From: MX%"messler@gate.net" 28-JUN-1994 00:38:37.54 To: MX%"cms@dragon.com" CC: Subj: Return-Path: Received: from inca.gate.net by DRAGON.COM (MX V4.1 VAX) with SMTP; Tue, 28 Jun 1994 00:35:42 EDT Received: (from messler@localhost) by inca.gate.net (8.6.9/8.6.9) id AAA72470 for cms@dragon.com; Tue, 28 Jun 1994 00:32:04 -0400 Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 00:32:04 -0400 From: Art Messler Message-ID: <199406280432.AAA72470@inca.gate.net> To: cms@dragon.com -------------------------------------------------------------- ------ Thesaurus Precum Latinarum Ad maiorem Dei gloriam -------------------------------------------------------------- ------ This file contains a collection of Latin prayers taken from the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. Originally I compiled these for my own study, use and devotions, but others have shown an interest in these prayers and have asked for copies of this prayer or that prayer from my collection from time to time. As a result, I have gone through my collection and assembled a text file of Latin prayers that can be shared amongst those who have a soft spot in their hearts for them. My motivations in compiling my collection are many, but the main one is I felt (and still feel) that much of the Church's spiritual treasures have been neglected this later half of the 20th century. This, I think, is a mistake, for just as it is important to understand the historical nature and development of our doctrines and theology and how they rest upon apostolic authority, I feel it is as important to have a broad perspective concerning prayer and liturgy in the Church for the last 2,000 years. My collection is an attempt at this. By cataloging, identifying, and tracing the history of prayers used in the Church, hopefully a sense of the timelessness of the Church's prayer life and liturgy will be developed. I have enjoyed collecting these prayers and have derived a great deal of spiritual benefits meditating upon the words they contain. Hopefully others will too. As an footnote I want to comment about the mention of indulgences in these texts. The sole purpose of my collection is to collect and maintain Latin prayers/liturgy etc. and with each piece I include a translation. One criterion for the translation is that it must be 'close' (admittedly a very subjective term) to the Latin. This is done to maintain a strong relationship between the Latin and the English, especially for those who are interested in these prayers, but can only follow the Latin partially or not at all. This way those who have an interest in the Latin, but lack fluency, can appreciate these prayers to the fullest. To the above end, I am NOT (in general) using the latest ICEL versions from the recent Enchridion of Indulgences. While many of ICEL's translations are quite pretty in the English, they are much to far from the Latin originals in most cases to qualify as 'close' translations. Instead, I am using older translations that are much closer to the Latin and in some cases my own. I mention this since I cannot say for sure whether the indulgence applies to these English versions. Thus, the notice of an indulgence attached to a prayer below is for informational purposes only. If you wish to make use of the attached indulgences, I suggest you get hold of versions with explicit approval. Please feel free to enjoy this file and pass it along to anyone who might be interested. All I ask is that my name and e-mail address be attached so that if anyone spots an error or has a favorite Latin prayer they might care to share with me, they can find me on InterNet. Enjoy! Michael Martin aardvark@ial4.jsc.nasa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Contents -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Basics Creeds Triune God God the Father God the Son The Cross The Sacred Heart The Precious Blood Holy Name God the Holy Spirit Confession Prayers Before and After Mass Eucharistic Adoration Daily Prayer Cycle Morning Prayer Mid-Day Prayer Evening Prayer Compline The Blessed Virgin Mary The Angels Saint Joseph The Holy Family The Saints Various Occasions For Meetings Thanksgiving For Grace For Guidance Before and After Meals For the Dead Biographies of Some of the Authors -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Basics -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Signum Crucis---- ----Sign of the Cross---- The familiar and time honored Sign of the Cross can be traced back in one for or another to the first century. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who make the Sign of the Cross. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen --------------------- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Doxologia Minor---- ----Glory Be---- A short expression of praise to the Trinity from the very early Church. The first part appears to be from a baptismal formula and the second part was added as an anti-Arian statement. It is used extensively in the Divine Office and also many other devotions such as the Rosary. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Dominica---- ----Lord's Prayer---- The words our Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave to the apostles when they asked Him to teach them to pray. The prayer is recorded in Mt 6:9-13. The Didache (1st/2nd century catechism) commends the prayer to be recited by the faithful three times during the day, The prayer became an official part of the Mass in the latter part of the 4th century. Originally is was recited after the breaking of the bread, but Pope Gregory the Great, influenced by St. Augustine, moved it to just before the breaking of the bread where it has been ever since. The Didache's tradition of reciting the prayer thrice daily continues in the Church today with the Lord's prayer being recited at Mass and then twice more during the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds and Vespers. Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen. --------------------- Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Confiteor---- ----I Confess---- A 'Confiteor' is a penitential prayer where we acknowledge our sinfulness and seek forgiveness. As a prayer form it has been with us in one form or another from nearly the beginning of Christianity. The one below was composed in the 8th century and added to the Mass in the 11th Century. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis, fratres (et tibi pater), quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos, fratres (et te, pater), orare pro me ad Dominum, Deum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to you my brothers and sisters (and to you, father) that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen. The current post Vatican II Confiteor is a revision of the previous one. