The Immaculate Heart of Mary from the Office of Our Lady 1962

 

 

Matins/Office of Readings/Vespers

 

Jesu, Mariæ gloria,

Cordis præclåra Virginis

 Cor intonat præc6nia,

Nostris adésto cånticis.

 

Ave, Cor admiråbile,

Incomprehénsa continens,

Vas ångelis spectåbile,

Cæléste manna pröferens.

 

Pars nostra, spes et gåudium,

Cctåsque,nostri glöria,

Amor perénnis, omnium

Jungat tibi præcördia.

 

Redémpta Christi gråtia,

Fac corda Christo vivere,

Calcåre mundi sömnia,

Se tota Jesu trådere.

 

Glöria tibi, Dömine,

Qui natus es de Virgine,

Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu,

In sempitérna sécula. Amen.

 

 

 

On Jesu, Mary's diadem,

Assist us now harmoniously

To offer homage to a Heart

Maternal yet Immaculate.

 

Hail to thee, Heart most wonderful,

Thou vessel of the Infinite,

Angel-revered receptacle

Replete with Manna from the sky.

 

Our hope, our joy, our heritage,

Our boast and point of pilgrimage:

May love undying, everything

Bind our hearts ever to thy Heart.

 

Redeemed by generosity

Of Christ, to Christ revivify

Our hearts; from earthly vanities

Yield them to Jesus utterly.

 

O saving Lord, be glorified,

Thou offspring of virginity,

With Father and with Holy Ghost

Reigning to all eternity. Amen.

 

 

Lauds

 

Quid Corde Matris Virginis

Coli postest sacratius?

Cordi suprémi Numinis

Quid Corde tanto  gratius.

 

Amoris est miråculum,

Triümphus almi Spiritus ;

Dignum Deo spectåculum,

Jucünda spes mortålibus.

 

Nos ergo sanctæ Virginis,

Cordisque tam miråbilis

Colåmus omnes régia

Flexo genu magnålia.

 

Gloria tibi, Domine,

Qui natus es de Virgine,

Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu,

In sempitérna sécula. Amen.

 

The Mother-Maiden’s sinless heart,

What holier can we revere?

What heart is there surpassing hers,

To God’s own peerless heart most dear.

 

It is a miracle of love,

The triumph Of the Holy Ghost,

A sight to please the eyes of God,

Sweet hope to man's death-shadowed host.

 

Then let us to this holy Maid

Do reverence on bended knee,

Praising the deeds of royal might

Her heart has wrought so wondrously.

 

O Lord, to thee be glory given,

Whom once the Virgin-Mother bore;

To Father with the Holy Ghost

Be glory now and evermore. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SACRATISSIMI CORDIS IESU

 

 

Fr. Connelly:

The hymns for this feast, usually dated to eighteenth century, are 'evidently the work of the same author', His name is not known. From Henry, Eucharistica, p. 235, the following appreciation: '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.' However true this may be in other respects, it is scarcely true in the reference to St Ambrose. A hymn is something to be sung, and a good hymn is, among other things, easily singable. St Ambrose's hymns satisfy these requirements, while these do not; and by that criterion they are not good hymns.

 

 

Ad I & II Vesperas: Philippus Bruni

 

Formerly used at Matins.

 

Auctor beáte sæculi,

Christe, Redémptor ómnium,

lumen Patris de lúmine

Deúsque verus de Deo:

 

Amor coégit te tuus

mortále corpus súmere, (1)

ut, novus Adam, rédderes (2)

quod vetus ille abstúlerat:

 

Ille amor, almus ártifex

terræ marísque et síderum,

erráta patrum míserans

et nostra rumpens víncula.

 

Non corde discédat tuo

vis illa amóris íncliti:

hoc fonte gentes háuriant

remissiónis grátiam.

 

Ad hoc acérbam lánceam

passúmque ad hoc est vúlnera,

ut nos laváret sórdibus

unda fluénte et sánguine.

