THE DEACON (b. circa 720— d. circa 799).
Paul was born at Friuli in Italy. He was celebrated both
as a poet and as an historian. He was a Benedictine monk
of Monte Cassino. Among his works is a valuable ' ' History
of the Lombards, ' ' and a ' ' Commentary on the Rule of St.
Benedict." Hymns: 113, 114, 115.

PRUDENTIUS, AURELIUS CLEMENS (348-413)
was born in northern Spain. He was successively an ad-
vocate, a judge, and the holder of some important military
position at court. At the age of fifty-seven he retired from

359

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

active life and devoted the remainder of his days to the
service of God, and to the writing of sacred poetry. His
poem, the Catliemerinon, is frequently referred to in this
volume. A new and excellent translation of it by Messrs.
Pope and Davis, with Latin and English texts on opposite
pages, is published by J. M. Dent & Co., Aldine House,
London, W. C, England; 208 pages, with notes. Hymns:
14, 16, 18, 41, 42, 47, 129.

RABANUS MAURUS (776-856) was born at Mainz in
Germany. He studied under Alcuin at Tours, and became
successively Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Fulda,
and Archbishop of Mainz. He is commonly reputed to have
been the most learned man of his age. His fame as a
teacher spread throughout Europe, and Fulda became the
most celebrated seat of learning in the Frankish Empire.
Hymns: 68, 134, 135, 147, 148.

RICCHINI, AUGUSTINE, 18th cent. Father Ricchini
was a Dominican, a friend of Pope Benedict XIV, and
successively Secretary of the Congregation of the Index,
and Master of the Sacred Palace. Hymns: 138, 139, 140,
141.

SEDULIUS, CAELIUS, was born probably at Rome in
the 5th century. Late in life he became a convert to
Christianity and remained a lajinan. His principal work
is his Carmen Paschale, in five books. The first book con-
tains a summary of the Old Testament ; the remaining four
contain a summary of the New Testament. Hymns : 39, 46.

TAROZZI, VINCENTIUS, was Secretary of Latin
Letters to Pope Leo XIII, who was Pope from 1878-1903.
No other information obtainable. Hymns: 101, 102, 103.

THEODULPH, ST. (760-821) was Bishop of Orleans in
France. He was probably an Italian by birth. He became
a member of the court of Charlemagne, through whose in-
fluence he became Bishop of Orleans. * ' After the death of
Charles he continued for some time on friendly terms with
the Emperor Louis, but, falling under suspicion of being
concerned in the plot in favor of Bernard of Italy, he was
imprisoned in 818, at Angers, where he seems to have died
in 821" (Julian's Diet, of Hymnol). Hymn: 58.

THOMAS AQUINAS, ST. (1227-1274) was born at

360

AUTHORS OF THE HYMNS

Aquino, a to^Ti near Naples. He entered the Dominican
Order and became one of the greatest doctors of the
Church. He is by common consent, * ' The Poet of the Most
Holy Sacrament of the Altar. ' ' He composed the Mass and
Office of the Feast of Corpus Christi and five sublime
hymns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Hymns: 75,
76, 77, 78, 79.

THOMAS OF CELANO was born at Celano in Italy
about 1200, and died about 1255. He was one of the first
disciples of St. Francis Assisi. On the death of St. Francis,
Thomas, at the request of Pope Gregory IX, wrote his
life. He also wrote two beautiful sequences in honor of
St. Francis. His immortality as a poet is based on his
very probable authorship of the greatest of all hymns, the
Dies Irce. Hymn: 87.

URBAN VIII, POPE (1568-1644) was born at Florence,
and was educated at the Collegio Romano. He graduated
from the University of Padua as Doctor of Laws. He is
commonly recognized as a generous patron of learning, and
was himself a man of letters, and an elegant writer and
poet. It is not unnatural that a man of his taste and
culture should have become imbued with the Humanistic
spirit of the age in which he lived. It was under his direc-
tions that the hymns of the Roman Breviary were revised
by a committee of four distinguished Jesuit scholars. The
revised hymns were published in 1632, and are still found
in the Roman Breviary. Hymns : 92, 93, 94, 107, 108, 123,
124, 142, 143.

WIPO was a native of Burgundy, and flourished during
the first half of the eleventh century. He was a secular
priest, and was for some time chaplain to the Emperors
Conrad II, and Henry III, to each of whom he presented a
collection of poems. Hymn: 59.

XAVIER, ST. FRANCIS (1506-1552), the Apostle of
India and Japan, was born near Sanguesa in Spain. He
studied at the University of Paris, and was one of the first
associates of St. Ignatius of Loyola when the latter
founded the Society of Jesus. Shortly after his ordination
he began his wonderful missionary career which ended only
with his death. Hymn : 74.

361

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

AYLWARD, VERY REV. JAMES AMBROSE, O.P.

(1813-1872) was the Dominican Prior at Woodchester,
England. His translations were edited by Mr. Orby
Shipley, in whose Annus Sanctus many of them appear.
^'Father Aylward," says Mr. Shipley, "was a cultured and
talented priest of varied powers and gifts, whose memory
is held dear by all who knew and were influenced by him. ' '
Hymns : 67, 68, 87.

BAGSHAWE, MOST REV. EDWARD GILPIN (1829-
1915). Educated at St. Mary's College Oscott, and at Lon-
don University. Bishop of Nottingham (1874), titular
Archbishop of Seleucia (1904). Translated all the hymns
of the Breviary and Missal in his Breviary Hymns and
Missal Sequences (Burns, Oates and Washbourne, London,
1900). His translations are the latest as well as the most
literal of all the translations of our Latin hymns. His sole
aim was "to keep to the sense of the original, neither add-
ing to this nor taking from it" {Preface). His translations
are too labored and prosy, but it is unfair to judge them
without considering the purpose of their pious author.
Hymns : 98, 146.

