From the Rhymed Office of St. Thomas Aquinas

The Hymns of the Dominican Missal and Breviary

Aquinas Byrnes, OP

ANTIPHON AFTER PSALMS IN FIRST VESPERS

Felix Thomas, Doctor Ecclesiæ,

Lumen mundi, splendor Italiæ.

Candens Virgo flore munditiæ,

Bina gaudet corona gloriæ.

Saint Thomas, Doctor of the Church divine,

Italia's Star, to all the world a light,

A virgin with chaste lily shining bright,

The twofold crown of glory now is thine.

MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON IN FIRST VESPERS

Scandit Doctor, civis cælestium,

Orbis decus, dux, lux fidelium,

Norma, limes, lex morum omnium,

Vas virtutum, ad vitæ bravium.

Fair virtue's urn, dweller of the height,

The world's high boast, the faithful's guide and light,

The norm and bound and law of morals right,

To life's true prize our Doctor's soul takes flight.

INVITATORY OF MATINS

Adsunt Doctoris cælici

Thomæ festa solemnia:

Devotione supplici

Laudes promat Ecclesia.

This is Saint Thomas' festal-day.

Celestial Doctor of the King:

Let Mother Church, in prayerful lay,

Devoutly all his praises sing.