 

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui corde fundis grátiam,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

 

1.       mortale: man’s, human; 2. Cf. Romans 5:12-21;

 

Blessed creator of the world, O Christ, redeemer of all, light from the light of the Father, and true God from God.  Your love compelled you to take a mortal body that you as the new Adam might restore what the old Adam took away.  That love, O generous maker of the earth and the seas and stars,  caused you to have mercy  on our first parents’ errors and to break our chains.  May the flow of  the power of that glorious love not cease to flow; may the nations drink form that from that fountain the grace of remission of sins. For this you suffered the sharp lance and for this the wounding that it might cleanse us from our sins by the flow of water and blood. To you, O Jesus, be glory, who poured from your heart grace, with the Father and strengthening Spirit, in eternal ages. Amen.

 

Ad Officium lectionis: Philippus Bruni

 

Formerly used at Lauds

 

Cor, arca legem cóntinens

non servitútis véteris, (1)

sed grátiæ, sed véniæ,

sed et misericórdiæ;

 

Cor, sanctuárium novi

intemerátum fœderis,

templum vetústo sánctius (2)

velúmque scisso utílius: (3)

 

Te vulnerátum caritas (4)

ictu paténti vóluit, (5)

amóris invisíbilis

ut venerémur vúlnera.

 

Hoc sub amóris sýmbolo (6)

passus cruénta et mýstica,(7)

utrúmque sacrifícium

Christus sacérdos óbtulit.

 

Quis non amántem rédamet? (8)

quis non redémptus díligat

et caritáte iúgiter

hærére Christo géstiat?

 

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui corde fundis grátiam,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

 

 

1.       temple more holy than the one of old, vetusto sc. templo.

2.      The Heart is called a temple as signifying here the humanity of our Lord in whom dwelt the fulness of the Godhead; cf. Col. 2, 9. A temple essentially is a place where God dwells.

3.      The Heart is called a veil with reference to the opening of our Lord's side. The torn veil in the Temple exposed to view the mysterious and sacred objects of Jewish worship. The opening of our Lord's side disclosed to men the mysteries of the new Law.

4.      Te refers to our Lord through the word Cor, which is the subject of the address of the first eight lines.

5.      ictu patenti; with an open wound, perhaps patenti=patefacienti, i.e. with a wound which disclosed. Thus man would be given visible proof and a visible symbol of His invisible love;

St John is the only one to describe the opening of our Lord's side and is also alone in recording that after the resurrection our Lord showed His side as well as His hands and feet; cf. Luke 24, 40 and John 20, 20 and 27. It is John also who especially connects caritas and amor with our Lord (cf. lines 9, 11 and 13 Of this hymn), and is the special advocate of love of our Lord. Thus, devotion to the Sacred Heart may in a special way be traced back to the beloved disciple.

6.      hoc. . . symbolo, i.e. the Heart.

7.      The victim, passus, on the cross, cruenta, and at the last supper, mystica. Utrumque refers to cruenta and mystica. The identity of Priest and Victim is stated in line 16; cf. also 149, 13—20.

8.     The hymn owes much in thought and expression to St Bonaventure; cf. Vulneratum est ut per vulnus visibile, vulnus amoris invisibile videamus. . . .  Quis illud cor tam vulneratum non diligat? quis tam amans (sc. cor) non redamet? . . . Nos igitur adhuc in carne manentes, quantum possumus, amantem redamemus.

 

Your heart contains the law, not the of law of slavery, but the law of grace, of pardon and of mercy.  Your hear is the undefiled sanctuary of the new covenant, a holier temple than the old one, a veil more profitable than the one that was torn. Love desired that you be wounded with a blow that opens you, invisible love that we might worship your wounds. Under this symbol of love, Christ suffered cruelly and mystically, as a priest he offered a twofold sacrifice. Who would not respond in love of one who loves this way? Who redeemed would not love and in love cleave always to Christ?  O Jesus, to you be glory, who from your heart poured out grace, with the Father and strengthening Spirit, in eternal ages. Amen.