BALL, REV. THOMAS ISAAC, LLD. (1838-1916).
Dr. Ball contributed numerous translations of Latin hymns
to many hymnals, notable among which are the Appendix
to the Hymfial Noted, 1863, and The New Office Hymn Book,
1905. His translations are faithful, musical, and sustained.
Hymns : 81, 90, 135.

BENEDICTINES OF STANBROOK, Worcester, Eng-
land. The translations ascribed to The Benedictines of
Stanhrook are taken from their classic little volume The
Day Hours of the Church, which contains the Breviary
Office in Latin and English for all the Hours except
Matins. (Burns, Oates and Washbourne, London, 1916.)
Hymns : 99, 100, 121, 122, 140.

362

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

BLACKER, REV. MAXWELL JULIUS, MA. (1822-
1888). Mr. Blacker was educated at Merton College, Ox-
ford. His numerous translations from the Latin are in
The Hymner. Hymns : 10, 114, 115, 151.

BLOUNT, WALTER KIRKHAM (d. 1717). Author of
the Office of Holy Week, Paris, 1670. Hymn : 51.

BLEW, REV. WM. JOHN, M.A. (1808-1894) was edu-
cated at Wadham College, Oxford. ''His translations are
terse, vigorous, musical, and of great merit. They have
been strangely overlooked by the compilers of recent hymn-
books" {Diet, of Hymnol.). His translations appeared in
The Church Hymn and Tune Booh, 1852. Hymns : 70, 113.

BUTE, THE MARQUESS OF, M.A. (1847-1900) was
educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Convert, 1869.
Translator of the Roman Breviary into English. The
translations of Latin hymns in his Roman Breviary in
English are the work of many scholars, both Catholic and
non-Catholic. It is not known which hymns are from the
pen of the Marquess. The following are from his Roman
Breviary: 84, 95, 141.

CAMPBELL, ROBERT (1814-1868) was an advocate of
Skerrington, Scotland. Convert, 1852. Educated at the
Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1850 many
of his translations appeared in the St. Andrew's Hymnal.
Many others were left by him in MSS. and were edited by
Mr. Orby Shipley. From these Mr. Shipley published a
considerable number in his Annus Sanctus, 1884. His
translations are ''smooth, musical, and sustained" {Diet,
of Hymnol.). Hymns: 59B, 60, 62.

CASWALL, REV. EDWARD, M.A. (1814-1878) was
educated at Brasenose College, Oxford. Convert, 1847.
After his conversion he joined Cardinal Newman at the
Oratory, Edgbaston. Father Caswall, despite the great
names of Newman, Faber, and others, is pre-eminently
"The Poet of the Oratory" (Father Matthew Russell,
S.J.). With Dr. Neale, Father Caswall shares the honor of
being the most felicitous of the translators of our Latin
Hymns. His translations appeared in his Lyra Catholica,
in 1848, the year following his reception into the Church.
" Caswall 's translations of Latin hymns from the Roman

363

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

Breviary and other sources have a wider circulation in
modern hymnals than those of any other translator, Dr.
Neale alone excepted. This is owing to his general faith-
fulness to the originals, and to the purity of his rhythm"
{Diet, of Hymnol.). Many of Father Caswall's translations
appear in the Amius Sanctus and are characterized by Mr.
Shipley as "vigorous, dogmatic hymns." Father Caswall
translated the Roman Breviary Text. Despite his un-
doubted ability as a translator, one can not but regret that
so many of his translations are in Common Meter instead
of Long Meter. Hymns : 22, 31, 32, 37, 42B, 43, 47, 54, 73,
74, 76, 78, 83, 85, 86, 88, 89, 93, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112,
117, 119, 124, 125, 126, 127, 132, 134, 137, 147, 148, 152, 153,
162, 165, 167.

CHADWICK, JOSEPH WILLIAM, M.A. (1841-1882).
Educated at Queen's College, Oxford. Vicar of Westgate
Common, Wakefield. His translations in this volume are
from The Hymner. Hymns : 13, 17, 19.

CHAMBERS, JOHN DAVID, M.A. (1805-1893) was
educated at Oriel College, Oxford, and was admitted to the
bar in 1831. His translations are found principally in his
Lauda Syon, which appeared in two parts in 1857 and
1866. ''His translations of Latin hymns are close, clear,
and poetical; they have much strength and earnestness,
and the rhythm is easy and musical . . . Greater use,
however, might be made of these translations than has been
done. Their earnestness and dignity would raise the tone
of many collections" {Diet, of Hymnol.). Hymns; 13, 21,
28, 161.

COPELAND, WM. JOHN, M.A. (1804-1885). Mr.
Copeland was educated at Trinity College, Oxford. His
translations, mostly from the Roman Breviary Text, ap-
peared in his Hymns for the Week and Seasons (1848).
He was also the editor of Cardinal Newman's Sermons.
Hymn: 9.

COURTHOPE, WILLIAM JOHN, LL.D. (1842-1917),
was educated at Harrow, and New College, Oxford. Mr.
Courthope was professor of poetry at Oxford, 1895-1901.
Author of History of English Poetry, 4 vols., 1895-1903.
He contributed five beautiful translations of Latin hynms

364

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

to Church Hymns, 1903 ; through the kindness of The Mac-
millan Company all of these spirited translations appear
in this volume. Hymns : 14, 16, 18, 27, 36.

