TEMPUS QUADRAGESIMÆ: notanda

Ad Vesperas: in Officio dominicali: Gregorius Magnus?

Generally appointed for Vespers, sometimes Lauds, even in one case for Terce (Walpole).

Audi, benígne Cónditor,

nostras preces cum flétibus, (1)

sacráta in abstinéntia

fusas quadragenária.

Scrutátor alme córdium, (2)

infírma tu scis vírium;  (3)

ad te revérsis éxhibe

remissiónis grátiam.

Multum quidem peccávimus,

sed parce confiténtibus,

tuíque laude nóminis (4)

confer medélam lánguidis.

Sic corpus extra cónteri (5)

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.

1.       Cf. Ambrose, Aeterne rerum conditor: fletuque culpa solvitor; Prudentius, Nox et tenebrae et nublia: flendo et canendo quaesumus; Rex aeterne Domine: hymnum deflentes canimus; Christe, precamur adnue: mixtaque voces fletibus; Summae Deus clementiae: fletus, benigne, suscipe; Lucis creator optime: audi preces cum fletibus; Telluris ingens conditor: ut facta fletu diluat; Vox clara ecce intonate: vocem demus cum lacrimis (Walpole).

2.      Scutator cordium: Rom. 8:27: “[God] that searches hearts” (scrutatur corda) (Walsh and Husch); Ambrose, Hex. VI.44: scrutator cordis occulta (Walpole); Ps. 7:10: scrutans corda.

3.      Oxymoron: infirma cordium: ‘weakness of our strength’ (Walpole).

4.      Altered from: ad laudem tui nominis.

5.      “By afflicting our bodies with fasting we starve our minds from committing sin” (Walsh and Husch).

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, (1)

qui ob salútem méntium (2)

præcéperas ieiúnium,

Adésto nunc Ecclésiæ, (3)

adésto pæniténtiæ,

qua supplicámus cérnui (4)

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.

1.       Dicator = ‘magistrate, one who dictates’;

2.      ‘who with a view to the health of the soul didst in the days of old hallow this fast’ (Walpole)

3.      The second stanza of the original has been dropped: quo paradiso redderes/servata parsimonia/ quos inde gastrimargiae/ huc inlecebra depulit.

4.      The final two lines of this stanza are altered from the original: quae pro suis excessibus/ orat profusis feltibus.

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?

Generally appointed for Nocturns, sometimes Vespers (Walpole).

Ex more docti mýstico (1)

servémus abstinéntiam, (2)

deno diérum círculo

ducto quater notíssimo.

Lex et prophétæ prímitus (3)

hanc prætulérunt, póstmodum

Christus sacrávit, ómnium

rex atque factor témporum.

Utámur ergo párcius (4)

verbis, cibis et pótibus,

somno, iocis et árctius

perstémus in custódia.

Vitémus autem péssima

quæ súbruunt mentes vagas,

nullúmque demus cállido  (5)

hosti locum tyránnidis.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas, (6)

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

1.       Ex more = ‘by the custom’ (Walpole); mystico because the forty days of Lent are associated

 with cleansing and purifying: the forty days of the flood, Moses fasting forty days before

 meeting God, Elijah’s fast and that of Jesus ((Walsh and Husch).

2.      Original: servemus en ieiunium: denum for deno.

3.      Lex et prophetae … Christus sacravit: Gen. 7:12; Ex. 34:28; 3 Kings 19:8; Mk. 1:13.

4.      Rule of St. Benedict 49: abstention from food, drink, sleep, conversation, joking

5.      Cf. Eph. 4:27: nolite locum dare diabolo.

6.      Four stanzas are omitted from the original:

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.

Ad Laudes matutinas: in Officio dominicali: Gregorius Magnus?

This hymn consists of the second part of Ex more docti mýstico. (Milfull)

PRECEMUR omnes cernui, (1)

clamemus atque singuli,

ploremus ante iudicem,

flectamus iram vindicem

Nostris malis offendimus

tuam, Deus, clementiam;

effunde nobis desuper,

remissor, indulgentiam.

Memento quod sumus tui,

licet caduci, plasmatis; (2)

ne des honorem nominis (3)

tui, precamur, alteri.

Laxa malum quod fecimus,

auge bonum quod poscimus,

placere quo tandem tibi

possimus hic et perpetim.

1.       precemur originally dicamus.

2.      plasmatis from the Greek with the meaning of ‘fashioning anything, e.g. a statue but in Christian Latin the divine creation of the human body (Walsh and Husch).

3.      Isaiah 48:11: “I shall not give my glory to another”.

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 e 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. X

Nunc tempus acceptábile (1)

fulget datum divínitus,

ut sanet orbem lánguidum

medéla parsimóniæ. (2)

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.