 

Ad Laudes matutinas: Bernardus claravallensis?

 

Iesu, auctor cleméntiæ,

totíus spes lætítiæ,

dulcóris fons et grátiæ,

veræ cordis delíciæ:

 

Iesu, spes pæniténtibus,

quam pius es peténtibus,

quam bonus te quæréntibus;

sed quid inveniéntibus?

 

Tua, Iesu, diléctio,

grata mentis reféctio,

replet sine fastídio,

dans famem desidério.

 

O Iesu dilectíssime,

spes suspirántis ánimæ,

te quærunt piæ lácrimæ,

te clamor mentis íntimæ.

 

Mane nobíscum, Dómine,

Mane novum cum lúmine,

pulsa noctis calígine

mundum replens dulcédine.

 

Iesu, summa benígnitas,

mira cordis iucúnditas,

incomprehénsa bónitas,

tua nos stringit cáritas.

 

Iesu, flos Matris vírginis,

amor nostræ dulcédinis,

laus tibi sine términis,

regnum beatitúdinis. Amen.

 

O Jesus, author of mercy, the hope of complete joy and source of sweet grace and the true delight of the heart. O Jesus, hope of the penitent, how loving to those who ask you in prayer, how good to those who seek you; but what do they find? Your love, O Jesus, pleasing refreshment of the soul, he fills without weariness,  satisfying our hunger with desire. O most loving Jesus, hope of those who aspire for you, holy tears seek you, cry to you from deep inside the soul. Abide with us, O Lord, in the morning with the new light, drive away the darkness of night, filling the world with your sweetness.  O Jesus, highest kindness, wondrous joy of the heart, limitless goodness, your love urges us on. O Jesus, flower of the virgin Mother, love of our sweetness, praise to you without end in the kingdom blessed. Amen.

 

Wednesday: Weeks II & IV

 

 

Lauds: 5^th-6^th Century

 Appointed by Caesarius for Prime but later at Matins on Wednesday, e.g. Mozarabic  breviary.

Fulgéntis auctor ǽtheris,

qui lunam lumen nóctibus, (1)

solem diérum cúrsibus

certo fundásti trámite, (2)

 

Nox atra iam depéllitur,

mundi nitor renáscitur, (3)

novúsque iam mentis vigor (4)

dulces in actus érigit. (5)

 

Laudes sonáre iam tuas

dies relátus ádmonet,

vultúsque cæli blándior (6)

nostra serénat péctora. (7)

 

Vitémus omne lúbricum, (8)

declínet prava spíritus, (9)

vitam facta non ínquinent,

linguam culpa non ímplicet; (10)

 

Sed, sol diem dum cónficit, (11)

fides profúnda férveat,

spes ad promíssa próvocet,

Christo coniúngat caritas

 

Præsta, Pater piíssime,

Patríque compar Unice,

cum Spíritu Paráclito

regnans per omne sǽculum. Amen.

 

 

1.       Genesis 1.16: ‘who hast set the moon to lighten the night, the sun with fixed orbit to lighten the day’s course.’ 2. tramite = an orbit; 3. nitor = brightness of dawn; 4. novus: revived by sleep;

5. dulces actus: sweet acts because done with more ease in the day than in the night; blandior

= more pleasant than the dark; 7. serénat = brightens, illuminates; 8. Lúbricum; slippery,  so sin or danger, connotes danger; 9. declínet: turn away, go aside; 10. implicet: entangle; 11. cónficit: completes.

Author of the glittering sky, you established in a secure orbit the moon as light for night, the sun for the course of day. Dark night now is driven away, the brightness of the world is reborn, now new strength of mind directs us in pleasing deeds. Day returned admonishes us to sing your praises and the countenance of the more pleasant sky brightens our hearts. Let us shun all deceit, the spirit decline crooked things, our actions not indict our life, faults not entangle the tongue. But, while the sun makes the day, may deep faith burn, hope call us to the divine promises, love join us to Christ. 

