IN TRANSFIGURATIONE DOMINI

 

 

 

The Transfiguration: Homily by S. John Chrysostom   Hom. 56 on Matt. 

 

THE Lord had said much about dangers, much about his Passion, about the death and slaying of his disciples, and had laid many hard and grievous things upon them; and all these things concerned this present life and were nigh at hand; but the good things were to be expected and awaited: as, for example, that they should save their life if they had lost it; that he would come in the glory of his Father, and render the rewards. Now, in order to reassure them by sight, and to show them what that glory would be when he would come (at least, as much as they could comprehend in this present life) he showed it and unveiled it to them, to prevent any of them, especially Peter, from grieving over their own deaths, or that of the Lord.

 

AND see what he did when he discoursed on heaven and hell. For when he said, whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it, and when he said, He will reward every man according to his works, he indicated heaven and hell.

 

ALTHOUGH he discoursed on both, he allowed heaven to be seen by the eyes, but not hell; for although it would have been needful for men• who were unlearned and dull; these men were proved and instructed, and it was enough for them to be strengthened by better things. And this is much more becoming to him. But he did not leave out the other altogether, for sometimes he laid all the atrocity of hell as it were before their eyes, as in the parable of Lazarus, and in the account of the man who demanded back the hundred pence.

 

CONSIDER Matthew's wisdom in not concealing the names of those who had the first places. And John very often does the same, as when he truly and diligently describes Peter's excellency. For neither envy nor vainglory had any place in this company of the Apostles. Why did he take only these? Because they excelled the others. Why did he do it, not straightway, but after six days? Lest it should upset others among his disciples and followers; therefore, he made no mention beforehand of those whom he was going to take with him.

Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti, et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam, voce delápsa in nube lúcida, mirabíliter præsignásti: concéde propítius; ut ipsíus Regis glóriæ nos coherédes effícias, et ejúsdem glóriæ tríbuas esse consórtes.

 

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thine only-begotten Son didst confirm the mysteries of the faith by the witness of the fathers, and in the voice which came down from the shining cloud, didst wondrously foreshow the perfect adoption of sons: vouchsafe in Thy loving kindness, to make us coheirs with this King of glory, and to grant that we may be made partakers of that same glory

 

Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam mirabíliter præsignásti, concéde nobis fámulis tuis, ut, ipsíus dilécti Fílii tui vocem audiéntes, eiúsdem coherédes éffici mereámur.

 

Ad Officium lectionis: saec. XIII

 

Cæléstis formam glóriæ,

quam spes quærit Ecclésiæ,

in monte Christus índicat,

qui supra solem émicat.

 

Res memoránda sæculis:

tribus coram discípulis,

cum Elía, cum Móyse

grata promit elóquia.

 

Assístunt testes grátiæ,

legis vatúmque véterum;

de nube testimónium

sonat Patris ad Fílium.

 

Glorificáta fácie

Christus declárat hódie

quis honor sit credéntium

Deo pie fruéntium.

 

Visiónis mystérium

corda levat fidélium,

unde sollémni gáudio

clamat nostra devótio:

 

Pater, cum Unigénito

et Spíritu Paráclito

unus, nobis hanc glóriam

largíre per præséntiam. Amen.

 

Christ, who shines brighter than the sun, on the mountain reveals the beauty of heavenly glory, which the hope of the Church seeks. An event to be recalled through the ages: in the presence of three of his disciples Jesus, with Elijah and Moses, speaks pleasing words. Witnesses of grace stand near the prophets of the old law, as from a cloud the testimony of the Father concerning the Son is told. Christ, his face shining with glory, reveals the honor of the those who believe and enjoy the holy God. The mystery of this vision lifts up the hearts of the faithful, wherefore our devotion cries out with solemn joy. O Father, with the Only-begotten and the Spirit Comforter, grant us this glory now. Amen.

 

 

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. XII-XIII

 

Dulcis Iesu memória,

dans vera cordi gáudia,

sed super mel et ómnia

eius dulcis præséntia.

 

Nil cánitur suávius,

audítur nil iucúndius,

nil cogitátur dúlcius

quam Iesus Dei Fílius.

 

Iesu, dulcédo córdium,

fons veri, lumen méntium,

excédis omne gáudium

et omne desidérium.

 

Quando cor nostrum vísitas,

tunc lucet ei véritas,

mundi viléscit vánitas

et intus fervet cáritas.

 

Da nobis largus véniam,

amóris tui cópiam;

da nobis per præséntiam

tuam vidére glóriam.

 

Laudes tibi nos pángimus,

diléctus es qui Fílius,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat ínclitus. Amen.