DEARMER, REV. PERCY, MA., D.D. (b. 1867), was
educated at Christ Church, Oxford. He was one of the
compilers of the English Hymnal, 1906, to which he con-
tributed ten translations. He was appointed to the Chair
of Ecclesiastical Art, King's College, London, 1919. Hymn :
156.

DONAHOE, JUDGE DANIEL JOSEPH, was born at
Brimfield, Mass., 1853, and was educated at Wesleyan
University. He is the author of several volumes of poetry,
original and translated. His translations from the Latin
comprise two volumes under the title Early Christian
Hymns, published by the Donahoe Publishing Co., Middle-
town, Conn. These translations, 288 in all, include 115
hymns from the Breviary and Missal. They are uniformly
musical but quite free. Early Christian Hymns is the most
extensive work of its kind thus far undertaken in America,
or even in England since the days of Neale and Caswall.
Judge Donahoe is a frequent contributor to several maga-
zines. Hymns : 86, 123, 142, 143, 159.

DORAN, J. W. No information obtainable. His trans-
lations are from The Hymner. Hymns : 69, 151.

DRYDEN, JOHN (1631-1701). Poet-Laureate, 1670.
Convert, 1685. Mr. Orby Shipley and Mr. W. T. Brooke
ascribe to John Dryden the bulk of the 120 translations of
Latin hymns in The Primer, or Office of the B. V. Mary in
English, 1706. Many of these translations are in the Annus
Sanctus, the Preface of which contains a discussion of the
question of Dryden 's authorship. Hymns: 50, 72.

ELLERTON, REV. JOHN, M.A (1826-1893). Mr. El-
lerton was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is
widely kno"v\Ti as an hymnologist, editor, hymn-writer, and
translator. He was one of the editors of Church Hymns,
1871, published by the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge ( 8. P. C.K.). Hymn: 4.

PABER, FREDERIC WILLIAM, D.D. (1814-1863).
Father Faber was educated at Balliol College, Oxford.
Convert, 1845. In 1849 he established in London the

365

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

* * Oratorians, ' ' or Priests of the Congregation of St. Philip
Neri, where he remained as superior until his death.
Father Faber is the author of many well known prose
works full of sweetness and unction, and a Book of Hymns ,
150 in number, many of which have become very popular.
He is best known as a writer of original hymns, not as a
translator. Hymn: 133.

GARESCHE, REV. EDWARD FRANCIS, S.J., M.A.
(b. 1876). Father Garesche was educated at St. Louis
University, and at Washington University. Practiced law
1898-1900. Entered the Society of Jesus, 1900. Lawyer,
author, professor, poet, and formerly editor of The
Queen's Work, St. Louis. Hymn: 80.

HALL, RT. REV. MSGR. CANON LOUIS (1844-1911)
was educated at St. Edmund's, Old Hall, and was ordained
in 1868 for the Diocese of Southwark. In the division of
the diocese in 1882 he was made Canon of the diocese of
Portsmouth, and was several times Administrator of the
diocese. Msgr. Hall was a devout and cultured priest, and
a musician and composer of ability. Many of his hymns,
the editor has been informed, are still unpublished. Hymn :
116.

HENRY, RT. REV. MSGR. HUGH THOMAS, LITT.D.,
LL.D. (b. 1862), poet, lecturer, and hymnologist. Profes-
sor of Homiletics in the Catholic University of America.
Msgr. Henry was educated at La Salle College, the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, and at St. Charles Seminary,
Overbrook, Pa. For many years he was professor of Eng-
lish and of Gregorian Chant at St. Charles, and rector of
the Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. He con-
tributed to the Catholic E^icyclopedia some fifty scholarly
articles on our Latin hymns. He is widely and favorably
known as a hymn-writer and translator. His translations
appeared principally in his Eucharistica (Dolphin Press,
Philadelphia), and in the pages of the American Ecclesiasti-
cal Review, and in other periodicals. He has also rendered
into English verse the Poems, Charades, and Inscriptions
of Pope Leo XIII (Dolphin Press). Hymns: 8, 41, 75, 96,
97, 131, 139, 144.

HORT, FENTON JOHN ANTHONY, B.A. (1828-1892),

366

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He held
several distinguished appointments at Cambridge Uni-
versity. He translated a few Latin hymns. Hymn : 4.

HOUSMAN, LAURENCE (b. 1867). Author and
artist. He contributed several translations to the English
Hymnal, 1906. His devotional poetry is found chiefly in
his Spikenard, 1898, and in his Bethlehem, 1902. Hymn:
164.

HUNTER-BLAIR, RT. REV. OSWALD (Sir David
Hunter-Blair, Baronet), O.S.B., M.A. (b. 1853). Born at
Dunskey, Scotland. Educated at Eton and Magdalen Col-
leges, Oxford. Convert, 1875. Entered the Benedictine
Order in 1878. Master of Hunter-Blair 's Hall, Oxford,
1899-1909. Elected Abbot of St. Benedict's Abbey, Fort
Augustus, Scotland, 1913. Author, historian, and extensive
contributor to Catholic periodicals and to the Catholic
Encyclopedia. Hymns: 30, 141.

HUSENBETH, VERY REV. FREDERICK
CHARLES, D.D. (1796-1872). Educated at Oscott CoUege.
Provost and Vicar-General of Northampton Diocese.
Author and editor of many volumes pertaining to doctrinal,
historical, and liturgical matters. Notable among these is
his Missal for the Laity. A number of his translations are
in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sanctus. Hymn : 82.

IRONS, WILLIAM JOSIAH, B.A. (1812-1883). Edu-
cated at Queen's College, Oxford. He is best known for his
translation of the Dies Irce, which is more extensively used
than any other translation of that great hymn. Hymns:
87D, 166.

