TEMPUS QUADRAGESIMÆ

Ad Vesperas: in Officio dominicali: Gregorius Magnus?

Audi, benígne Cónditor,

nostras preces cum flétibus,

sacráta in abstinéntia

fusas quadragenária.

Scrutátor alme córdium,

infírma tu scis vírium;

ad te revérsis éxhibe

remissiónis grátiam.

Multum quidem peccávimus,

sed parce confiténtibus,

tuíque laude nóminis

confer medélam lánguidis.

Sic corpus extra cónteri

dona per abstinéntiam,

ieiúnet ut mens sóbria

a labe prorsus críminum.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas,

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

O Kind Creator, hear our prayers mixed with tears poured out in this holy forty-day fast.  O sustaining Searcher of hearts, you know the weakness of our strength; show to us who have turned back to you the remission of our sins. Indeed we have sinned much but spare those who confess their sins; to the praise of your name grant healing to the sick. Grant that our bodies may be outwardly broken through abstinence that a temperate mind may fast from falling headlong into sin. Grant, O Blessed Trinity, give, O simple Unity, to those who are yours the fruitful rewards of fasting. Amen.

In Officio feriali: saec. X

Iesu, quadragenáriæ

dicátor abstinéntiæ,

qui ob salútem méntium

præcéperas ieiúnium,

Adésto nunc Ecclésiæ,

adésto pæniténtiæ,

qua supplicámus cérnui

peccáta nostra dílui.

Tu retroácta crímina

tua remítte grátia

et a futúris ádhibe

custódiam mitíssime,

Ut, expiáti ánnuis

compunctiónis áctibus,

tendámus ad paschália

digne colénda gáudia.

Te rerum univérsitas,

clemens, adóret, Trínitas,

et nos novi per véniam

novum canámus cánticum. Amen.

O Jesus, who established these forty days of abstinence, who decreed this fast for the salvation of souls: Be present with thy Church, assist our penitence, by which,  we humbly pray, that  our sins may be washed away. By your grace forgive us our past sins and gently guard us against future sins.: that cleansed by these yearly acts of contrition we may be prepared to celebrate Easter with worthy joy.  All things worship you, O merciful Trinity, and made new by your pardon we sing a new song. Amen.

 Ad Officium lectionis: in Officio dominicali: Gregorius Magnus?

Ex more docti mýstico

servémus abstinéntiam,

deno diérum círculo

ducto quater notíssimo.

Lex et prophétæ prímitus

hanc prætulérunt, póstmodum

Christus sacrávit, ómnium

rex atque factor témporum.

Utámur ergo párcius

verbis, cibis et pótibus,

somno, iocis et árctius

perstémus in custódia.

Vitémus autem péssima

quæ súbruunt mentes vagas,

nullúmque demus cállido

hosti locum tyránnidis.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas,

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

Instructed by the spiritual life we persevere in abstinence in the familiar cycle of four times ten days. The Law and the Prophets first taught this; afterwards Christ himself sanctified it, he who is the ruler and creator of all things. Therefore let us use sparingly words, food and drink, sleep and jokes and be more careful in keeping guard. Let us shun wicked things, which sabotage our wandering minds and not give place to our crafty enemy in his tyranny. Grant, O Blessed Trinity, give, O simple Unity, to those who are yours the fruitful rewards of fasting. Amen.

In Officio feriali: saec. X

Nunc tempus acceptábile

fulget datum divínitus,

ut sanet orbem lánguidum

medéla parsimóniæ.

Christi decóro lúmine

dies salútis émicat,

dum corda culpis sáucia

refórmat abstinéntia.

Hanc mente nos et córpore,

Deus, tenére pérfice,

ut appetámus próspero

perénne pascha tránsitu.

Te rerum univérsitas,

clemens, adóret, Trínitas,

et nos novi per véniam

novum canámus cánticum. Amen.

Now the acceptable time, given by God,  flashes forth to heal the infirm world with the remedy  of frugality. The day of salvation glimmers with the beautiful light of Christ, while abstinence restores hearts wounded by guilt. O God, keep us perfect in soul and body, that we may ever hunger for the coming of the happy paschal feast. All things worship you, O merciful Trinity, and made new by your pardon we sing a new song. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas: in Officio dominicali: Gregorius Magnus?

Precémur omnes cérnui,

clamémus atque sínguli,

plorémus ante iúdicem,

flectámus iram víndicem:

Nostris malis offéndimus

tuam, Deus, cleméntiam;

effúnde nobis désuper,

remíssor, indulgéntiam.

Meménto quod sumus tui,

licet cadúci, plásmatis;

ne des honórem nóminis

tui, precámur, álteri.