 

Sweet memory of Jesus, giving true joys to the heart but sweeter even than honey and all things is his presence. Nothing better is sung, nothing happier is heard, nothing sweeter thought than Jesus the Son of God.  Jesus the sweetness of hearts, source of truth, light of minds, you surpass all joy and every desire. When you visit our hearts, then truth shines, the vanity of the world loses its appeal, and charity burns within us.  Grant to us the increase of pardon, the abundance of love; grant us to see your glorious presence. We sing our praises to you the beloved Son, Whom the shining splendor of the Father and the Spirit reveals. Amen.

 

 

Ad Vesperas: saec. IX

 

O nata lux de lúmine,

Iesu, redémptor sæculi,

dignáre clemens súpplicum

laudes precésque súmere.

 

Præ sole vultu flámmeus,

ut nix amíctu cándidus,

in monte dignis téstibus

apparuísti cónditor.

 

Vates alúmnis ábditos

novis vetústos cónferens,

utrísque te divínitus

Deum dedísti crédere.

 

Te vox patérna cælitus

suum vocávit Fílium,

quem nos fidéli péctore

regem fatémur cælitum.

 

Qui carne quondam cóntegi

dignátus es pro pérditis,

nos membra confer éffici

tui beáti córporis.

 

Laudes tibi nos pángimus,

diléctus es qui Fílius,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat ínclitus. Amen.

 

O Light begotten of light, Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, mercifully receive our humble praises and prayers. Flaming more than the face of the sun, whiter than the fall of snow, the Creator, you appeared with worthy witnesses on the mountain. Bringing the ancient prophets, hidden from the new disciples, you divinely caused them to believe that you were God. The heavenly voice of the Father called you his Son, whom we confess with faithful hearts to be the King of heaven. You who deigned to be clothed with our flesh for the sake of the lost, did make us members of your blessed body. We sing praises to you, who are the beloved Son, whom the shining splendor of the Father and the Spirit reveals. Amen

SS. IOACHIM ET ANNÆ, PARENTUM BEATÆ MARIÆ VIRGINIS

 

Ad Officium lectionis & ad Vesperas: saec. XVII?

 

Dum tuas festo, pater o colénde,

cántico laudes habet hæc coróna,

vocis ac mentis, Ióachim, benígne

  áccipe munus.

 

Longa te regum séries avórum

Abrahæ prolem tulit atque David;

clárior mundi dómina corúscas

  prole María.

 

Sic tuum germen benedícta ab Anna

éditum, patrum repetíta vota

implet, et mæsto próperat reférre

  gáudia mundo.

 

Laus tibi, Prolis Pater increátæ;

laus tibi, summi Súboles Paréntis;

summa laus, compar, tibi sit per omne,

  Spíritus, ævum. Amen.

 

O venerable father, Joachim, as this crown offers you praise with a festal hymn, kindly receive the gift of voice and mind. The long succession of kings, your ancestors, made you offspring of Abraham and David; you shine brighter because of your child, Mary, Lady of the whole world. Thus, your offspring issuing forth from blessed Anne fulfills the endless prayers of your fathers and hastens to turn the sorrow of the world into gladness. Praise to you, O Father of the uncreated Son, praise to you, O Progeny of the highest Father, highest and equal praise, O Spirit, be to you through all ages. Amen.

 

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. XV

 

Nocti succédit lúcifer,

quem mox auróra séquitur,

solis ortum prænúntians

mundum lustrántis lúmine.

 

Christus sol est iustítiæ,

auróra Mater grátiæ,

quam, Anna, præis rútilans

legis propéllens ténebras.

 

Anna, radix ubérrima,

arbor tu salutífera,

virgam prodúcens flóridam

quæ Christum nobis áttulit.

 

O matris Christi génetrix

tuque parens sanctíssime,

natæ favénte mérito,

nobis rogáte véniam.

 

The morning star succeeds to night, the dawn soon follows, announcing the rising of the sun, which illuminates the world with light. Christ is the Sun of justice, his Mother, the dawn of grace, whom resplendent Anne precedes, driving away the darkness of the old law.  O Anne, the most fruitful root, you, the saving tree, producing that flowering branch, which Christ brings to us. O Mother of the Mother of Christ, and you, Joachim, her most holy parent, by the merits of your daughter, ask for us pardon. 

Vespers: 10th Century: Apostles

 

 

Exsúltet cælum láudibus,

resúltet terra gáudiis:

Apostolórum glóriam

sacra canunt sollémnia.