 

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10^th Century

 

Christe, lux vera, bónitas et vita,

gáudium mundi, píetas imménsa,

qui nos a morte vívido salvásti

sánguine tuo,

 

Insere tuum, pétimus, amórem

méntibus nostris, fídei refúnde

lumen ætérnum, caritátis auge

dilectiónem.

 

Procul a nobis pérfidus absístat

Satan, a tuis víribus confráctus;

Sanctus assístat Spíritus, a tua

sede demíssus. Amen

 

O Christ, the true light, goodness and life, the joy of the world, immense love, who saves us from living death by your blood. Put love in our souls, pour out the eternal light of faith, increase our love of charity. May envious Satan, broken by your strength, be far from us; May the Holy Spirit, sent down from your throne, come to our aid. Amen.

 

Vespers:  novus

 

Sol, ecce, lentus óccidens

montes et arva et ǽquora

mæstus relínquit, ínnovat

sed lucis omen crástinæ,

 

Mirántibus mortálibus

sic te, Creátor próvide,

leges vicésque témporum

umbris dedísse et lúmini.

 

Ac dum, ténebris ǽthera

siléntio preméntibus,

vigor labórum déficit,

quies cupíta quǽritur,

 

Spe nos fidéque dívites

tui beámur lúmine

Verbi, quod est a sǽculis

splendor patérnæ glóriæ.

 

Est ille sol qui nésciat

ortum vel umquam vésperum;

quo terra gestit cóntegi,

quo cæli in ævum iúbilant.

 

Hac nos seréna pérpetim

da luce tandem pérfrui,

cum Nato et almo Spíritu

tibi novántes cántica. Amen.

 

Behold the sun slowly setting, now sadly abandons mountains, fields and streams but makes anew a sign of tomorrow’s light. To astonished mortals, you, the Creator providentially give the rules and changes of time, shadows and light. And while, the darkness remains in the silent sky, strength for work declines, quiet is desired and sought. May we be blessed by the light of your Word, made rich with hope and faith, the eternal brightness of the Father’s glory. This is the Sun, which knows no rising, no evening, by which the earth hastens to be covered, by which the heavens rejoice forever. By this peaceful light grant that we may at last enjoy, with the Son and Holy Spirit, singing to you a new hymn.. Amen.

Monday: Weeks II & IV: Lux et totum

 

 

Lauds: before 6^th Century: Walpole: “This beautiful and evidently ancient hymn” (Walsh & Hutch) does not appear in either the New or the Old Hymnal. It was composed by one of the many imitators of Ambrose. The original in Walpole is in eight verses not counting the doxology.

 

Lucis largítor spléndide,

cuius seréno lúmine

post lapsa noctis témpora

dies refúsus pánditur,

 

Tu verus mundi lúcifer,

non is qui parvi síderis

ventúræ lucis núntius

angústo fulget lúmine,

 

Sed toto sole clárior,

lux ipse totus et dies,

intérna nostri péctoris

illúminans præcórdia.

 

Evíncat mentis cástitas

quæ caro cupit árrogans,

sanctúmque puri córporis

delúbrum servet Spíritus.

 

Sit, Christe, rex piíssime,

tibi Patríque glória

cum Spíritu Paráclito

in sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

 

O splendid Giver of light, by whose brightness, after the fall of night, day is poured forth again and opened (across the sky). You are the true Morning Star, not he who is a dimer star and mere herald of the coming light, who shines with a narrow light.  Rather you are total Light itself and Day brighter than the Sun, bringing light to the inner depths of the heart. May chastity of mind triumph over that which arrogant flesh demands and may the Spirit keep the holy temple of our bodies pure.

 When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: Walfrad Strabo (808-849)

Vita sanctórum, via, spes salúsque,

Christe, largítor probitátis atque

cónditor pacis, tibi voce, sensu

pángimus hymnum:

 

Cuius est virtus manifésta totum

quod pii possunt, quod habent, quod ore,

corde vel factis cúpiunt, amóris

igne flagrántes.