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, et vobis, fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere et omissione: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, omnes Angelos et Sanctos, et vos, fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum, Deum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Actus Fidei---- ----Act of Faith---- This is the traditional prayer to make an Act of Faith. A partial indulgence is attached to any legitimate formula of an Act of Faith. Domine Deus, firma fide credo et confiteor omnia et singula quae sancta ecclesia Catholica proponit, quia tu, Deus, ea omnia revelasti, qui es aeterna veritas et sapientia quae nec fallere nec falli potest. In hac fide vivere et mori statuo. Amen. --------------------- O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; I believe that Thy divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Actus Spei---- ----Act of Hope---- This is the traditional prayer for an Act of Hope. A partial indulgence is attached to any legitimate formula for an Act of Hope. Domine Deus, spero per gratiam tuam remissionem omnium peccatorum, et post hanc vitam aeternam felicitatem me esse consecuturum: quia tu promisisti, qui es infinite potens, fidelis, benignus, et misericors. In hac spe vivere et mori statuo. Amen. --------------------- O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Actus Caritatis---- ----Act of Love---- This is the traditional prayer for an Act of Love. A partial indulgence is attached to any legitimate form of an Act of Love. Domine Deus, amo te super omnia proximum meum propter te, quia tu es summum, infinitum, et perfectissimum bonum, omni dilectione dignum. In hac caritate vivere et mori statuo. Amen. --------------------- O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Ave Maria---- ----Hail Mary---- One of the most popular Marian prayers, the Ave Maria, or Angelic Salutation, originates from the Gospel of St. Luke. The first half of the prayer is from the Gospel and was used in the early centuries as an Offertory prayer and during the Divine Office. The second part (Holy Mary..) dates back to the Carthusian Breviary of the Middle Ages. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. --------------------- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Creeds -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Symbolum Apostolorum---- ----Apostles' Creed---- The Symbolum Apostolorum, or Apostles' Creed, can trace its ancestry to the time of the Apostles by virtue of its presence in various forms in early Church writings. Originally this Creed was a Baptismal Creed summarizing the teachings of the Apostles and was given to the Catechumens when they were baptized. Instead of the continuous prayer as we have it today, each line was rather in the form of a question to which the catechumen gave assent indicating he both understood and believed. This is similar to the renewal of the Baptismal promises that occurs in the Easter Liturgy today. Eventually this question and answer style was modified into the prayer form as we have it today. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Symbolum Apostolorum. Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad infernos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem et vitam aeternam. Amen. --------------------- I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Quicumque---- ----Athanasian Creed---- The Athanasian Creed , also know as the "Quicumque vult", was formerly recited at the office of Prime on Sundays. It is one of the four authoritative Creeds of the Catholic Church. The Anglican Church and some Protestant Churches also hold it to be authoritative. While the Creed has always been attributed to St. Athanasius (d 373 AD), it was unknown in the Eastern Churches until the 12th century and thus it is unlikely he is the author. St. Ambrose is one suggested author, but many authors have been proposed with no conclusive agreements reached. Current theory suggests it was composed in southern France in the 5th century. In 1940, the lost 'Excerpta' of St. Vincent of Lerins (flourished in 440: "quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est") was discovered, and this work contains much of the language of the Creed. Thus, either St. Vincent, or an admirer have also been suggested as author. The earliest known copy of the creed was included in a prefix to a collection of homilies by Caesarius of Arles (died 542). Quicumque vult salvus esse, ante omnia opus est, ut teneat catholicam fidem: Quam nisi quisque integram inviolatamque servaverit, absque dubio in aeternam peribit. Fides autem catholica haec est: ut unum Deum in Trinitate, et Trinitatem in unitate veneremur. Neque confundentes personas, neque substantiam seperantes. Alia est enim persona Patris alia Filii, alia Spiritus Sancti: Sed Patris, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti una est divinitas, aequalis gloria, coeterna maiestas. Qualis Pater, talis Filius, talis Spiritus Sanctus. Increatus Pater, increatus Filius, increatus Spiritus Sanctus. Immensus Pater, immensus Filius, immensus Spiritus Sanctus. Aeternus Pater, aeternus Filius, aeternus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres aeterni, sed unus aeternus. Sicut non tres increati, nec tres immensi, sed unus increatus, et unus immensus. Similiter omnipotens Pater, omnipotens Filius, omnipotens Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres omnipotentes, sed unus omnipotens. Ita Deus Pater, Deus Filius, Deus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres dii, sed unus est Deus. Ita Dominus Pater, Dominus Filius, Dominus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres Domini, sed unus est Dominus. Quia, sicut singillatim unamquamque personam Deum ac Dominum confiteri christiana veritate compelimur: ita tres Deos aut Dominos dicere catholica religione prohibemur. Pater a nullo est factus: nec creatus, nec genitus. Filius a Patre solo est: non factus, nec creatus, sed genitus. Spiritus Sanctus a Patre et Filio: non factus, nec creatus, nec genitus, sed procedens. Unus ergo Pater, non tres Patres: unus Filius, non tres Filii: unus Spiritus Sanctus, non tres Spiritus Sancti. Et in hac Trinitate nihil prius aut posterius, nihil maius aut minus: sed totae tres personae coaeternae sibi sunt et coaequales. Ita ut per omnia, sicut iam supra dictum est, et unitas in Trinitate, et Trinitas in unitate veneranda sit. Qui vult ergo salvus esse, ita de Trinitate sentiat. Sed necessarium est ad aeternam salutem, ut incarnationem quoque Domini nostri Iesu Christi fideliter credat. Est ergo fides recta ut credamus et confiteamur, quia Dominus noster Iesus Christus, Dei Filius, Deus et homo est. Deus est ex substantia Patris ante saecula genitus: et homo est ex substantia matris in saeculo natus. Perfectus Deus, perfectus homo: ex anima rationali et humana carne subsistens. Aequalis Patri secundum divinitatem: minor Patre secundum humanitatem. Qui licet Deus sit et homo, non duo tamen, sed unus est Christus. Unus autem non conversione divinitatis in carnem, sed assumptione humanitatis in Deum. Unus omnino, non confusione substantiae, sed unitate personae. Nam sicut anima rationalis et caro unus est homo: ita Deus et homo unus est Christus. Qui passus est pro salute nostra: descendit ad inferos: tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Ad cuius adventum omnes homines resurgere habent cum corporibus suis: et reddituri sunt de factis propriis rationem. Et qui bona egerunt, ibunt in vitam aeternam: qui vero mala, in ignem aeternum. Haec est fides catholica, quam nisi quisque fideliter firmiterque crediderit, salvus esse non poterit. Amen. --------------------- Whoever wishes to be saved must, above all, keep the Catholic faith. For unless a person keeps this faith whole and entire he will undoubtedly be lost forever. This is what the catholic faith teaches: we worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity. We distinguish among the persons, but we do not divide the substance. For the Father is a distinct person; the Son is a distinct person; and the Holy Spirit is a distinct person. Still the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory, and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the Holy Spirit is. The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is boundless, the Son is boundless, and the Holy Spirit is boundless. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal. Nevertheless, there are not three eternal beings, but one eternal being. Thus there are not three uncreated beings, nor three boundless beings, but one uncreated being and one boundless being. Likewise, the Father is omnipotent, the Son is omnipotent, and the Holy Spirit is omnipotent. Yet there are not three omnipotent beings, but one omnipotent being. Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. But there are not three gods, but one God. The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. There as not three lords, but one Lord. For according to Christian truth, we must profess that each of the persons individually is God; and according to Christian religion we are forbidden to say that there are three gods or lords. The Father is not made by anyone, nor created by anyone, nor generated by anyone. The Son is not made nor created, but he is generated by the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is not made nor created nor generated, but proceeds from the Father and the Son. There is, then, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, but not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. In this Trinity, there is nothing greater, nothing less than anything else. But the entire three persons are coeternal and coequal with one another. So that, as we have said, we worship complete unity in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity. This, then, is what he who wishes to be saved must believe about the Trinity. It is also necessary for eternal salvation that he believes steadfastly in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The true faith is: we believe and profess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man. As God He was begotten of the substance of the Father before time; as man He was born in time of the substance of His Mother. He is perfect God; and He is perfect man, with a rational soul and human flesh. He is equal to the Father in His divinity, but He is inferior to the Father in His humanity. Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ. And He is one, not because His divinity was changed into flesh, but because His humanity was assumed to God. He is one, not at all because of a mingling of substances, but because He is one person. As a rational soul and flesh are one man: so God and man are one Christ. He died for our salvation, descended to hell, arose from the dead on the third day. Ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, and from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. At His coming, all men are to arise with their own bodies; and they are to give an account of their lives. Those who have done good deeds will go into eternal life; those who have done evil will go into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith. Everyone must believe it, firmly and steadfastly; otherwise He cannot be saved. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Symbolum Nicaenum---- ----Nicean Creed---- The Symbolum Nicaenum, or Nicene Creed, is a fusion of the creeds drawn up at the Council of Nicea (325) and the Council of Constantinople (381). It was at these councils that the true nature of Jesus was defended against two heresies that had sprung up. The Arains denied Christ's divinity and the Monophysites denied Christ's humanity. The councils, drawing upon the traditions handed down to them from the Apostles, condemned both heresies and declared that Jesus was indeed both true God and true man. In the 11th century this creed became part of the Mass. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Symbolum Nicaenum. Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen. --------------------- I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Triune God -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Angelic Trisagion---- This hymn of devotion to the Blessed Trinity is the official prayer of the Order of the Blessed Trinity, otherwise known as the Trinitarians. This devotion has been recited by them and their affiliates for centuries in praise of the Trinity In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. V. Domine, labia mea aperies. R. Et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam. V. Deus in adiutorium meum intende. R. Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina. V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. ---The decade below is recited three times. Once for each member of the Trinity. All: Sanctus Deus, Sanctus fortis, Sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis. V. Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen. ---The following part of the decade is repeated nine times--- V. Tibi laus, Tibi gloria, Tibi gratiarum actio in saecula sempiterna, O Beata Trinitas. R. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus exercituum. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. ----End of Decade---- Antiphon Te Deum Patrem ingenitum, te Filium unigenitum, te Spiritum Sanctum Paraclitum, sanctam et individuam Trinitatem, toto corde et ore confitemur, laudamus, atque benedicimus: Tibi gloria in saecula. V. Benedicimus Patrem, et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu. R. Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula. Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui dedisti famulis tuis in confessione verae fidei, aeternae Trinitatis gloriam agnoscere, et in potentia maiestatis adorare Unitatem: quaesumus, ut eiusdem fidei firmitate, ab omnibus semper muniamur adversis. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. All: Amen. All: Libera nos, salva nos, vivifica nos, O Beata Trinitas! --------------------- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. V. Lord, open my lips. R. And my mouth shall declare Thy praise. V. O God, come to my assistance. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. ---The decade below is recited three times. Once for each member of the Trinity. All: Holy God! Holy Strong One! Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. V. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. ---The following part of the decade is repeated nine times--- V. To Thee, O Blessed Trinity, be praise, and honor, and thanksgiving, for ever and ever! R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with Thy glory. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. ----End of Decade---- Antiphon God the Father unbegotten, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, the Comforter; holy and undivided Trinity, with all our hearts we acknowledge you: Glory to Thee forever. V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son with the Holy Spirit. R. Be praised and exalted above all things forever. Let us pray, Almighty, ever-living God, who has permitted us Thy servants, in our profession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of that majesty to adore the Unity, grant, that by steadfastness in this same faith, we may be ever guarded against all adversity: through Christ our Lord. All: Amen All: Set us free, save us, vivify us, O Blessed Trinity! -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Benedicite Dominum---- ----Canticle of the Three Young Men-- -- Benedicite Dominum, or the Canticle of the Three Young Men is taken from the Old Testament book of Daniel (Dan. 3, 57-88; 56). It is used at Lauds in the Liturgy of the Hours. Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino; laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. Benedicite, caeli, Domino, benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino. Benedicite, aquae omnes, quae super caelos sunt, Domino, benedicat omnis virtutis Domino. Benedicite, sol et luna, Domino, benedicite, stellae caeli, Domino. Benedicite, omnis imber et ros, Domino, benedicite, omnes venti, Domino. Benedicite, ignis et aestus, Domino, benedicite, frigus et aestus, Domino. Benedicite, rores et pruina, Domino, benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino. Benedicite, glacies et nives, Domino, benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino. Benedicite, lux et tenebrae, Domino, benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino. Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula. Benedicite, montes et colles, Domino, benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino. Benedicite, maria et flumina, Domino, benedicite, fontes, Domino. Benedicite, cete, et omnia, quae moventur in aquis, Domino, benedicite, omnes volucres caeli, Domino. Benedicite, omnes bestiae et pecora, Domino, benedicite, filii hominum, Domino. Benedicite, Israel, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. Benedicite, sacerdotes Domini, Domino, benedicite, servi Domini, Domino. Benedicite, spiritus et animae iustorum, Domino, benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino. Benedicite, Anania, Azaria, Misael, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu; laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula. Benedictus es in firmamento caeli et laudabilis et gloriosus in saecula. Amen. --------------------- Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. Heavens, bless the Lord; angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. All you waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; let all powers bless the Lord. Sun and moon, bless the Lord; stars of heaven, bless the Lord. Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord; cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord; frost and cold, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord; nights and days, bless the Lord. Light and darkness, bless the Lord; lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. Let the earth bless the Lord; let it praise and exalt him above all forever. Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; fountains, bless the Lord. Whales and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord; all you fowls of the air, bless the Lord. All you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord; sons of men, bless the Lord. Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord. Ananias, Azaria, and Misael, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit; let us praise and exalt him above all for ever. Blessed art Thou, Lord, in the firmament of heaven; and worthy of praise, and glorious above all for ever. Amen -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Gloria---- ----Glory to God---- The Gloria is an ancient hymn from the second century praising the Trinity. It has been part of the Mass since the 5th century. Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelistis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. --------------------- Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth. Lord, God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Omnipotens sempiterne Deus---- ----Almighty and everlasting God---- This prayer was formerly recited during the Mass on Trinity Sunday Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui dedisti famulis tuis in confessione verae fidei, aeternae Trinitatis gloriam agnoscere, et in potentia maiestatis adorare Unitatem: quaesumus, ut eiusdem fidei firmitate ab omnibus semper muniamur adversis. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. --------------------- Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us Thy servants grace by the profession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and, in the power of Thy divine Majesty, to worship the Unity; we beseech Thee, that by our steadfastness in this same faith, we may evermore be defended from all adversities. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Pietate tua---- ----Of Thy Tender Mercy---- Pietate tua, quaesumus, Domine, nostrorum solve vincula peccatorum, et intercedente beata semperque Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria cum beato Ioseph ac beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo et omnibus Sanctis, nos famulos tuos et loca nostra in omni sanctitate custodi; omnes consangiunitate, affinitate ac familiaritate nobis coniunctos a vitiis purga, virtutibus illusta; pacem et salutem nobis tribue; hostes visibiles et invisibiles remove; carnalia desideria repelle: aerem salubrem indulge; amicis et inimicis nostris caritatem largire; Urbem tuam custodi; Pontificem nostrum N. conserva; omnes Praelatos, Principes cunctumque populum christianum ab omni adversitate defende. Benedictio tua sit super nos semper, et omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam concede. Amen. --------------------- Of Thy tender mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord, loose the bonds of our sins, and through the intercession of Mary, the blessed and ever-Virgin Mother of God, together with that of Saint Joseph and Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all Thy Saints, keep us Thy servants and our dwelling places in all holiness; cleanse from sin and endue with virtue all those who are joined to us by kindred, affinity and friendship; grant unto us peace and safety; remove far from us our enemies, both visible and invisible; repress all our carnal desires; grant us wholesome air; bestow Thy charity upon our friends and enemies; guard Thy city; preserve our Pontiff N.; defend all prelates and princes and Thine entire Christian people from every adversity. Let Thy blessing be evermore upon us, and do Thou grant unto all the faithful departed rest everlasting. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Sanctus---- The Sanctus has been a part of the Mass from the first century AD and its Jewish roots go back even farther. The first part of the chant is based upon Isaiah 6:3 and Daniel 7:10. The second part is based on Mt 21:9. The chant unites our voices with those of the saints and angels in heaven into one song of praise of God. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis. --------------------- Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Te Deum---- Te Deum, also sometimes called the Abrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of Matins on Sunday outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year. Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur. Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur. Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi caeli et universae Potestates; Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae. Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus, Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus, Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus. Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia, Patrem immensae maiestatis: Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium; Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum. Tu Rex gloriae, Christe. Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius. Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum. Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum. Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris. Iudex crederis esse venturus. Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari. V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae. R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum. V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te. R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi. V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire. R. Miserere nostri, Domine: miserere nostri. V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te. R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum. --------------------- O God, we praise Thee, and acknowledge Thee to be the supreme Lord. Everlasting Father, all the earth worships Thee. All the Angels, the heavens and all angelic powers, All the Cherubim and Seraphim, continuously cry to Thee: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory. The glorious choir of the Apostles, The wonderful company of Prophets, The white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee. Holy Church throughout the world acknowledges Thee: The Father of infinite Majesty; Thy adorable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. O Christ, Thou art the King of glory! Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When Thou tookest it upon Thyself to deliver man, Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's womb. Having overcome the sting of death, Thou opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sitest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou willst come to be our Judge. We, therefore, beg Thee to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. Let them be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory. V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance! R. Govern them, and raise them up forever. V. Every day we thank Thee. R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yes forever and ever. V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day. R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee. R. O Lord, in Thee I have put my trust; let me never be put to shame. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- God the Father -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Conversi ad Dominum Deum---- ----Let us Turn Towards the Lord God---- Written by St. Augustine(354-430) to conclude several of his sermons. This one is found in his Sermo CLXXXIII. Conversi ad Dominum Deum Patrem omnipotentem, puro corde ei, quantum potest parvitas nostra, maximas atque veras gratias agamus: precantes toto animo singularem mansuetudinem eius, ut preces nostras in beneplacito suo exaudire dignetur; inimicum quoque a nostris actibus et cogitationibus sua virtute expellat, nobis multiplicet fidem, mentem gubernet, spirituales cogitationes concedat, et ad beatitudinem suam perducat per Iesum Christum Filium eius. Amen. --------------------- Let us turn towards the Lord God and Father Almighty, and with a pure heart let us give Him sincere thanks as well as our littleness will allow: Let us with our whole hearts beseech His extraordinary clemency, that He may vouchsafe to hear our prayers according to His good pleasure. May He by His power drive our enemies far from us, lest we fall under the sway of the evil one in act or thought. May He increase our faith, rule our mind, give us spiritual thoughts, and at last lead us to His blessedness, through Jesus Christ His Son. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Deus, qui fidei sacramenta---- ----O God, Who in the Glorious Transfiguration-- -- This prayer comes from the Mass for the Feast of the Transfiguration, Aug. 6. This particular version of it is taken from the '62 Missal. Deus, qui fidei sacramenta, in Unigeniti tui gloriosa Transfiguratione, patrum testimonio roborasti, et adoptionem filiorum perfectam, voce delapsa in nube lucida, mirabiliter praesignasti; concede propitius, ut ipsius Regis gloriae nos coheredes efficias et eisudem gloriae tribuas esse consortes. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thine only- begotten Son didst confirm the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers, and in wondrous wise didst foretoken the perfect adoption of sons by the voice descending from the shinning cloud; mercifully grant unto us to be made co-heirs with the very King of glory and bestow upon us a partaking of His glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens---- ----O Holy Lord, Father Almighty---- A prayer by St. Bonaventure (1218-1274) who was the greatest exponent of Mystical Theology in the Middle Ages. Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus, propter tuam largitatem, et Filii tui, qui pro me sustinuit passionem et mortem, et Matris eius excellentissimam sanctitatem, atque omnium Sanctorum merita, concede mihi peccatori, et omni tuo beneficio indigno, ut te solum diligam, tuum amorem semper sitiam, beneficium passionis continuo in corde habeam, meam miseriam recognoscam, et ab omnibus conculari et contemni cupiam; nihil me contristet nisi culpa. Amen. --------------------- O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for the sake of Thy bounty and that of Thy Son, who for me endured suffering and death; for the sake of the most excellent holiness of His Mother and the merits of all the Saints, grant unto me a sinner, unworthy of all Thy blessings, that I may love Thee only, may ever thirst for Thy love, may have continually in my heart the benefits of Thy passion, may acknowledge my own wretchedness and may desire to be trampled upon and be despised by all men; let nothing grieve me save guilt. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Omnium Domine---- ----O Lord of All---- By St. Gregory Nazianzen (329-389), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. This prayer is taken from the readings at Matins for Friday of the 31st week of ordinary time. O omnium Domine et effector ac praecipue huius figmenti! O Deus tuorum hominum et Pater ac gubernator! O vitae et mortis arbiter! O nostrarum animarum custos et benefactor! O qui omnia facis, et tempestive, atque, ut ipse pro sapientiae tuae et administrationis altitudine nosti, artifice Verbo transmutas, nunc quidem Caesarium, discessus nostri primitias, quaeso, suscipe. Nos vero quoque opportuno tempore suscipe, tamdiu in carne vitam nostram moderatus, quamdiu conducibile fuerit; et quidem suscipe ob metum tuum paratos et non turbatos, neque in extremo die terga vertentes atque invito animo, quemadmodum solent qui mundo et carni addicti sunt, hinc abstractos et avulsos, sed prompte at alacriter ad beatam illam et longaevam vitam proficiscentes, quae est in Christo Iesu Domino nostro, cui gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O Lord and Creator of all, and especially of this creature! O God and Father and Ruler of Thy people! O Arbiter of life and death! O Guardian and Benefactor of our souls! O Thou who makest all, and in due season transformest all by the power of Thy Word according to Thy wisdom and deep designs, receive now, I beg thee, those who have gone before us. Receive us too at the opportune time, until Thou hast restrained us in our fleshly life for as long as it will have been to our advantage. Indeed receive us prepared by fear of Thee and not troubled, nor turning back on that day of death, nor unwilling like those who are accustomed to the world and addicted to the flesh. Instead, may we set out eagerly for that everlasting and blessed life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Sancti Clementis I---- ----Prayer of St. Clement I---- This prayer is found in the writings of Pope St. Clement I (c 38 - c 101) in his letter to the Corinthians. It appears in Matins for Monday of the first week in ordinary time. Ut speremus in nomine tuo, principio omnis creaturae, ut oculis cordis nostri apertis cognoscamus te solum, altissimum in altissimis, sanctus in sanctis quiescentem; qui humilias arrogantiam superborum, solvis cogitationes gentium, humiles elevas et excelsos humilias, divites facis et pauperes, occidis et salvas et vivificas, solus