 

 

Vos, sæcli iusti iúdices

et vera mundi lúmina,

votis precámur córdium,

audíte preces súpplicum.

 

Qui cælum verbo cláuditis

serásque eius sólvitis,

nos a peccátis ómnibus

sólvite iussu, quæsumus.

 

Quorum præcépto súbditur

salus et languor ómnium,

sanáte ægros móribus,

nos reddéntes virtútibus,

 

Ut, cum iudex advénerit

Christus in fine sæculi,

nos sempitérni gáudii

fáciat esse cómpotes.

 

Deo sint laudes glóriæ,

qui dat nos evangélicis

per vos doctrínis ínstrui

et prósequi cæléstia. Amen.

 

May heaven exult with praises, earth resound with joy: holy solemnities sing the glory of the Apostles. Who with a word close the doors to heaven and loosen its bars: we beseech you at your command absolve us from all our sins. By your decree ill health and the sickness are subdued: heal the sick and restore us to strength of life. That when Christ the Judge will come at the end of time, he will grant us to share in everlasting joys. Praises of glory be to God, who granted that through you we be instructed in the teaching of the Gospel and attain heaven. Amen.

Thursday: II & IV

 

 

Lauds: 8^th Century? Formerly the hymn for Prime. Walpole cites an older hymn for Prime: Post Matutinis Laudibus.

 

Iam lucis orto sídere (1)

Deum precémur súpplices,

ut in diúrnis áctibus

nos servet a nocéntibus. (2)

 

Linguam refrénans témperet,

ne litis horror ínsonet; (3)

visum fovéndo cóntegat, (4)

ne vanitátes háuriat.

 

Sint pura cordis íntima,

absístat et vecórdia; (5)

carnis terat supérbiam

potus cibíque párcitas;

 

Ut, cum dies abscésserit

noctémque sors redúxerit,

mundi per abstinéntiam

ipsi canámus glóriam.

 

1.       Lucis . . . sidere: the sun. 2. nocéntibus: ‘from all that may hurt us’. 3. ‘that grating strife may not resound on it’. 4. ‘that his protection may screen our eyes, lest they drink in vanities.’ Averte oculos meos, ne videant vanitatem ; in via tua vivifica me – Psalm 118:37. 5. vecordia:

folly, madness.

 

Not that the star of light has risen we humbly pray to God that in our daily work he would preserve us form what may hurt us. May he check and restrain the tongue that no fearsome strife may resound. May he favorably protect our sight that it may not drink of vanities. May our in most hearts be pure and may foolishness be gone; may moderation of food and drink wear down the pride of flesh. That when the day has departed and the lot of night has returned through abstinence of worldly things we may sing his glory.

 

 

John Mason Neale

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high,
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today.

May He restrain our tongues from strife,
And shield from anger’s din our life,
And guard with watchful care our eyes
From earth’s absorbing vanities.

O may our inmost hearts be pure,
From thoughts of folly kept secure,
And pride of sinful flesh subdued
Through sparing use of daily food.

So we, when this day’s work is o’er,
And shades of night return once more,
Our path of trial safely trod,
Shall give the glory to our God.

 

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10^th Century

 

Amóris sensus érige

ad te, largítor véniæ,

ut fias clemens córdibus

purgátis inde sórdibus.

 

Extérni huc advénimus

et éxsules ingémimus;

tu portus es et pátria,

ad vitæ duc nos átria.

 

Felix quæ sitit cáritas

te fontem vitæ, o Véritas;

beáti valde óculi

te speculántis pópuli.

 

Grandis est tibi glória

tuæ laudis memória,

quam sine fine célebrant

qui cor ab imis élevant.

 

Arouse in us feelings of love for you, O Giver of pardon, that you may have mercy and cleanse us from stain. We come as strangers and groan as exiles: you are the gate and fatherland: lead us to the courts of life. What happy love thirsts for is you, O truth, source of life; blessed indeed are the eyes of the people who see you.  Yours is great glory: the memorial of your praise, to whom the lowly raise their hearts without end.  

 

 

Vespers: Hélisachar:  7^th-8^th Centuries

 

Deus, qui claro lúmine

diem fecísti, Dómine,

tuam rogámus glóriam (1)

dum pronus dies vólvitur. (2)

 

Iam sol urgénte véspero (3)

occásum suum gráditur,

mundum conclúdens ténebris,

suum obsérvans órdinem.

 

Tu vero, excélse Dómine,

precántes tuos fámulos (4)

diúrno lassos ópere

ne sinas umbris ópprimi,

 

Ut non fuscátis méntibus (5)

dies abscédat sǽculi,

sed tua tecti grátia (6)

cernámus lucem prósperam.