JULIAN, REV. JOHN, D.D. (1839-1913) was editor of
the Dictionary of Eymnology, a monumental work which
sets forth the origin and history of Christian hymns of all
ages and nations. It contains much valuable information
on Latin hymns. Hymn: 20.

LACEY, REV. THOMAS ALEXANDER, M.A.
(b. 1853). Educated at Balliol College, Oxford. He was one
of the committee that compiled The English Hymnal, to
which he contributed eleven translations from the Latin and
one from the Greek. His translations are of a high order.
Hymn : 48.

367

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

LEESON, JANE ELIZABETH (1807-1882). Of Miss
Leeson's personal history nothing is known. She pub-
lished several books of hymns, especially for children. Her
widely used translation of the Victimce Paschali first ap-
peared in Father Formby's Catholic Hymns, 1851. Miss
Leeson, the editor has been informed, was a devout Catholic.
Hymn: 59.

LITTLEDALE, REV. RICHARD FREDERICK, B.A.,
LL.D. (1833-1890), was educated at Trinity College, Dublin,
and was an hymnologist of note. He contributed hymns to
many collections, and was one of the contributors to the
Marquess of Bute's Roman Breviary in English. Hymn:
157.

MacCARTHY, DENIS FLORENCE (1817-1882) was
Professor of poetry in the Catholic University of Dublin.
By his incomparable version of Calderon, ''the Spanish
Shakespeare," he has won a permanent place in English
letters. He was an ardent patriot and a devout Catholic.
Hymn: 57.

McDOUGALL, ALAN G., was born in 1895, and was re-
ceived into the Church in 1919. He resides in London.
Mr. McDougall is the author of Pange Lingua — a collection
of Breviary hymns of old use, with English metrical trans-
lations. The translations are exceptionally good and they
rank among the most felicitous in the language. They are
"equal to Neale's at his best" is the opinion of no less an
authority than Mr. James Britten. This is high praise but
it is not unmerited. The volume contains a scholarly thirty-
page introduction by Dr. Adrian Fortescue. Pange Lingua
is published by Burns, Oates and Washbourne, 22 Orchard
St., London, and it is a beautiful specimen of the book-
maker's art. Hymns: 1, 64, 77, 105, 129, 136, 138, 155.

NEALE, REV. JOHN MASON, D.D. (1818-1866) was
educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Dr. Neale was
an eminent hymnologist and a most felicitous translator
of Greek and Latin hymns. His translations of Latin
hymns appeared in his Mediceval Hymns and Sequences,
1851, and in the Hymnal Noted, 1852 and 1854, in which 94
out of the 105 hymns therein are translated from the Latin
by Dr. Neale. Most modern hymnals contain some of

368

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

Neale's translations; two, however, easily obtained, are
especially deserving of note; viz., the Rev. G. R. Wood-
ward's Songs of Syon, and the Rev. G. H. Palmer's The
Hymner. The latter book, so we are told in the Preface,
contains "translations of all, save two, of the Hymns from
the Sarum Breviary ... Of the total number nearly
one-half are from the pen of the late Dr. J. M. Neale, of
whose vigorous and scholarly renderings the editor has
gladly availed himself." Neale's translations are from the
Original Text, not from the Roman Breviary Text.
Hymns : 3, 5, 6, 11, 23, 24, 26, 34B, 38, 39, 46, 49, 52, 53, 58,
58B, m, 69, 71, 78, 134B, 150, 154, 158, 163, 168, 169, 170,
171, 172, 173.

NEWMAN, JOHN HENRY CARDINAL (1801-1890)
was educated at Ealing, and at Trinity College, Oxford.
Convert, 1845. Founder and superior of the Birmingham
Oratory and School. Rector of the Catholic University in
Dublin, 1854-1858. Created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII,
in 1879. His translations from the Roman Breviary, thirty-
three in all, are found in his Verses on Various Occasions.
His most popular translation is that of the Nimc Sancte
nobis Spiritus, hymn 2 of this volume. Hymns : 2, 15, 130.

OAKELEY, VERY REV. FREDERICK, M.A. (1802-
1880) was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. He was a
prominent Tractarian and author. Convert, 1845. Canon
of the Cathedral of Westminster. He is widely known for
his fine translation of the Adeste Fideles. Hymn: 40.

O'HAGAN, JOHN (1822-1890) was born at Newry,
Ireland, and was educated by the Jesuit Fathers in Dublin,
and at Trinity College. Justice O'Hagan was a devout
Catholic, a distinguished lawyer, and man of letters. He
was a member of the Supreme Court of Judicature in
Ireland. His fine translation of the Adoro Te devote was
a great favorite with the late Father Matthew Russell,
S. J., who included it in several of his charming little books
on the Blessed Sacrament. Hymn: 79.

OXENHAM, HENRY NUTCOMBE (1829-1888) was
educated at Balliol College, Oxford. Convert, 1857. He is
the author of several volumes. Several of his translations
are in Mr. Shipley's Annus Sa/nctus. Hymn: 120.

369

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

PAUL, CHARLES KEGAN, MA. (1828-1902), was edu-
cated at Eton College, Oxford. Convert, 1890. He was an
author, and head of the well-known publishing house of
Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Hymn : 102.

PALMER, REV. GEORGE HERBERT, B.A., was edu-
cated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Mr. Palmer is the
editor of The Antiphoner and Grail, and The Hymner,
which is exceptionally valuable both for the number and
quality of its translations from the Latin. All the trans-
lations by Mr. Palmer, M. J. Blacker, J. W. Doran, and
J. W. Chadwick in this volume, are from The Hymner.
Hymns: 19, 69, 114, 115, 157.