benefactor spiritum et Deus omnis carnis; qui intueris in abyssos, inspector operum hominum, periclitantium, adiutor, desperantium salvator, omnis spiritus creator et episcopus; qui gentes in terra multiplicas et ex omnibus eligis eos, qui te diligunt per Iesum Christum Filium tuum dilectum, per quem nos erudivisti, sanctificasti, honorasti. Rogamus te, Domine, ut sis adiutor et auxiliator noster. Eos nostrum, qui in tribulatione sunt, libera, humilium miserere, lapsos eleva, inopibus occurre, infirmos sana, errantes populi tui converte; nutri esurientes, solve captivos nostros, erige imbecilles, consolare pusillanimes; cognoscunto te omnes gentes, quod tu es Deus solus et Iesus Christus puer tuus ac nos populus tuus et oves pascuae tuae. Tu enim perennem mundi constitutionem per effectus manifestasti; tu, Domine, orbem terrae fundasti, fidelis in omnibus generationibus, iustus in iudiciis, admirabilis in fortitudine et magnificentia, sapiens in condendo et prudens in creatis stabiliendis, bonus in iis, quae videntur, et fidelis in eos, qui in te confidunt, benignus et misericors; dimitte nobis iniquitates et iniustitias et peccata et delicta nostra. Ne imputes omne peccatum servorum tuorum et servarum, sed purifica nos in veritate tua et dirige gressus nostros, ut in pietate et iustitia et simplicitate cordis ambulemus et agamus quae bona et beneplacita sunt coram te ac coram principibus nostris. Immo, Domine, ostende faciem tuam super nos, ut bonis fruamur in pace, ut tegamur manu tua potenti et ab omni peccato liberemur bracchio tuo excelso, ac libera nos ab iis, qui nos oderunt iniuste. Da concordiam ac pacem et nobis et omnibus habitantibus terram, sicut dedisti patribus nostris, pie te invocantibus in fide et veritate. Qui solus haec et plura bona nobiscum agere potes, tibi confitemur per pontficem ac patronum animarum nostrarum Iesum Christum, per quem tibi gloria et maiestas et nunc et in generationem generationum et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Give us the grace, Lord, to hope in Thy Name, to which all creatures owe their being. Open the eyes of our hearts to know Thee alone, the Most High in the highest heavens, whose dwelling is in the holy of holies. Thou abasest the arrogance of the proud, frustrate the designs of the godless, humble the lofty and exalt the lowly, makest wealthy and poor, Thou slayest, Thou savest and Thou bringest to life. Alone the Benefactor of spirits and God of all flesh, Thy gaze penetrates the depths, Thou observest the doings of men. Helper of those in peril, Savior of those in despair, Creator of all that draws breath, Thou causest the peoples on the earth to multiply, and from them all choose those who love Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son. Through Him Thou hast instructed us, sanctified us, honored us. We ask Thee, O Lord, Lord, to be our supporter and our helper. To those of us who are afflicted, free us, pity the lowly, raise the fallen, show thyself to the needy, heal the sick, convert Thy wayward people, feed the hungry, deliver our captives, support the weak, encourage the fainthearted. Let all nations know that Thou alone art God and Jesus Christ is Thy Son, and we are Thy people, the sheep of Thy flock. Truly Thou hast established the world and revealed Thy decrees. Thou art faithful through all generations, just in judgment, admirable in strength and majesty, wise in building, prudent in establishment, goodness in everything seen, faithful to those who put their trust in Thee, and kind and merciful. Dismiss from us our iniquities, our injustices, our sins and our failings. Do not hold the sins of Thy servants against them, but purify us by Thy truth, and direct our steps that in holiness and justice and simplicity of heart we may walk and so do what is good and pleasing in Thy sight and in the sight of our leaders. O Lord, let the light of your face shine upon us, so that we may enjoy Thy blessings in peace, protected by Thy strong hand, and freed from all sin by Thy outstretched arm; and deliver us from those who hate us unjustly. Grant peace and concord to us and to all mankind, even as Thou gavest it to our forefathers when they devoutly called upon Thee in faith and in truth. Thou alone art able to bestow these and even greater benefits upon us. We praise Thee through our high priest and the patron of our souls, Jesus Christ. Through Him be glory and majesty to Thee now and throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Perenne Lumen in Templo Aeterni---- ----Perpetual Light in the Eternal Temple---- Written by St. Columban(c543-615), abbot. This prayer is found in his Instructio De Computctione, 12, 2-3 which is the reading for Matins for Tuesday, 28th week of Ordinary time. Domine, da mihi, rogo te, in nomine Iesu Christi Fili tui, Dei mei, illam quae nescit cadere caritatem, ut mea lucerna accendi sciat, exstingui nesciat; mihi ardeat, aliis luceat. Tu, Christe, lucernas nostras accendere digneris, dulcissime nobis salvator noster, quo perpetuae luceant in templo tuo, ac perenne lumen a te perenni lumine accipiant, ut tenebrae nostrae illuminentur, mundi autem tenebrae a nobis fugentur. Sic lumen tuum meae largiaris, rogo, Iesu mi, lucernae, ut illius luce illa sancta sanctorum mihi appareant, quae te aeternum Pontificem aeternorum in antibus magni illius tui templi illic intrantem habeant, quo te iugitur tantummodo videam, aspiciam, desiderem; tantum te amans conspiciam ac coram te mea semper lucerna luceat, ardeat. Tuum sit, quaeso, te nobis pulsantibus monstrare, amantissime Salvator, ut te intelligentes, tantum te amemus, te solum amemus, te somum desideremus, te solum meditemur die ac nocte, semper te cogitemus; et in tantum nobis tuum inspirare digneris amorem, quantum te amari Deum decet ac diligi; ut omnia interiora nostra tua occupet dilectio, totosque nos tuus possideat amor, totos nostros sensus tua impleat caritas, ut praeter te aliud amare nesciamus, qui sempiternus es; quo tanta caritas aquis multis huius aeris et huius terrae et huius maris exstingui in nobis nequeat iuxta illud; Et aquae multae non potuerunt extinguere caritatem. Quod in nobis quoque compleri vel ex parte posit, te donante Domino nostro Iesu Christo, cui gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and my God, I ask Thee to give me the love that never fails so that my lantern may always be lighted, never failing, burning within me within me and giving light to others. Thou, O Christ, our sweetest Savior, deign to light our lamps so that they may burn forever in Thy temple, may they receive eternal light from Thee, the Eternal Light, and by it may our darkness be illuminated and the darkness of the world dispelled from us. O my Jesus, I beg Thee to give Thy light to my lantern, so that I may see by its light the Holy of Holies, which has Thee, the eternal High Priest, entering among the great columns of Thy temple. May I see Thee only , look upon Thee, desire Thee; may I gaze lovingly upon Thee alone and before Thee may my lamp always shine, always burn. O Most Loving Savior, I beseech Thee, be pleased to show Thyself to us who knock, that in knowing Thee we may love Thee only, that we may love Thee alone, that we may desire Thee alone, that we may meditate day and night on Thee alone, and that we may always contemplate Thee alone. Deign to inspire in us as much of Thy love as is fitting to be received by Thee as God, so that our whole being may be occupied by Thy love, so that Thy love may posses us completely, so that it may fill our senses, and so that we may not know any other love but for Thee, Who art eternal. May so great a love in us be unable