Laxa malum quod fécimus,

auge bonum quod póscimus,

placére quo tandem tibi

possímus hic et pérpetim.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas,

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

Let us all pray on bended knee and each of us cry out, imploring and weeping before the angry and avenging judge. With our evil ways we have offended your mercy, O God; O Redeemer pour out on us your pardon from above.  Remember that we belong to you, although we are weak, you made us; we pray do not give the honor of your name to another.  Forgive the evil we have done, increase the good we seek and by which we are able to please you here and always.  Grant, O Blessed Trinity, give, O simple Unity, to those who are yours the fruitful rewards of fasting. Amen.

In Officio feriali: saec. VI

Iam, Christe, sol iustítiæ,

mentis dehíscant ténebræ,

virtútum ut lux rédeat,

terris diem cum réparas.

Dans tempus acceptábile

et pænitens cor tríbue,

convértat ut benígnitas

quos longa suffert píetas;

Quiddámque pæniténtiæ

da ferre, quo fit démptio,

maióre tuo múnere,

culpárum quamvis grándium.

Dies venit, dies tua,

per quam reflórent ómnia;

lætémur in hac ut tuæ

per hanc redúcti grátiæ.

Te rerum univérsitas,

clemens, adóret, Trínitas,

et nos novi per véniam

novum canámus cánticum. Amen.

Now, O Christ, Sun of righteousness,  let the darkness of the mind be rent,  that the light of the virtues may return, when you restore day to the world. You grant the acceptable time; give us  a penitent heart, that your kindness may convert those whom your love has long endured. Grant us to bear some penitential severity that our sin, however great, be removed by your greater gift. The day comes, your day, through which all things flourish; we rejoice in that day through which we are returned to your grace.  All things worship you, O merciful Trinity, and made new by your pardon we sing a new song. Amen.

Ad Tertiam: saec. VIII

Dei fide, qua vívimus,

qua spe perénni crédimus,

per caritátis grátiam

Christi canámus glóriam,

Qui ductus hora tértia

ad passiónis hóstiam,

crucis ferens suspéndia

ovem redúxit pérditam.

Precémur ergo súbditi,

redemptióne líberi,

ut éruat a sæculo

quos solvit a chirógrapho.

Christum rogámus et Patrem,

Christi Patrísque Spíritum;

unum potens per ómnia,

fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

Faith in God, by which we live, in eternal hope by which we believe, through the grace of love we sing the glory of Christ.  Who was lead at the third hour to the sacrifice of the passion,  bearing the gibbet of the cross he returned the lost sheep.  We humbly pray therefore that delivered by his redemption he would rescue from the world those he freed from the charge. We ask Christ and the Father and the Spirit of Christ and the Father, one power through all things, O Trinity, cherish those who pray to you. Amen.

Ad Sextam: saec. VIII

Qua Christus hora sítiit

crucem vel in qua súbiit,

quos præstat in hac psállere

ditet siti iustítiæ.

Simul sit his esúries,

quam ipse de se sátiet,

crimen sit ut fastídium

virtúsque desidérium.

Charísma Sancti Spíritus

sic ínfluat psalléntibus,

ut carnis æstus frígeat

et mentis algor férveat.

Christum rogámus et Patrem,

Christi Patrísque Spíritum;

unum potens per ómnia,

fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

The hour when Christ thirsted or submitted himself to the cross, when he grants those who sing this hour to be enriched with a thirst for righteousness.  At the same time may they hunger that Christ might fill them with himself that wearied by sin they may desire virtue.  May the gifts of the Holy Spirit so pour down upon those who praise you that the heat of flesh may grow cold and cold souls might  become fervent.  We ask Christ and the Father and the Spirit of Christ and the Father, one power through all things, O Trinity, cherish those who pray to you. Amen.

Ad Nonam: saec. VIII

Ternis ter horis númerus

nobis sacrátus pánditur,

sanctóque Iesu nómine

munus precémur véniæ.

Latrónis, en, conféssio

Christi merétur grátiam;

laus nostra vel devótio

mercétur indulgéntiam.

Mors per crucem nunc ínterit

et post tenébras lux redit;

horror dehíscat críminum,

splendor nitéscat méntium.

Christum rogámus et Patrem,

Christi Patrísque Spíritum;

unum potens per ómnia,

fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

The holy number of the third of the hours is reached and by the holy name of Jesus we beg the gift of pardon. Behold the confession of the thief merited the grace of Christ; may our praise and devotion purchase forgiveness. Now death perishes through the cross and after darkness light returns;  the fear of sin is purged, the splendor of souls shines.  We ask Christ and the Father and the Spirit of Christ and the Father, one power through all things, O Trinity, cherish those who pray to you. Amen.

 

What makes a good liturgical hymn?

What makes a good liturgical hymn? 

