S. MARCI, EVANGELISTÆ

I think we are bound to say that these two new hymns for the Feast of St. Mark are not the most successful of the new Latin hymns, both in terms of lyrical grace and theological content. Ellipse and periphrasis are taken to the point of obscurity. The hymn for the Office of Readings relates nothing peculiar to St Mark and could be used for any of the evangelists. To some extent the hymn for Lauds and Vespers makes up for this deficiency: e.g. the reference to brevity of St. Mark's Gospel: módico libéllo.

Ad Officium lectionis: novus

O vir beáte, Apóstolis

comes labórum sédule

adiútor atque múneris,

laudes precésque súscipe.

Christi per illos núntios

exórta sunt lætíssima

et veritátis sæcula

et pacis atque gáudii.

Assúmptus et tu cælitus

ad tanta consors póndera,

compar nitéscis glória

potentiáque prómines.

Tu, seminátor lúminis,

fac sole Christi vívido

virére ubíque gérmina

cæli replénda ad hórrea.

Simúlque cum primóribus

summo astitúrus Iúdici,

da nostra solvi débita,

nos da fovéri grátia.

Sit Trinitáti glória,

quæ præstet in cæléstibus

nos eius omni témpore

gaudére tecum præmiis. Amen.

O blessed man, companion to the apostles and honored helper in their difficult work,   receive our praises and prayers. Through those messengers of Christ a most happy time of truth and peace  and joy was proclaimed.  You were taken to dwell and share in heaven for such a great work, shining forth with glory and power equal to the Apostles. You, the sower of light, by living under the sun of Christ make the seeds to grow even to fill the granaries of heaven. May you along with the noble Apostles stand before the highest Judge and grant us absolution of our debts and favor us with grace. Glory to the Trinity, who grants us to rejoice  in rewards with you in heavenly company   for ever. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas & Ad Vesperas: novus

Méntibus lætis tua festa, Marce,

atque pergrátis celebrámus omnes,

magna qui Christi tribuísse plebi

  te memorámus.

Matris exémplis, vénerans amóre

férvido Petrum, séqueris fidélis,

verba de Christi lábiis ab ipso

  hausta recóndis.

Spíritu accénsus, módico libéllo

mira tu summi réseras Magístri

gesta, tu narras quibus et loquélis

  ínstruat orbem.

Carus et Paulo, studiósus eius

cordis ardóres ímitans, labóras,

multa pro Iesu páteris, cruórem

  fundis amánter.

Laus, honor Christo, decus atque virtus,

cuius et testes valeámus esse,

ac, tuis escis recreáti, in ævum

  cérnere vultum. Amen.

With joy and thankfulness, O Mark, we all celebrate your feast, we remember the great things of Christ you taught the people.  You followed faithfully the example of the Mother, venerating with fervent love Peter, you recorded the words drawn from the lips of Christ. Enkindled by the Spirit in your short gospel you revealed the wondrous  deeds of the  Master, you recounted the words by which he taught the world. Dear to Paul, you were anxious to imitate the fervor of his heart, to suffer much for the sake of Jesus, you lovingly poured out your blood. Praise and honor, glory and power to Christ, whose witnesses may we also be and refreshed by the nourishment of your gospel contemplate his face forever. Amen.