POTTER, REV. THOMAS JOSEPH (1828-1873).
Convert, 1847. Father Potter was for many years pro-
fessor of Belles Lettres and Sacred Eloquence at All Hal-
lows College, Dublin. He is the author of several volumes,
one of which. Sacred Eloquence, has been widely used as a
text-book in Catholic Seminaries. He translated the
Vespers hymns of the Breviary for the Catholic Psalmist.
Hymns : 29, 38, 63, 65, 91, 92, 104, 109, 118, 128.

PRIMER. The Primer, or Office of the B. V. Mary in
English, was a book of devotion which was very popular
with our forefathers. Several editions appeared in the
17th and 18th centuries. The Appendix to Mr. Shipley's
Annus Sanctus, contains many beautiful translations from
different editions of the Primer. Hymns : 33, 35, 50, 71.

RILEY, ATHELSTAN, M.A. (b. 1858), was educated at
Eton and at Pembroke College, Oxford. Mr. Riley is one
of the compilers of the English Hymnal, 1906, to which he
contributed seven translations from the Latin. The Eng-
lish Hymnal (Oxford University Press, London) is one of
the finest of modern hymnals. It contains 162 translations
from the Latin, many of which are recent translations of
unusual beauty. Hymns : 42, 149.

SCOTT, SIR WALTER (1771-1832), the eminent poet
and novelist, is the author of a fine condensed rendering of
i\iQ Dies Ircd. Hymn:87B.

SHIPLEY, ORBY, M.A. (1832-1916), was educated at
Jesus College, Cambridge. He was an Anglican clergy-
man for twenty-two years. He entered the Church in 1878,

370

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

and at the time of his death he was one of the last of the
illustrious band of converts whose conversion is traced
directly to the Tractarian Movement. Mr. Shipley was
an hymnologist of great ability and his compilation, the
Annus Sanctus is repeatedly referred to in this volume.
He is also the editor of the Carmina Mariana, and other
collections now out of print. He edited the MSS. of Robert
Campbell, and of the Very Rev. Prior Aylward, O.P., and
included many of their finest translations in his Annus
Sanctus (Burns, Gates & Washbourne, London).

WALLACE, REV. WILFRID, O.S.B., D.D. (d. 1896).
Father Wallace was educated at London University and in
Rome. He was ordained a secular priest and was known
to the world as John Wallace. In 1877 he entered the
Benedictine Order and was afterwards known by his re-
ligious name Wilfrid. In his Hymns of the Church, 1874,
he translated all the hymns of the Breviary and Missal.
Several of his translations are in Mr. Shipley's Annus
Sanctus. Strangely enough his best translations are from
the Passion Offices which are not included in the latest
edition of the Breviary. Hymns : 94, 103, 145.

WALWORTH, REV. CLARENCE ALPHONSUS
(1820-1900) was an Episcopal clergyman who entered the
Catholic Church and became one of the founders of the
Paulist Congregation. His fine translation of the Te Deum
is in extensive use. Hymn: 8.

WINGFIELD, WILLIAM FREDERICK, M.A. (1813-
1874), was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Convert,
1845. Before his conversion he was an Anglican clergy-
man ; after his conversion, a barrister. Hymn : 87.

WOODWARD, REV. GEORGE RATCLIFF, M.A.
(b. 1848), was educated at Harrow, and at Gonville and
Caius College, Cambridge. He is the editor of the excellent
hymnal, Songs of Syon, to which he contributed many
translations from the Latin, Greek, and German. His
translations from the Latin do not include any of the
Breviary hymns. He is also the author of the widely
known Cowley Carol Booh. Hymn : 149B.

YATTENDON HYMNAL, 1899. The Yattendon
Hymnal was edited by Mr. Robert Bridges, the Poet-

371

TRANSLATORS OF THE HYMNS

Laureate. It contains, in all, one hundred hymns, many of
them recent translations of a high order. Hymn : 12.

Religious Affiliations of Translators

It is interesting to record here the religious affiliations
of the translators whose hymns find a place in this volume.
It will be observed from the biographies given above that
among the Catholic translators fully one-half are converts.
Among those classed as Anglicans the writer believes that
all are of the High Church party.

CATHOLICS : Aylward, Bagshawe, Bute, Campbell, Cas-
wall, Donahoe, Dry den, Faber, Garesche, Hall, Henry,
Hunter-Blair, Husenbeth, Leeson, McDougall, MacCarthy,
Newman, Oakeley, O'Hagan, Oxenham, Paul, Potter, Wal-
lace, Walworth, and Wingfield. The translations in the
Primers are all by Catholics.

ANGLICANS: Ball, Blacker, Blew, Chadwick, Cham-
bers, Copeland, Courthope, Dearmer, Ellerton, Hort,
Housman, Irons, Julian, Lacey, Littledale, Neale, Palmer,
Riley, and Woodward.

The religious affiliation of Doran is not definitely known
to the writer ; he was probably an Anglican.

Scott was nominally a Presbyterian with a leaning
toward the Episcopal Church.

372

GLOSSARY

Aurora, <b, the dawn. In alleg. the Blessed Virgin, who was
the Dawn that heralded the rising Sun of Justice.
(Mai. 4, 2.)

Avernus, i, hell. The Humanistic revisers of the Breviary
hymns introduced many pagan poetical names for
heaven and hell.

Bethlem, another form of Bethlehem, the birthplace of
David and of Christ. It is five miles south of
Jerusalem.

