St. Therese: Prayer for Humility/Benedictine Hymns

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St. Therese: Prayer for Humility/Benedictine Hymns

O loving and gracious Infant Jesus, how full of love for us poor mortals is Thy divine heart! The fire of Thy love is burning day and night, emitting sparks of grace in the shape of countless benefits, showered on all men, even the greatest sinners. In order to comprehend the greatness of Thy heart, one would have to possess the love and wisdom of Thy dear Mother, of St. Joseph, (or of Thy most devoted worshiper Father Cyril *). How cold is my heart toward Thee; filled as it is with temporal and earthly concerns and the greatest self-love, there is no room left for a heroic love of God and my neighbor. What a miserable and wretched being I am! Thou, infinite majesty itself, most holy and most perfect, art most humble of heart; I, wretchedness and sin, am proud and conceited, and therefore also without peace of heart. Thou shouldst verily turn away Thy beautiful countenance from me, because I possess so little virtue. And yet I consider myself better than others, and even venture to criticize and belittle them! I know my own misery, and still I expect to be esteemed and praised, and even preferred to others! The least humiliation and neglect on the part of others pains me, and Thou art so humble, so forbearing, and so patient with the children of men! Divine Heart of my most loving Jesus infuse into me true humility and a right knowledge of myself, so that I may deserve to find one day favor in Thy sight. Give me grace to be humble and simple like a child, if I wish to go to the Father. Amen.

Note that the “Father Cyril”  was an important figure in establishing devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague in the 17th century. 

The Liturgy of the Hours uses the Common of Virgins or of Doctors for this Memorial, but the Monastic Diurnal from LeBarroux provides these hymns.

Vespers

Nomen decusque concinant
Teresiae almae virginis

Qui sancta divi Parvuli
Credunt amantque munera.

Carmeli summos vertices
Patrona Mater deligit:
Teresia illuc advolat,
Sponsi premens vestigial.

Afflata Jesu numine
Secreta pundit gratiae;
Magistra mundo simplices
Infantium docet vias.

Virtutis ipsa flosculos
Olent sacrata limina,
Quae casta virgo, ut angelus
Immissus e caelo, colit.

At jubilum non exprimit
Omnes amoris impetus;
Nec septa magnos claudere
Eius valent anhelitus.

Laus, honor, virtus, Gloria
Deo Patri et Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito
In saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Let us sing the name and honor of Therese the loving virgin, who trusted and loved the holy gifts of the divine Child. Her patron Mother loved the lofty heights of Carmel: there Therese flew, following in the steps of here Spouse. Stirred by the Spirit of Jesus she revealed the secrets of grace; she revealed the secrets of grace; a doctor she taught the world the simple way of the child. The little flowers of her virtue perfumed the holy doors of where she lived, a chaste virgin, sent like a angel from heaven. But joy could not wholly express all the power of her love; nor could the cloister enclose such blazing love. Laud, honor, might, glory to God the Father and the Son, and to holy Paraclete, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lauds

Immensa Christi caritas

Maiora cogit aggredi

Apostolorum et Martyrum

Actam corona viginum.

Optans amóris víctima

Ex igne adúri mlstico,

Sponsum precátur últimas

Flammas vorántes éxcitet.

Aeternitátis núntia

Optáta mors iam pérvenit:

Hac íngemens : Te díligo !

Terésia ad Christum émigrat.

Caeléstibus nunc gáudiis

Fruens, ab arce síderum,

Quas lárgiter promíseras,

Rosas meménto spárgere.

Tu corde Rex mitíssime,

Qui párvulis regnum paras,

Nos hanc secútos ingredi

Prasta beáta hmina.

Laus, honor, virtus, glória

Deo Patri et Filio,

Sancto simul Paráclito

In saculórum sécula. Amen.

The immense charity of Christ pressed this virgin adorned with a crown to climb to the height of the Apostles and martyrs. Desiring to be a victim of love, she was consumed by the mystical fire, she prays her groom to stir up the flames which devour her. The herald of eternity, the longed- for death now comes: She sighs ‘I love you!’ Therese is brought to Christ. You now tasting the celestial joys of heaven from the castle of the stars, remember to spread the abundant roses that you have promised.  And you, King of a most gentle heart, prepare a kingdom for the little ones, bring us who have followed this saint to a blessed entrance (into heaven).  Laud, honor, might, glory to God the Father and the Son, and holy Paraclete, for ever and ever. Amen.