1.       2 Cor. 6:2

2.      parsimóniæ = fast.

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.

In Officio feriali: saec. VI

Iam, Christe, sol iustítiæ, (1)

mentis dehíscant ténebræ, (2)

virtútum ut lux rédeat,

terris diem cum réparas.

Dans tempus acceptábile (3)

et pænitens cor tríbue,

convértat ut benígnitas (4)

quos longa suffert píetas;

Quiddámque pæniténtiæ

da ferre, quo fit démptio,

maióre tuo múnere,

culpárum quamvis grándium.

Dies venit, dies tua,  (5)

per quam reflórent ómnia;

lætémur in hac ut tuæ (6)

per hanc redúcti grátiæ.

Te rerum univérsitas,

clemens, adóret, Trínitas,

et nos novi per véniam

novum canámus cánticum. Amen. (7)

1.       Mal. 4:2: orietur vobis timentibus nomen meum sol iustitiae

2.      Dehíscant = ‘part, sunder’ (Walpole)

3.      2 Cor. 6.2

4.      Rom. 2:4: the goodness of God leads you to penance.

5.      Dies = Easter

6.      Ps. 117:24: haec est dies quam fecit Dominus, exultemus et laetemur in ea.

7.      Apoc. 14:3: cantabunt quasi canticum ante sedem.

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, (1)

qua spe perénni crédimus,

per caritátis grátiam

Christi canámus glóriam,

Qui ductus hora tértia (2)

ad passiónis hóstiam,

crucis ferens suspéndia

ovem redúxit pérditam. (3)

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.

1.       Three theological virtues: 1 Cor. 13:13:  Nunc autem manent fides, spes, caritas, tria hæc: major autem horum est caritas. Cf. Aeterna Christi munera:

devote sanctorum fides,

invicta spes credentium,

perfecta Christi caritas

mundi triumphat principem.

Fulgentis auctor aetheris:

Sed sol diem dum conficit,

fides profunda ferveat,

spes ad promissa provocet,

Christo conjungat caritas.

2.      Mk 15:25: erat autem hora tertia et crucifixerunt eum.

3.      Reference to the penitent thief: Lk. 23:43.

4.      a chirógrapho: Col. 2:14: delens quod adversum nos erat chirografum decretis quod erat contrarium nobis

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 (1)

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 (2)

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.

1.       Walpole says that the ‘thirst’ may refer to Joh. 4:6: erat autem ibi fons Iacob Iesus ergo fatigatus ex itinere sedebat sic super fontem hora erat quasi sexta or to Joh. 19.28: postea sciens Iesus quia iam omnia consummata sunt ut consummaretur scriptura dicit sitio. In any case the hymn prays that ‘he may enrich us with a thirst for righteousness”.

2.      fastidium = ‘a loathsome thing’ (Walpole)

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, (1)

sanctóque Iesu nómine

munus precémur véniæ.

Latrónis, en, conféssio (2)

Christi merétur grátiam;

laus nostra vel devótio

mercétur indulgéntiam. (3)

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.

1.       The number ‘three’ is holy because it refers to the Trinity.

2.      Walpole: “the robber’s acknowledgement wins Christ’s grace, may our praise and devotion procure us pardon”.

3.      Mercétur = ‘procure’ not ‘purchase’ (Walpole)

The holy number of the third of the three 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

Saturday: II & IV

Lauds : 7th -8th Centuries:

In an early MS this hymn is appointed for Saturday at Matins. The current breviary uses stanzas 1-3 and 10 of ten stanzas in the original. 

Diei luce reddita,

laetis gratisque vocibus

Dei canamus gloriam,

Christi fatentes gratiam,

Per quem creator omnium

diem noctemque condidit,

aeterna lege sanciens

ut semper succedant sibi.

Tu vera lux fidelium, (1)

quem lex veterna non tenet,

noctis nec ortu succidens,

aeterno fulgens lumine.

Praesta, Pater ingenite,

totum ducamus iugiter

Christo placentes hunc diem

Sancto repleti Spiritu. Amen

1.    Walpole: ‘thou the true light of the faithful, shining with eternal light, who art not bound by the ancient law, nor by the rising of each successive night’.

2.      Walsh and Husch:  lex veterna is not the Old Testament but alteration of light and darkness in the natural order.

As the light of day is returned, with joyful and grateful voices let us sing of God’s glory, confessing the grace of Christ. Through whom the creator of all made day and night, ordaining by an eternal law that one should succeed the other. True light of the faithful, whom the ancient law could not restrain, nor could the rising of the night, he who glows with eternal light.  Grant, O great Father, that we pass this whole day ever pleasing Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 14th Century (?)