Christiades, um, pi. Christians. This word occurs twice.
It is not found in the dictionaries, not even in Du
Cange. See hymns 94, 104.

circulus, i, circle. Used in the hymns in such expressions
as ''dierum circulo," "dierum circulis," and in the
Vulgate — ''post anni circulum" — "after the course of
a year." "Now the circling years disclose." — Pope:
Odyssey.

coelites (pi. of cosies, itis), the blessed, the heavenly spirits.
This word and juhar were great favorites with the re-
visers of the Breviary hymns.

compos, potis, with genitive, partaking of, sharing in, par-
ticipating in.

confiteor 2, to praise. Confitebor tibi Domine in toto corde
meo (Ps. 9, 2).

denus for the pi. deni. The singular form of the distributive
numerals is quite common.

edo, edidi 3, to beget, bring forth, cause.

Flamen, inis (from flare, to blow), the Holy Spirit; just
as "spirit" is from spirare, to blow.

Genitor, oris, the Father; Genitus, the Son.

in, prep., in, into; as, for. Et dederunt in (as, for) escam
meamfel (Ps. 68, 22).

juhar, aris, ray, beam, splendor, glory.

jugis, adj., continual, perpetual; jugiter, adv., forever.

livor, oris, fig., envy, spite, malice, ill-will; mostly poet, and
post-Auff. for invidia.

373

GLOSSARY

lubricus, adj., slippery, dangerous; impure, unclean. See
''lubricous" in any unabridged English dictionary.

lumbi, orum, the loins, reins, considered as the seat of the
passions or affections.

machina, ce, structure, fabric, frame, order.

Numen, inis, God, the Godhead, the Divine Will.

obvius, adj., in the way so as to meet, meeting.

Olympus, i, heaven. See ''Avernus."

Orcus, i, hell. See "Avernus."

palma, cb, a palm, palm branch ; victory, the palm branch as
a symbol of victory.

pango, to fasten; to compose, to write, hence ''to sing."

plaga, ce, wound, blow, stripe. See following word.

plaga, cb, region, quarter, lands. See preceding word.

polus, i (or pi.), heaven, the heavens.

prcBsepe, is, a manger. Also praesepes, is; praesepia, ae;
praesepium, i.

Sion, lit., a hill in Jerusalem on which stood the royal
palace; fig., the Church, esp. the Church Militant, the
faithful. In general, Sion is the Church on earth;
Jerusalem, the Church in heaven. The necessities of
meter do not always permit this distinction to be ob-
served.

SolymcB, arum, and Solyma, orum are poetical forms of
Hierosolyma, orum, Jerusalem.

Tartarus, i, and Tartara, orum, hell. See "Avernus."

Verbum, i, The Word, the Eternal Son, the second Person
of the Holy Trinity.

votum, i (mostly pi.), prayer, wish, desire, "votum
solvere," to fulfill one's vows or obligations, "voti
compotes/' having obtained their wish.

