Hymn to St. Augustine

Magne Pater Augustine,

Preces nostras suscipe

Et per eas Conditori

Nos unire satage:

Atque rege gregem tuum,

Summum decus praesulum.

Amatorem paupertatis

Te collaudant pauperes:

Assertorem veritatis

Amant veri judices:

Frangis nobis favos mellis,

De Scripturis disserens.

Quae obscura prius erant

Nobis plana faciens,

Tu de verbis Salvatoris

Dulcem panem conficis,

Et propinas potum vitae

De Psalmorum nectare.

Tu de vita clericorum

Sanctam scribis regulam,

Quam qui amant et sequuntur

Viam tenent regiam,

Atque tuo sancto ductu

Redeunt ad patriam.

Regi regum salus, vita,

Decus, et imperium:

Trinitati laus et honor

Sit per omne saeculum,

Quae concives nos adscribat

Supernorum civium.

HOLY Father, Saint Augustine,

Hearken to thy children's cry;

Plead for us as now thou standest

Near the throne of God on high:

Guide thy flock O loving Shepherd,

Who to us in Christ art high.

Holy poverty's true lover,

All Christ's poor ones hymn thy praise,

Truth's own champion and defender,

Loved by all who seek her ways;

Scripture's God-enlightened teacher,

All her wealth thy pen displays.

Lighting depths obscure and hidden,

Thou dost break us heavenly bread

From the doctrine of our Saviour,

From the gracious words he said;

With the Psalm's life-giving nectar

All who learn of thee are fed.

For the white-robed canon's choir

Laws of wisdom thou didst frame:

Those who love thy words and keep them,

Thy sure patronage may claim;

Safe, they treat the ways of Sion,

Calling on thy worthy name.

Glory to the King of Ages;

Praise and triumph to his reign;

Let us sound our answering strain;

E'en now, 'neath our Patron's banner,

Citizens of heaven's domain. Amen.