 

1.       ‘we pray to thy glory’ 

2.      pronus ‘on its downward course’

3.      vespero = Vesperus = Hesperius = the evening star

4.      ‘and thou, O most high Lord, may the night welcome into its quiet thy servants who wearied with the day’s toil now pray’

5.      ‘that this day  (the natural day almost gone)  may not depart leaving our souls darkened but that we shielded by thy grace may see a happy morrow’

6.      tecti = covered as with a shield’

 

God, who made the day bright with light, O Lord, we pray to your glory as the fall of day comes round.  Now the sun pressed by the evening steps to its setting, observing its order covers the world with darkness.  To you truly, most high Lord, we pray that you not permit your servants weary from daily work to be oppressed by the darkness. That this past day not leave our minds darkened but rather protected by your grace we may see happy light.

St. Mary Magdalene:

 

 Vespers: St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J. (1542-1621).

 

Pater superni luminis,

Cum Magdalenam respicis,

Flammas amoris excitas,

Geluque solvis pectoris.

 

Amore currit saucia

Pedes beatos ungere,

Lavare fletu, tergere

Comis, et ore lambere.

 

Astare non timet Cruci,

Sepulcro inhæret anxia:

Truces nec horret milites,

Pellit timorem caritas.

 

O vera, Christe, caritas,

Tu nostra purga crimina,

Tu corda reple gratia,

Tu redde cæli præmia.

 

Patri, simulque Filio,

Tibique Sancte Spiritus,

Sicut fuit, sit iugiter

Sæclum per omne gloria. Amen.

 

 

Monastic Diurnal

 

O FATHER of celestial rays,

When thou on Magdalene dost gaze,

The flame of burning love appears,

Her icy heart dissolves

in tears.

 

Wounded by love, she hastens o'er

The feet of Christ her tears to pour,

Anoints them, wipes them with her hair,

And prints adoring kisses there.

 

Fearless, the Cross she will not leave:

And grieving, to the Tomb doth cleave: 

No ruthless soldiers cause her dread:

For from her love all fear hath fled.

 

O Christ, true Charity thou art;

Purge thou the foulness of our heart,

Fill every soul with grace and love,

And give us thy rewards above.

 

All laud to God the Father be;

All praise, eternal Son, to thee;

All glory, as is ever meet,

To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

 

Matins: att. St. Gregory the Great

 

Nardo Maria pistico

Unxit beatos Domini

Pedes, rigando lacrimis,

Et detergendo crinibus.

 

Honor, decus, imperium,

Sit Trinitati unicæ,

Patri, Nato, Paraclito,

Per infinita sæcula. Amen.

 

 

His sacred feet with tears of agony

She bathes; and prostrate on the earth adores;

Steeps them in kisses chaste, and wipes them dry

With her own hair; then forth her precious ointment pours.

 

Praise in the highest to the Father be;

Praise to the mighty coeternal Son;

And praise, O Spirit Paraclete, to Thee,

While ages upon everlasting ages run.

 

Lauds: attr. St. Odo of Cluny, (878-942).

 

Æterni Patris Unice,

Nos pio vultu respice,

Qui Magdalenam hodie

Vocas ad thronum gloriæ.

 

In thesauro recondita

Regis est drachma perdita,

Gemmaque lucet inclita

Ex luto luci reddita.

 

Iesu dulce refugium,

Spes una pœnitentium,

Per peccatricis meritum

Peccati solve debitum.

 

*Nos vitiorum stimuli

Iugi vexant instantia,

Et blandimentis sæculi

Corrumpunt lenocinia.

 

*Libet, nec licet libere

Tibi pro voto psallere,

Dum mens ægra sub miseræ

Carnis gemiscit onere.

 

Pia mater et humilis,

Naturæ memor fragilis,

Nos rege tuis precibus

In huius vitæ fluctibus.

 

Uni Deo sit gloria

Pro multiformi gratia,

Qui culpas et supplicia

Remittit, et dat præmia. Amen.

 

*Verses omitted in monastic texts and translations.

 

THOU only Son of God on high,

Regard us with a gracious eye,

Who weeping Magdalene dost own

And call unto thy glorious throne.

 

Lo! In the royal coffers laid

Again, the long lost coin displayed;

The noble gem of sparkling sheen,

From mire recovered, glows serene.

 

Jesu, our refuge sure and sweet,

Thee, hope of penitents, we greet;

Forgive the hearts that fain would break,

For that repentant sinner's sake.

 

And may that Mother kind and meek

Think on our nature frail and weak,

And raise her prayer that we may gain

A passage safe o'er life's rough main.