 

Témporum pacem, fídei tenórem,

lánguidis curam veniámque lapsis,

ómnibus præsta páriter beátæ

múnera vitæ.

 

Æqua laus summum célebret Paréntem

teque, Salvátor, pie rex, per ævum;

Spíritus Sancti résonet per omnem

glória mundum. Amen.

 

O Christ, the life of the Saints: the way and hope of salvation, the giver of uprightness and author of peace, to you with voice and mind we sing a hymn.  Your power has been revealed: all that the holy can do, possess, desire in word, heart or deed, burning with the fire of love. Grant peace in our day, faith preserved, health to the sick, and pardon for the fallen and to all together the gifts of a blessed life. May equal praise honor the Father supreme, and you, O Savior, holy King, through the ages and may the glory of the Holy Spirit resound throughout the world. Amen.

 

 

Vespers: Alcuin 735-804

Lúminis fons, lux et orígo lucis,

tu pius nostris précibus favéto,

luxque, peccáti ténebris fugátis,

nos tua adórnet.

 

Ecce transáctus labor est diéi,

teque nos tuti sumus adnuénte;

en tibi grates ágimus libéntes

tempus in omne.

 

Solis abscéssus ténebras redúxit:

ille sol nobis rádiet corúscus

luce qui fulva fovet angelórum

ágmina sancta.

 

Quas dies culpas hodiérna texit,

Christus deléto pius atque mitis,

pectus et puro rútilet nitóre

témpore noctis.

 

Laus tibi Patri, decus atque Nato,

Flámini Sancto párilis potéstas,

cuncta qui sceptro régitis suprémo

omne per ævum. Amen.

 

O Fount of light, light itself and source of light, in your holiness favor our prayers: put to flight the darkness of sin and adorn us with your light. See the work of day is done and by your promise we are safe; we eagerly give thanks to you at all times. The sun’s departure returns the darkness; may that splendid divine Sun sheds its rays upon us with that golden light which the holy hosts of angels cherish. May Christ, holy and meek, blot out today’s hidden sins;  may the heart glow  with pure brightness during the night. Praise to you, O Father, and honor to the Son, the same power to the fiery Spirit, you who with the loftiest scepter rule all things for ever. Amen.

6. Pope Gregory II Commends Bishop Boniface to the Christians Of Germany (1 December 722)

Bishop Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the very reverend and holy brethren, fellow-bishops, religious priests and deacons, dukes, provosts, counts and all Christian men who fear God.

Knowing that some of the peoples in the parts of Germany that lie on the eastern bank of the Rhine have been led astray by the wiles of the devil and now serve idols under the guise of the Christian religion, and that others have not yet been cleansed by the waters of holy Baptism, but like brute beasts are blind to their Creator, we have taken great care to send the bearer of these letters, our revered brother and fellow-bishop Boniface, into these parts to enlighten them and to preach the word of faith, so that by his preaching he may teach them the way of eternal life, and when he finds those who have been led astray from the path of true faith or been misled by the cunning of the devil he may reprove them, bring them back to the haven of salvation, instruct them in the teachings of this Apostolic See and confirm them in the Catholic faith.

We exhort you, then, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the reverence you bear to his apostles, to support him by all the means at your disposal and to receive him in the name of Jesus, Christ, according to what is written of His disciples: "He who receiveth you, receiveth me." See to it that he has all he requires; give him companions to escort him on his journey, provide him with food and drink and anything else he may need, so that with the blessing of God the work of piety and salvation committed' to him may proceed without hindrance, and that you yourselves may receive the reward of your labours and through the conversion of sinners may find treasure laid up for you in heaven.

If, therefore, any man assists and gives succour to this servant of God sent by the Apostolic See for the enlightenment of the heathen, may he enjoy through the prayers of the princes of the Apostles the fellowship of the saints and martyrs of Jesus Christ.

But if (which God forbid) any man should attempt to hinder his efforts and oppose the work of the ministry entrusted to him and his successors, may he be cursed by the judgment of God and condemned to eternal damnation.

Fare ye well.