Deus de nullo véniens,

Deus de Deo pródiens,

Deus ab his progrédiens,

in nos veni subvéniens.

Tu nostrum desidérium,

tu sis amor et gáudium;

in te nostra cupíditas

et sit in te iucúnditas.

Pater, cunctórum Dómine,

cum Génito de Vírgine,

intus et in circúitu

nos rege Sancto Spíritu.

Meménto, Sancta Trínitas,

quod tua fecit bónitas,

creándo prius hóminem,

recreándo per sánguinem.

Nam quos creávit Unitas,

redémit Christi cáritas;

patiéndo tunc díligens,

nunc díligat nos éligens.

Tríadi sanctæ gáudium,

pax, virtus et impérium,

decus, omnipoténtia,

laus, honor, reveréntia. Amen.

God from nothing coming forth, God begotten of God, God proceeding from both, come to help us. You are our desire, you are love and joy, may our yearning be for you and our happiness be in you. Father, Lord of all, with the Offspring of the Virgin, by the Holy Spirit govern us inwardly and outwardly. Remember, Holy Trinity, what your goodness has created, first by creating man, then by redeeming him with your blood. For what Unity created, the love of Christ redeemed, once loving us by showing patience, now loving us by choosing us. Joy to the Holy Trinity, peace, strength, and authority, respect, almighty power, praise, honor and reverence. Amen.

Vespers : St. Ambrose

Walpole: Ambrose probably wrote it for daily use throughout the  year and Ambrosian MSS give as rubric simply  hymnus uespertinalis. It was adopted into the later hymnary and there assigned to vespers on Saturday. 'Its general use is on Saturdays from that preceding the 1st Sunday after the Octave of the Epiphany to the Saturday before Quadragesima Sunday, both inclusive ; and from the Saturday preceding the 1st Sunday in August to Advent.' (Julian p. 290.)

Deus, creátor ómnium

políque rector, véstiens

diem decóro lúmine,

noctem sopóris grátia,

Artus solútos ut quies

reddat labóris úsui

mentésque fessas állevet

luctúsque solvat ánxios,

Grates perácto iam die

et noctis exórtu preces,

voti reos ut ádiuves,

hymnum canéntes sólvimus.

Te cordis ima cóncinant,

te vox canóra cóncrepet,

te díligat castus amor,

te mens adóret sóbria,

Ut cum profúnda cláuserit

diem calígo nóctium,

fides ténebras nésciat

et nox fide relúceat.

Christum rogámus et Patrem,

Christi Patrísque Spíritum;

unum potens per ómnia,

fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

O God, Creator of all, Ruler of the sky, vesting the day with beauteous light, night with the grace of rest. That quiet might loosen limbs and restore us for work and relieve weary minds, relax anxious grief. Grateful for the day that has passed and urged by the prayers of night, we sing and offer you a hymn that you would us keep our vows. May our inmost hearts sing to you, the tuneful voice resound, chaste desire love you, sober minds adore you. That when the deep darkness of night covers the day, faith may know no darkness and night may sparkle with faith. We ask this of Christ and his Father and the Spirit of Christ and the Father, one power through all things, O Trinity, favor those who pray. Amen.

 

Presentation: Office of Readings

Legis sacrátæ sanctis cæremóniis

subiéctus omnis cálamo Mosáico

dignátur esse, qui regit perfúlgidos

in arce Patris órdines angélicos,

cælúmque, terram fundávi ac mária.

Mater beáta carnis sub velámine

Deum ferébat úmeris castíssimis,

dúlcia strictis óscula sub lábiis

Deíque veri hominísque imprésserat

ori, iubénte quo sunt cuncta cóndita.

Hic lumen ardens géntium in óculis,

glória plebis Israélis gérminis;

pósitus hic est in ruínam scándali

et in salútem populórum ómnium,

donec secréta reveléntur córdium.

Glória Patri per imménsa sæcula,

sit tibi, Nate, decus et impérium,

honor, potéstas Sanctóque Spirítui:

sit Trinitáti salus indivídua

per infiníta sæculórum sæcula. Amen.

He who rules the brightly shining angelic orders in the heights of the Father, and who created heaven, earth and sea, is made wholly subject to rod of Moses with holy ceremonies of the holy law. The blessed Mother bears on her most chaste shoulders God under the veil of flesh, pressing sweet kisses on the lips of the mouth of the true God and man, by whose command all things were created. This is the burning light which shines upon the eyes of the Gentiles, the glory of the seed of his people Israel; this is he who is appointed for the fall of the stumbling block and for the salvation of all people, when the secrets of hearts are revealed. Glory to the Father through endless ages, to you, O Son, honor and authority, and honor and power to the Holy Spirit, praise to the undivided Trinity, through eternal ages. Amen.