 

To God alone be honor paid

For grace so manifold displayed:

Their guilt he pardons who repent,

And gives reward for punishment. Amen

Wednesday: Weeks II & IV

 

 

Lauds: 5^th-6^th Century

 Appointed by Caesarius for Prime but later at Matins on Wednesday, e.g. Mozarabic  breviary.

Fulgéntis auctor ǽtheris,

qui lunam lumen nóctibus, (1)

solem diérum cúrsibus

certo fundásti trámite, (2)

 

Nox atra iam depéllitur,

mundi nitor renáscitur, (3)

novúsque iam mentis vigor (4)

dulces in actus érigit. (5)

 

Laudes sonáre iam tuas

dies relátus ádmonet,

vultúsque cæli blándior (6)

nostra serénat péctora. (7)

 

Vitémus omne lúbricum, (8)

declínet prava spíritus, (9)

vitam facta non ínquinent,

linguam culpa non ímplicet; (10)

 

Sed, sol diem dum cónficit, (11)

fides profúnda férveat,

spes ad promíssa próvocet,

Christo coniúngat caritas

 

Præsta, Pater piíssime,

Patríque compar Unice,

cum Spíritu Paráclito

regnans per omne sǽculum. Amen.

 

 

1.       Genesis 1.16: ‘who hast set the moon to lighten the night, the sun with fixed orbit to lighten the day’s course.’ 2. tramite = an orbit; 3. nitor = brightness of dawn; 4. novus: revived by sleep;

5. dulces actus: sweet acts because done with more ease in the day than in the night; blandior

= more pleasant than the dark; 7. serénat = brightens, illuminates; 8. Lúbricum; slippery,  so sin or danger, connotes danger; 9. declínet: turn away, go aside; 10. implicet: entangle; 11. cónficit: completes.

Author of the glittering sky, you established in a secure orbit the moon as light for night, the sun for the course of day. Dark night now is driven away, the brightness of the world is reborn, now new strength of mind directs us in pleasing deeds. Day returned admonishes us to sing your praises and the countenance of the more pleasant sky brightens our hearts. Let us shun all deceit, the spirit decline crooked things, our actions not indict our life, faults not entangle the tongue. But, while the sun makes the day, may deep faith burn, hope call us to the divine promises, love join us to Christ. 

 

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10^th Century

 

Christe, lux vera, bónitas et vita,

gáudium mundi, píetas imménsa,

qui nos a morte vívido salvásti

sánguine tuo,

 

Insere tuum, pétimus, amórem

méntibus nostris, fídei refúnde

lumen ætérnum, caritátis auge

dilectiónem.

 

Procul a nobis pérfidus absístat

Satan, a tuis víribus confráctus;

Sanctus assístat Spíritus, a tua

sede demíssus. Amen

 

O Christ, the true light, goodness and life, the joy of the world, immense love, who saves us from living death by your blood. Put love in our souls, pour out the eternal light of faith, increase our love of charity. May envious Satan, broken by your strength, be far from us; May the Holy Spirit, sent down from your throne, come to our aid. Amen.

 

Vespers:  novus

 

Sol, ecce, lentus óccidens

montes et arva et ǽquora

mæstus relínquit, ínnovat

sed lucis omen crástinæ,

 

Mirántibus mortálibus

sic te, Creátor próvide,

leges vicésque témporum

umbris dedísse et lúmini.

 

Ac dum, ténebris ǽthera

siléntio preméntibus,

vigor labórum déficit,

quies cupíta quǽritur,

 

Spe nos fidéque dívites

tui beámur lúmine

Verbi, quod est a sǽculis

splendor patérnæ glóriæ.

 

Est ille sol qui nésciat

ortum vel umquam vésperum;

quo terra gestit cóntegi,

quo cæli in ævum iúbilant.

 

Hac nos seréna pérpetim

da luce tandem pérfrui,

cum Nato et almo Spíritu

tibi novántes cántica. Amen.

 

Behold the sun slowly setting, now sadly abandons mountains, fields and streams but makes anew a sign of tomorrow’s light. To astonished mortals, you, the Creator providentially give the rules and changes of time, shadows and light. And while, the darkness remains in the silent sky, strength for work declines, quiet is desired and sought. May we be blessed by the light of your Word, made rich with hope and faith, the eternal brightness of the Father’s glory. This is the Sun, which knows no rising, no evening, by which the earth hastens to be covered, by which the heavens rejoice forever. By this peaceful light grant that we may at last enjoy, with the Son and Holy Spirit, singing to you a new hymn.. Amen.