S. GREGORII MAGNI, PAPÆ ET ECCLESIÆ DOCTORIS

 

 

St. Peter Damian wrote the two customary hymns for St. Gregory the Great. In the Monastic Breviary “Anglórum iam apóstolus” is used for Vespers and “Mella cor obdulcantia” for Lauds. The LH uses only “Anglórum iam apóstolus” for Laudes and Vespers with a hymn from the Common of Doctors, “Aeterne sol, qui lumine” for the Office of Readings.

 

Ad Laudes matutinas & ad vesperas: Petrus Damianus

 Anglórum iam apóstolus,

nunc angelórum sócius,

ut tunc, Gregóri, géntibus,

succúrre iam credéntibus.

 

Tu largas opum cópias

omnémque mundi glóriam

spernis, ut inops ínopem

Iesum sequáris príncipem.

 

Te celsus Christus póntifex

suæ præfert Ecclésiæ;

sic Petri gradum pércipis,

cuius et normam séqueris.

 

Scriptúræ sacræ mýstica

mire solvis ænígmata,

excélsaque mystéria

te docet ipsa Véritas.

 

O póntifex egrégie,

lux et decus Ecclésiæ,

non sinas in perículis

quos tot mandátis ínstruis.

 

Sit Patri laus ingénito,

sit decus Unigénito,

sit utriúsque párili

maiéstas summa Flámini. Amen.

Once the Apostle to the English, now the companion of the angels, as you did then, now come to help the nations of believers. You spurned abundant riches and all the glory of the world, that poor you might follow the Lord Jesus who was poor. You the heavenly Christ selected as Pontiff over his Church; so, you obeyed the way of Peter and followed his example. You wondrously unraveled the spiritual enigmas of holy Scripture and taught the great mysteries of the Truth. O great Pontiff, light and honor of the Church, do not leave in danger those whom you have instructed so well in the commandments.  Praise to the Unbegotten Father, honor to Only-begotten Son, and equal to both, majesty to the most high Spirit. Amen.

 

St. Peter Damian: Hymn for Lauds: St Gregory the Great: Lauds

 Mella cor obdulcantia

Tua distillant labia,

Fragrantum vim aromatum

Tuum vincit eloquium.

 

Scripturæ sacræ mystica

Mire solvis ænigmata,

Theorica mysteria

Te docet ipsa Veritas.

 

Tu nactus apostolicam

Vicem simul et gloriam,

Nos solve culpæ nexibus,

Redde polorum sedibus.

 

O Pontifex egregie,

Lux et decus Ecclesiæ,

Non sinas in periculis,

Quos tot mandatis instruis.

 

Sit Patri laus ingenito,

Sit decus Unigenito,

Sit utriusque parili

Majestas summa Flamini. Amen.

 

From Thy lips there flows honey that brings sweetness to the heart. Thy words are more fragrant than the richest perfume.  Admirably dost thou solve the obscure figures of Sacred Writ. The divine mysteries are taught thee by Him that is the very Truth. O thou that hast the office and the glory of the Apostles, pray for us, that we may be loosened from the bonds of sin, and obtain the thrones prepared for us above. O excellent Pontiff! Light and ornament of the Church! Thou hast so richly instructed us,—assist us in our dangers. To the unbegotten Father, and to his Only Begotten Son, and to the Spirit of them both, be praise and highest kingship. Amen.