Prudentius: Monastic Breviary: Lauds: Feria III: Liturgica Horarum Thursday: Office of Readings at night

This hymn is a good example of a hymn, which could be used at Lauds, as it was in the Monastic Breviary. Some of the very best hymns in the LH are those for the night office but many of us never say the nocturnal office. Some of them might need a bit of adjustment to fit the day office, but this hymn, despite the emphasis on being awake, works well for Lauds. The hymns for even weeks are somewhat weaker than those in the even weeks. So, this practice can strengthen the hymnody.

Ales diéi núntius

lucem propínquam præcinit;

nos excitátor méntium

iam Christus ad vitam vocat.

«Auférte — clamat — léctulos

ægros, sopóros, désides;

castíque, recti ac sóbrii

vigiláte; iam sum próximus».

Iesum ciámus vócibus

flentes, precántes, sóbrii;

inténta supplicátio

dormíre cor mundum vetat.

Tu, Christe, somnum dísice,

tu rumpe noctis víncula,

tu solve peccátum vetus

novúmque lumen íngere.

The winged messenger of the day proclaims the light is near; Now Christ, who awakens the mind from death, calls us to life. “Cast away your beds” he cries to the sick, the drowsy, and lazy; “You chaste, upright, and sober watch!  I am near.” We, weeping, praying, with sober minds cry aloud to Jesus: may our attentive supplication keep the clean heart from sleep. O Christ, dispel our sleep, break the chains of night, absolve our old sins and pour on us new light.