374

ENGLISH INDEX

HYMN

Abroad the Regal Banners fly 51

Ah that day of wrath and woe 87C

All glory, laud, and honor 58

All hail, ye little Martyr flowers 42

All ye who seek a comfort sure 85

All ye who would the Christ descry 129

Angel-guardians of men, spirits and powers we sing 136

Antiphons of Advent 34

As fades the glowing orb of day 29

As the bird, whose clarion gay 14

A thousand lights their glory shed 96

At the Cross her station keeping 54

At the Lamb's high feast we sing 60

At this our solemn Feast 77

Ave, Star of Ocean , 149

Before the ending of the day 5

Behold the blessed morning 143

Bethlehem, of noblest cities 47

Be thou the guardian of thy native land 94

Blessed City, heavenly Salem 168

Blest guardian of all virgin souls 88

Brief life is here our portion 171

Bright Builder of the heavenly poles 35

By Mary's inspiration led 103

By the crib wherein reposing 57

Celestial Word, to this our earth 36

Christ is made the sure Foundation 169

Christ, of the Angels praise and adoration 135

Christ the Lord is risen to-day 59

Come, all ye faithful 40

Come, Holy Ghost, who ever One 2

Creator-Spirit, all-Divine 68

Day is breaking, dawn is bright 16

Day of wrath and doom impending 87D

Doxologies, Special — following hymn 29

Earth's mighty Maker, whose command 25

375

INDEX, ENGLISH

HYMN

Eternal Monarch, King most High 66

Father of lights I one glance of Thine 125

Flowers of martyrdom all hail 42B

For thee, 0 dear, dear country 172

From highest heaven, the Father's Son 167

From lands that see the sun arise 39

From the truth thy soul to turn 108

Giver of life, eternal Lord 148

Glory and honor and laud 58B

Glory of Iberia's throne 107

God of mercy let us run 133

God's messenger, Theresa 142

Great God of boundless mercy, hear 21

Hail day ! whereon the One in Three 6

Hail, holy Wounds of Jesus, hail 120

Hail, 0 Queen of heaven, enthroned 31

Hail, Sea-Star we name thee 149B

Hail, Thou who man's Redeemer art 65

Hail to the Queen who reigns above 33

Hail, true Body, truly born 80

Hark, a herald voice is calling 37

He who once, in righteous vengeance 119

Hidden God, devoutly I adore Thee 79

High let us all our voices raise 165

His sacred feet with tears of agony 126

Holy God, we praise Thy Name 8

Holy Spirit, come and shine 67

In wondrous mode set free, lo, at the Lord's com-
mand 128

Jerusalem the golden 173

Jesu, eternal Truth sublime 162

Jesu, salvation's Sun divine 50

Jesu, the very thought of Thee 43

Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do Thou 163

Jesu, the world's Redeemer, hear 161

Jesus, behind Thy Temple's veil 84

Jesus, the Ransomer of man 38

Joseph, the praise and glory of the heavens 105

376

INDEX, ENGLISH

HYMN

Joy to thee, 0 Queen of heaven 32

Let Angels chant thy praise, pure spouse of purest

Bride 104

Light of the anxious heart 130

Lo, how the savage crew 83

Lo, Mary is exempt from stain of sin 100

Long fasting hath thy body tamed 145

Lo, the dim shadows of the night are waning 10

Maker of all, eternal King 9

Maker of man, who from Thy throne 28

Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled 156

Mother benign of our redeeming Lord 30

My God, I love Thee, not because 74

Noble champion of the Lord 110

Now Christ, ascending whence He came 69

Now Christ, the Conqueror of death 140

Now from the slumbers of the night arising 7

Now in the sun's new dawning ray 1

Now let the darkling eve 131

Now let the earth with joy resound 153

0 Blest Creator of the light 23

0 Christ, the world's Creator bright 82

0 Christ, Thy guilty people spare 147

0 Christ, whose glory fills the heaven 20

0 come, 0 come, Emmanuel 34B

0 for thy spirit, holy John, to chasten 113

0 glorious King of Martyr hosts 157

0 glorious Lady I throned on high 151

O glory of the Polish race 144

0 God by whose command is swayed 72

0 God, of those that fought Thy fight 155

0 God of truth, 0 Lord of might 3

0 God, whose hand hath spread the sky 26

0 great Creator of the sky 24

0 highest Hope of mortals 95

0 House of Nazareth the blest 97

377

INDEX, ENGLISH

HYMN

0 Jesu, King most wonderful 44

0 Jesu, Life-spring of the soul 134

0 Jesu, Thou the Beauty art 45

0 kind Creator, bow Thine ear 48

0 Light of Light, 0 Dayspring bright 13

0 lovely light of fatherland 122

0 more than blessed, merit high attaining 115

0 Peter, Shepherd good, our voices sing of thee . . 90

0 rosy dawn! that dost proclaim 99

0 Sovereign Lord of Nature's might 27

0 Splendor of God's glory bright 12

0 strength and stay upholding all creation 4

0 Thou, the heavens' eternal King 61

0 Thou, the Son of God most High 86

0 Thou, who dost all nature sway 73

0 Three in One, and One in Three 19

0 Trinity of blessed light 71

Our limbs refreshed with slumber now 11

Our souls' great Teacher, Paul, our guide in wis-
dom's ways 91

0 Virgin Mother of our God 98

Peter, blest Shepherd! hearken to our cry 117

Peter, whatever thou shalt bind on earth 89

Praise, 0 Sion, praise thy Saviour 75

Remember, 0 Creator Lord 152

Riches and regal throne, for Christ's dear sake.. 124

Round roll the weeks our hearts to greet 70

Ruler of the dread immense 137

Sanctify me wholly, Soul of Christ adored 81

See the golden sun arise 18

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle 52

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory 76

Sing, 0 Sons of the Church, sounding the Mar-
tyrs ' praise 159

Sing, 0 ye faithful, sing two athlete brothers 121

Son of a Virgin, Maker of Thy Mother 164

Son of the Highest, deign to cast 127

378

INDEX, ENGLISH

HYMN

That day of wrath, that dreadful day 87

That day of wrath, that dreadful day 87B

The agonizing hooks, the rending scourge 93

The beauteous light of God's eternal Majesty 116

The dawn is sprinkling in the east 22

The dusky veil of night hath laid 17

Thee, 0 Christ, the Father's splendor 134B

Th' eternal gifts of Christ the King 154

The fast, as taught by holy lore 49

The fathers lived a life in shade 102

The gladness of thy Motherhood 141

The God whom earth, and sea, and sky 150

The golden star of morn Ill

The Heav'nly Word proceeding forth 78

The holy Paschal work is wrought 59B

The Martyrs' triumphs let us sing 158

The Messenger from God's high throne 138

The morn had spread her crimson rays 62

The Mount of Olives witnesseth 139

The world is very evil 170

Thirty years among us dwelling 53

This the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph. . . 160

Thou heavenly, new Jerusalem 166

Thou in thy childhood, to the desert caverns 114

To be the Lamb's celestial bride 112

To rule thy heart, Elizabeth 123

Venantius, hail! God's Martyr bright 109

We praise Thee, 0 God 8

What a sea of tears and sorrow 132

When thou dost pray thy mighty prayer 146

When war was raging, and the town 101

While Christ's disciples, grieving, sad 63

Who madest all and dost control 15

Why impious Herod, vainly fear 46

With glad and joyous strains 118

With joyous songs, great Rome, Martina's fame

extol 92

With terror doth the tyrant hear 41

379

INDEX, ENGLISH

HYMN

With the fair sun of Easter morn 64

Worshipped throughout the Church to earth's far

ends 106

LATIN INDEX

(a =: accentual, q = quantitative)

