CLARUM DECUS JEJUNII: The Glory of these Forty Days

 

In Quadragesima ad vesperam ‘Audi benigne conditor’, ad nocturnas ‘Clarum decus ieiuni’, ad matutinis  ‘Jesu quadragenariae’, per quattuor ebdomadas continue. --Ælfric's Letter to the Monks of Eynsham

Winchester, Durham, Sarum, York, etc.

The hymn is notable in that it sees fasting not as something gloomy but as bright and it gives us many examples of those figures who benefited from abstinence.  

Clarum decus jejunii

Monstratur orbi coelitus,

Quod Christus Auctor omnium

Cibis dicavit abstinens.

Hoc Moyses carus Deo

Legisque lator factus est,

Hoc Helyam per aera

Curru levavit igneo.

Hinc Daniel mysteria

Victor leonum viderat,

Per hoc amicus intimus

Sponsi Johannes claruit.

Hec nos sequi dona, Deus,

Exempla parcimonise,

Tu robur auge mentium

Dans spiritale gaudium.

The bright glory of fasting is shown the world from heaven, which Christ, the nourisher of the world, when he fasted from food, commanded. By this Moses, dear to God, was made the giver of the law; by this Elijah was raised to the sky in a fiery chariot. By this Daniel, victorious over the lion, beheld mysteries; through this John, the intimate friend of Christ,  glowed bright. Grant us to follow these examples of fasting, O God. Increase the strength of mind and so give spiritual joy.

Maurice F. Bell

The glory of these forty days

We celebrate with songs of praise;

For Christ, by Whom all things were made,

Himself has fasted and has prayed.

Alone and fasting Moses saw

The loving God Who gave the law;

And to Elijah, fasting, came

The steeds and chariots of flame.

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

Delivered from the lions’ might;

And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

The herald of Messiah’s Name.

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be

Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;

Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,

And give us joy to see Thy face.

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,

To thee be every prayer addressed,

Who art in threefold Name adored,

From age to age, the only Lord.