St. Justin Martyr

 

The Office of Readings: Prudentius

Beáte (Beáta) martyr, próspera

diem triumphálem tuum,

quo sánguinis merces tibi

coróna vincénti datur.

 

Hic (Hæc) te ex tenébris sæculi,

tortóre victo et iúdice,

evéxit ad cælum dies

Christóque ovántem réddidit.

 

Nunc angelórum párticeps

collúces insígni stola,

quam testis indomábilis

rivis cruóris láveras.

 

Adésto nunc et óbsecra,

placátus ut Christus suis

inclínet aurem prósperam,

noxas nec omnes ímputet.

 

Paulísper huc illábere

Christi favórem déferens,

sensus graváti ut séntiant

levámen indulgéntiæ.

 

Honor Patri cum Fílio

et Spíritu Paráclito,

qui te coróna pérpeti

cingunt in aula glóriæ. Amen.

 

O blessed martyr, bless us who keep the day of your triumph, when at the cost of your blood you were given a crown of victory. Today you entered heaven and left behind the darkness of the world, victorious over torturer and judge, returning praise to Christ. Now with the angels you wear the noble stole which in your indomitable witness you washed with your streaming blood.  Be with us now and plead that it may please Christ favorably to hear and not count against us any faults.  Shine upon here but a little while, bringing the favor of Christ that those heavy with the sense of sin may feel the consolation of pardon. . Honor to the Father with the Son and the Spirit Paraclete, who crowned you with an eternal crown in the courts of glory. Amen.

 

 

 

Lauds: 9^th Century

Martyr Dei, qui (quæ) únicum

Patris sequéndo Fílium

victis triúmphas hóstibus,

victor (victrix) fruens cæléstibus.

 

Tui precátus múnere

nostrum reátum dílue,

arcens mali contágium,

vitæ repéllens tædium.

 

Solúta sunt iam víncula

tui sacráti córporis;

nos solve vinclis sæculi

amóre Fílii Dei.

 

Honor Patri cum Fílio

et Spíritu Paráclito,

qui te coróna pérpeti

cingunt in aula glóriæ. Amen.

 

O victorious martyr of God, now enjoying heaven, by following the only Son of the Father, you triumphed and conquered the enemy. Through the gift of your prayers wash away our guilt, defending us from the contagion of evil and repelling the weariness of life. Now the chains that held your holy body have been loosened; by the love of God free us from the chains of the world. Honor to the Father with the Son and the Spirit Paraclete, who crowned you with an eternal crown in the courts of glory. Amen.

 

 

Vespers: 5^th-7^th Centuries

Deus, tuórum mílitum

sors et coróna, præmium,

laudes canéntes mártyris

absólve nexu críminis.

 

Hic (Hæc) testis ore prótulit

quod cordis arca crédidit,

Christum sequéndo répperit

effusióne sánguinis.

 

Hic (Hæc) nempe mundi gáudia

et blandiménta nóxia

cadúca rite députans,

pervénit ad cæléstia.

 

Pœnas cucúrrit fórtiter

et sústulit viríliter;

pro te refúndens sánguinem,

ætérna dona póssidet.

 

Ob hoc precátu súpplici

te póscimus, piíssime;

in hoc triúmpho mártyris

dimítte noxam sérvulis.

 

Ut consequámur múneris

ipsíus et consórtia,

lætémur ac perénniter

iuncti polórum sédibus.

 

God, the lot, crown and reward of your soldiers, loosen from the bounds of sin those who sing praises to this martyr. By mouth he bore witness to what he believed in treasury of his heart; When his blood was poured out, he found Christ by following him.  Indeed rightly judging the joys of the world and its dangerous flattery to be fleeting, he entered into heaven.  Bravely he met punishment and strongly he persevered; pouring out his blood for your sake he attained eternal gifts. For this reason, O most loving God, on the triumph day of the martyr, we ask in humble supplication, drive away danger from your servants.  That we too may have a share in his graces and rejoice forever to be seated in heaven.