HYMN

Adeste, fideles a 40

Adoro Te devote a 79

Ad regias Agni dapes q 60

sterna Christi munera q 154

sterna cceli gloria q 20

-Sterne Rector siderum q 137

jEterne rerum Conditor q 9

-Sterne Rex altissime q 6Q

Ales diei nuntius q 14

Alma Redemptoris Mater q 30

Alto ex Olympi vertice q 167

Angularis fundamentum a 169

Anima Christi 81

AntiphonaB Majores 34

Antra deserti q 114

A solis ortus cardine q 39

Athleta Christi nobilis q 110

Auctor beate saeculi q 82

Audi benigne Conditor q 48

Audit tyrannus anxius q 41

Aurora coelum purpurat q 62

Aurora jam spargit polum q 22

Aurora soli praevia q 99

Ave Maris Stella a 149

Ave Regina coelorum a 31

Ave verum Corpus natum a 80

Beata nobis gaudia q 70

Beate Pastor Petre q 90

Beate Pastor Petre q 117

Bella dum late q 101

Christe, sanctorum q 135

Christo prof usum sanguinem q 158

380

INDEX, LATIN

HYMN

Coelestis Agni nuptias q 112

Coelestis aulae Nuntius q 138

Coelestis urbs Jerusalem q 166

Coeli Deus sanctissime q 26

Coelitum Joseph q 105

Consors paterni luminis q 13

Cor, area legem continens q 84

Corpus domas jejuniis q 145

Creator alme siderum q 35

Crudelis Herodes, Deum q 46

Custodes hominum q 136

Decora lux q 116

Deus tuorum militum q 155

Dies Irae a 87

Domare cordis q 123

Doxologies, Special — following hymn 29

Dum nocte pulsa q Ill

Ecce jam noctis q 10

Egregie Doctor Paule q 91

En clara vox redarguit q 37

En ut superba 6riminum q 83

Ex more docti mystico q 49

Exultet orbis gaudiis q 153

Festivis resonent compita q 118

Fortem virili pectore q 165

Gentis PolonaB gloria q 144

Gloria, laus, et honor a 58

Hasc est dies, qua q 143

Hie breve vivitur q 171

Hominis superne Conditor q 28

Hora novissima q 170

Immense coeli Conditor q 24

In monte olivis q 139

Invicte Martyr, unicum q 156

381

INDEX LATIN

HYMN

Ira justa Conditoris q 119

Iste Confessor q 160

Iste, quern Iseti q 106

Jam Christus astra ascenderat q 69

Jam lucis orto sidere q 1

Jam morte victor q 140

Jam sol reeedit igneus q 29

Jam toto subitus q 131

Jesu, corona celsior q 162

Jesu, corona Virginum q 163

Jesu, decus angelicum a 45

Jesu, dulcis memoria a 43

Jesu, Redemptor omnium, Perpes q 161

Jesu, Redemptor omnium, Quem q 38

Jesu, Rex admirabilis a 44

Lauda Sion a 75

Lucis Creator optime q 23

Lustra sex a 53

Lux alma, Jesu q 130

Lux ecce surgit aurea q 18

Lux 0 decora q 122

Magnae Deus potentiae a 27

Maria castis osculis q 126

MartinaB celebri q 92

Martyr Dei Venantius q 109

Matris sub almse q 103

Memento, rerum Conditor q 152

Miris modis repente q 128

Nocte surgentes q 7

Non illam crucians q 93

Nox atra rerum contegit q 17

Nox, et tenebrae, et nubila q 16

Nullis te genitor q 108

Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus q 2

0 bona patria q 172

0 Deus, ego amo Te a 74

382

INDEX, LATIN

HYMN

0 gente f elix hospita q 97

0 gloriosa virginum q 151

0 Lux beata ccelitum q 95

0 Lux beata Trinitas a 71

Omnis expertem q 100

0 nimis f elix q 115

0 quot undis lacrimarum q 132

0 sola magnarum urbium q 47

0 Sol salutis, intimis q. 50

Opes decusque regium q 124

Pange lingua {Passion) q 52

Pange Lingua {Corpus Christi) a 76

Pascbale mundo gaudium q 64

Pater superni luminis q 125

Placare, Christe, servulis q 147

Praeclara custos virginum q 88

Primo die, quo Trinitas q 6

Quern terra, pontus, sidera q 150

Quicumque certum quaeritis q 85

Quicumque Cbristum quaeritis q 129

Quodcumque in orbe q 89

Rector potens, verax Deus q 3

Regali solio f ortis IberiaB q 107

Regina coeli, Isetare a 32

Regis superni nuntia q 142

Rerum Creator optime q 15

Rerum Deus tenax vigor q 4

Rex gloriose Martyrum q 157

Rex sempiterne coelitum q 61

Sacra jam splendent q 96

Sacris solemniis a 77

Salutis asternae dator q 148

Salutis humanae Sator q 65

Salve Regina a 33

Salvete Christi vulnera a 120

Salvete flores Martyrum q 42

Sancta Mater, istud agas a 55

383

INDEX, LATIN

HYMN

Sanctorum meritis q 159

Sedibus cceli q 121

Sio patres vitam q 102

Somno ref ectis artubus q 11

Splendor paternse glorias q 12

Stabat Mater dolorosa a 54

Stabat Mater speciosa a 57

SummaB Deus clementise q 133

SummaB Parens clementiae {Saturday) q 21

Summse Parens clementiae q 72

Summi Parentis Filio q 86

Summi Parentis Unice q 127

Te deprecante, corpormn q 146

Te Deum laudamus 8

Te dicimus praeconio q 98

Te gestientem gaudiis q 141

Te, Joseph, celebrent q 104

Telluris alme Conditor q 25

Te lucis ante terminum q 5

Te splendor et virtus Patris q 134

Tibi, Christe, splendor Patris a 134B

Tristes erant Apostoli q 63

Tu natale solum q 94

Tu, Trinitatis Unitas (Friday) q 19

Tu, Trinitatis Unitas q 73

Urbs Jerusalem beata a 168

Urbs Sion aurea q 1731

Ut queant laxis q 113

Veni Creator Spiritus q 68

Veni, Sancte Spiritus a 67

Veni, veni, Emmanuel a 34B

Verbum supernum prodiens (Advent) q 36

Verbum supernum prodiens a 78

Vexilla Regis prodeunt q 51

Victimae Pascbali a. 59

Virginis Proles q 164

Virgo virginum praBclara a 56

Printed by Bbnziger Brothers, New York

hnceton Theological Semmar.^^^^^^^

1 1012 01210 8900

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