A friend recently asked me what makes a good hymn? I had to reply: it all depends on what the hymn is used for, what is its context. I can, however, say what makes a good liturgical hymn, a hymn used in the context of the official liturgy of the Church, especially the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. What Sr. Mary Gonzaga OSU wrote about the collect applies with equal force, maybe even more force to liturgical hymns: 

"All these devices of the art of language are necessary for us, for they enable us: (1) to grasp clearly the lessons embodied in the Prayers (docere); (2) to make these lessons more acceptable to us through the charm of diction and structure, in a word, through their appeal to our aesthetic sense (delectare); (3) to persuade us (movere) to mold our conduct in accordance with the principles of faith set forth in the Prayers. This explains  why rhetoric is, and must be, found in the liturgy: it is to dispose us to pray "ut oportet," as we ought to pray.'"

from Rhetoric in the Sunday Collects of the Roman Missal

CATHEDRÆ S. PETRI APOSTOLI

Ad Laudes matutinas: Paulinus II aquileiensis

Another Lombard grammarian, and one who earned the special affection of Alcuin, was Paulinus, who was born about 730, and after the destruction of the Lombard kingdom entered the service of the conqueror. Charles showed him great favour and made him a teacher of grammar in the royal school. He was, with Alcuin, the tutor of Angilbert, and continued at the school until, in 787, Charles promoted him to the Patriarchate of Aquileia. Deprived of the presence of his much loved companion, Alcuin sent him frequent letters and verses, and in one touching poem he begs that he will remember him before the altar of God:

sis memor Albini sacris altaribus adstans,

et dukes inter lacrimas super ora fiuentes

die: miserere, deus, nostro clementer amico,

criminibusque suis veniam largire benignus,

ut te cum sanctis Iiceat laudare per aevurn.!

The verses on the festival of Peter and Paul are in a higher strain, and rise at times to a note of lyrical beauty, as in the last stanzas which celebrate the Rome of the martyrs: 

o Roma felix, quae tantorum principum

es purpurata precioso sanguine,

excellis omnem mundi pulchritudinem,

non laude tua, sed sanctorum rneritis,

quos cruentatis iugulasti gladiis.

vos ergo modo, gloriosi martyres,

Petre beate, Paule, mundi lilium,

caelestis aulae triumphales milites

precibus almis vestris nos ab omnibus

munite malis, ferte super aethera."

Raby ibid. pp.168-169.

Petrus beátus catenárum láqueos

Christo iubénte rupit mirabíliter;

custos ovílis et doctor Ecclésiæ,

pastórque gregis, conservátor óvium

arcet lupórum truculéntam rábiem.

Quodcúmque vinclis super terram strínxerit,

erit in astris religátum fórtiter,

et quod resólvit in terris arbítrio,

erit solútum super cæli rádium;

in fine mundi iudex erit sæculi.

Glória Patri per imménsa sæcula,

sit tibi, Nate, decus et impérium,

honor, potéstas Sanctóque Spirítui;

sit Trinitáti salus indivídua

per infiníta sæculórum sæcula. Amen.

Blessed Peter, at Christ’s command, wondrously broke the trap of chains; Guardian of the fold and Teacher of the Church, Shepherd of the flock and Protector of the sheep he drives away the violent rage of the wolves.  Whatever he bounds with chains on earth will be firmly bound in heaven and what by his judgement is unloosed on earth will be unloosed in the height of heaven: in the end he will judge the world. Glory to the Father through infinite ages, praise and authority to you, O Son, honor and power to the Holy Spirit, undivided strength to the Trinity though the infinity of the ages. Amen.

Ad Vesperas: novus

Divína vox te déligit,

piscátor, ac pro rétibus

remísque qua tu glória

cæli refúlges clávibus!

Tenax amóris próferens

ac dulce testimónium,

omnes amor quos láverat

oves regéndas áccipis.

Lapsus, supérno róbore

tu petra stas Ecclésiæ,

qua splendet illa sæculis,

nullis subácta víribus.

Tu, Petre, Christi oráculo

luces magíster ómnium,

fratrésque firmas, próvidus

tu verba vitæ núntias.

Gregem fac unum, próspera

lætis in ævum frúctibus,

salvúmque ab hostis ímpetu

ad lucis adduc pábula.

Sit summa Christo glória,

qui nos det aulæ cælicæ

intráre per te iánuam

in sempitérna gáudia. Amen.

The divine voice chose you, O Fisherman, that instead of nets and oars your shining glory should be the keys of heaven. Firm confessor sweet witness of love, you receive all those whom love has cleansed  as sheep of the kingdom. Although fallen, by heavenly strength you are the Rock of the Church, by which she shines through the ages and no power has overcome her. You, O Peter, by Christ’s command are the Teacher of all and you strengthen your brothers, as you watchfully proclaim the words of life. Prosper and unite the flock that she might be joyously fruitful through the ages and safe from the enemy’s attack until she reach the pastures of light. To Christ be highest glory, who through you, O Peter, grants us to enter in endless praise the gate of the heavenly court. Amen.