to be extinguished by the many waters of this earth, sea, and sky. Many waters have not been able to extinguish love. May this too be fulfilled in us or at least in part, by Thy gift, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- God the Son -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Adoramus te---- ----We Adore Thee---- Shortly before his death in October of 1226, St. Francis wrote his Testament which contained his last thoughts concerning the order he founded. In it he urged his followers to remain faithful to the rules of the order. The prayer below is taken from this work and was inspired by the Liturgy of Holy Thursday. St. Gregory the Great recommended it to be recited in his Liber Responsalis (PL 78, 805) as did the monk Arnulphe in Documenta Vitae Religiosae (PL 184, 1177). Adoramus te, sanctissime Domine Iesu Christe, hic et ad omnes Ecclesias tuas, quae sunt in toto mundo, et benedicimus tibi; quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemisti mundum. Amen. --------------------- We adore Thee, most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Thy churches that are in the whole world, and we bless Thee; because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the World. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Domine Iesu---- ----Lord, Jesus---- Domine Iesu, per vagitus Tui in praesepio pro me nascentis, per lacrimas Tui in cruce pro me morientis, per amorem Tui in tabernaculo pro me viventis, miserere mei et salva me. --------------------- Lord Jesus, Through Thine infant cries when Thou wast born for me in the manger, Through Thy tears when Thou didst die for me on the Cross, Through Thy love as Thou livest for me in the tabernacle, Have mercy on me and save me. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Domine Iesu, noverim me---- ----Lord Jesus, Let me Know Myself---- Written by St. Augustine (354-430). Domine Iesu, noverim me, noverim te, Nec aliquid cupiam nisi te. Oderim me et amem te. Omnia agam propter te. Humilem me, exaltem te. Nihil cogitem nisi te. Mortificem me et vivam in te. Quaecumque eveniant accipiam a te. Persequar me, sequar te, Semerque optem sequi te. Fugiam me, confugiam ad te, Ut merear defendi a te. Timeam mihi, timeam te, Et sim inter electos a te. Diffidam mihi, fidam in te. Obedire velim propter te. Ad nihil afficiar nisi ad te, Et pauper sim propter te. Aspice me, ut diligam te. Voca me, ut videam te, Et in aeternum fruar te. Amen. --------------------- Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know Thee, And desire nothing save only Thee. Let me hate myself and love Thee. Let me do everything for the sake of Thee. Let me humble myself and exalt Thee. Let me think nothing except Thee. Let me die to myself and live in Thee. Let me accept whatever happens as from Thee. Let me banish self and follow Thee, And ever desire to follow Thee. Let me fly from myself and take refuge in Thee, That I may deserve to be defended by Thee. Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee, And let me be among those who are chosen by Thee. Let me distrust myself and put my trust in Thee. Let me be willing to obey for the sake of Thee. Let me cling to nothing save only to Thee, And let me be poor because of Thee. Look upon me, that I may love Thee. Call me that I may see Thee, And for ever enjoy Thee. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Iesu, Dulcis Memoria---- ----Jesus, Sweet Memory---- Iesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 11th century poem attributed to St. Bernard (1090-1153). At one time, parts of it were used in the Liturgy on the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus in the Divine Office. The complete poem is 168 lines long. The following is a shorter version; Iesu, dulcis memoria, Dans vers cordis gaudia, Sed super mel et omnia, Eius dulcis praesentia. Nil cantur suavius, Nil auditur iucundius, Nil cogitatur dulcius, Quam Iesus Dei Filius. Iesu, spes poenitentibus, Quam pius es petentibus! Quam bonus te quaerentibus! Sed quid invenientibus? Nec lingua valet dicere, Nec littera exprimere: Expertus potest credere, Quid sit Iesum diligere. Sis, Iesu, nostrum gaudium, Qui es futurus praemium: Sit nostra in te gloria, Per cuncta semper saecula. Amen. --------------------- O sweet memory of Jesus, Giving real joys of the heart, But above honey and all things Is His sweet presence. Nothing sweeter is sung, Nothing more pleasant is heard, Nothing lovelier is thought, Than Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus, hope of penitents, How kind You are to seekers! How good to those asking for You! What, then, to those who find? Neither tongue is able to say, Nor letters to express: He who has experienced can believe What it is to love Jesus. May You, Jesus, be our joy, Who is to be our reward: May our glory be in You For all the ages always. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor---- ----Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer---- This Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ carries a partial indulgence. If it is recited publicly on the feast of Christ the King a plenary indulgence is granted. Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor humani generis, respice nos ad conspectum tuum humillime provolutos. Tui sumus, tui esse volumus; quo autem tibi coniuncti firmius esse possimus, en hodie sacratissimo Cordi tuo se quisque nostrum sponte dedicat. Te quidem multi novere nunquam; te, spretis mandatis tuis, multi repudiarunt. Miserere utrorumque, benignissime Iesu, atque ad sanctum Cor tuum rape universos. Rex esto, Domine, nec fidelium tantum qui nullo tempore discessere a te, sed etiam prodigorum filiorum qui te reliquerunt; fac hos, ut domum paternam cito repetant, ne miseria et fame pereant. Rex esto eorum, quos aut opinionum error deceptos habet, aut discordia separatos, eosque ad portum veritatis atque ad unitatem fidei revoca, ut brevi fiat unum ovile et unus pastor. Largire, Domine, Ecclesiae tuae securam cum incolumitate libertatem; largire cunctis gentibus tranquillitatem ordinis; perfice, ut ab utroque terrae vertice una resonet vox: Sit laus divino Cordi, per quod nobis parta salus: ipsi gloria et honor in saecula! Amen. --------------------- Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thee. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many, too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquillity of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor for ever! Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Iesu Infans Dulcissime---- ----Jesu, Sweetest Child---- A prayer to the infant Jesus that mediates upon the mysteries of His infancy. V. Deus in adiutorium meum intende. R. Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina. V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, R. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Pater noster... I. Iesu Infans dulcissime, e sinu Patris propter nostram salutem descendens, de Spiritu Sancto conceptus, Virginis uterum non horrens, et Verbum caro factum, formam servi accipiens, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... II. Iesu Infans dulcissime, per Virginem Matrem tuam visitans Elisabeth, Ioannem Baptistam Praecursorem tuum Spiritu Sancto replens, et adhuc in utero matris suae sanctificans, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... III. Iesu Infans dulcissime, novem mensibus in utero clausus, summis votis a Maria Virgine et a sancto Ioseph expectatus, et a Deo Patri pro salute mundi oblatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... IV. Iesu Infans dulcissime, in Bethlehem ex Virginie Maria natus, pannis involutus, in praesepio reclinatus, ab Angelis annuntiatus et pastoribus visitatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virigine Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen. V. Christe prope est nobis R. Venite, adoremus. Pater noster...... V. Iesu, Infans dulcissime, in Circumcisione post dies octo vulneratus, glorioso Iesu nomine vocatus, et in nomine simul et sanguine Salvatoris officio praesignatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... VI. Iesu Infans dulcissime, stella duce tribus Magis demostratus, in sinu Matris adoratus, et mysticis muneribus, auro, thure, et myrrha donatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... VII. Iesu Infans dulcissime, in templo a Matre Virigine praesentatus, inter brachia a Simeone amplexatus, et ab Anna prophetissa Israel revelatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... VIII. Iesu Infans dulcissime, ab iniquo Herode ad mortem quaesitus, a sancto Ioseph in Aegyptum cum Matre deportatus, a crudeli caede sublatus, et praeconiis Martyrum Innocentium glorificatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virigine Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen. V. Christe prope est nobis R. Venite, adoremus. Pater noster...... IX. Iesu Infans dulcissime, in Aegyptum cum Maria sanctissima et Patriarcha sancto Ioseph usque ad obitum Herodis commoratus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... X. Iesu Infans dulcissime, ex Aegypto cum Parentibus in terram Israel reversus, multo labores in itinere perpessus, et in civitate Nazareth ingressus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... XI. Iesu Infans duclcissime, in sancta Nazarena domo, subditus Parentibus, sanctissime commoratus, paupertate et laboribus faticatus, in sapientiae, aetatis et gratiae profectu confortatus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... XII. Iesu Infans dulcissime, in Ierusalem doudennis ductus, a Parentibus cum dolore quaesitus, et post triduum cum gaudio inter Doctores inventus, miserere nostri. R. Miserere nostri, Iesu Infans, miserere nostri. Ave Maria... Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virigine Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen. Die Nativitatis Domini et per Octavam: V. Verbum caro factum est, alleluia. R. Et habitavit in nobis, alleluia. In Epiphania Domini et per Octavam V. Christus manifestavit se nobis, alleluia. R. Venite, adoremus, alleluia. Per annum; V. Verbum caro factum est. R. Et habitavit in nobis. Oremus: Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, Domine caeli et terrae, qui te revelas parvulis; concede, quaesumus, ut nos sacrosancta Filii tui Infantis Iesu mysteria digno honore recolentes, dignaque imitatione sectantes, ad regnum caelorum promissum parvulis pervenire valeamus. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- V. O God, come unto my assistance! R. O Lord, make haste to help me! V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Our Father..... I. Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst come down from the bosom of the Father for our salvation, who wast conceived by the Holy Spirit, who didst not abhor the Virgin's womb, and who, being the Word made flesh, didst take upon Thee the form of a servant, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... II. Jesu, sweetest Child, who by means of Thy Virgin Mother didst visit Saint Elizabeth, who didst fill Thy forerunner, John the Baptist, with Thy Holy Spirit and didst sanctify him in his mother's womb, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... III. Jesu, sweetest Child, who, enclosed for nine months in Thy Mother's womb, wast looked for with eager expectation by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, and wast offered by God the Father for the salvation of the world, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... IV. Jesu, sweetest Child, born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lain in a manger, announced by Angles and visited by shepherds, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To the Father and to Paraclete. Amen. V. Christ is near to us. R. Come let us adore Him. Our Father..... V. Jesu, sweetest Child, wounded after eight days in Thy circumcision, called by the glorious Name of Jesus, and at once by Thy Name and by Thy Blood foreshown as the Savior of the world, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... VI. Jesu, sweetest Child, manifested by the leading of a star to the Three Wise Men, worshipped in the arms of Thy Mother, presented with the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... VII. Jesu, sweetest Child, presented in the temple by Thy Virgin Mother, taken up in Simeon's arms, and revealed to Israel by Anna, a prophetess, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... VIII. Jesu, sweetest Child, sought by wicked Herod to be slain, carried with Thy Mother into Egypt by Saint Joseph, rescued from the cruel slaughter, and glorified by the praises of the martyred Innocents, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To the Father and to Paraclete. Amen. V. Christ is near to us. R. O Come let us worship. Our Father..... IX. Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst dwell in Egypt with most Holy Mary and the Patriarch, Saint Joseph until the death of Herod, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... X. Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst return from Egypt to the land of Israel with Thy parents, suffering many hardships in the way, and didst enter into the city of Nazareth, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... XI. Jesu, sweetest Child, who didst dwell most holily in the holy house at Nazareth, in subjection to Thy parents, wearied by poverty and toil, didst increase in wisdom, age, and grace, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... XII. Jesu, sweetest Child, brought to Jerusalem at twelve years of age, sought by Thy parents sorrowing and found with joy after three days in the midst of the Doctors, have mercy on us. R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us. Hail Mary... All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To the Father and to Paraclete. Amen. For Christmas and its Octave: V. The Word was made flesh, alleluia R. And dwelt among us, alleluia. For Epiphany and its Octave: V. Christ hath manifested Himself to us, alleluia. R. O come let us worship, alleluia. Throughout the year: V. The Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth, who dost reveal Thyself to little ones; grant we beseech Thee, that we, venerating with due honor the sacred mysteries of Thy Son, the Child Jesus, and copying them with due imitation, may be enabled to enter the kingdom of heaven which Thou hast promised to little children. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Victimae Paschali---- Victimae Paschali is the Sequence for Easter Sunday. It is usually attributed to Wipo of Burgundy (1039), chaplain of the German Emperor Conrad II in the 11th century. It has also been attributed to Notker Balbulus (10th century) and Adam of St. Victor (13th century). Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani. Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavet peccatores. Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando: Dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus. Dic nobis Maria, Quid vidisti in via? Sepulcrum Christi viventis, Et gloriam vidi resurgentis: Angelicos testes, Sudarium et vestes. Surrexit Christus spes mea: Praecedet suos in Galilaeam. Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: Tu nobis, victor Rex miserere. Amen. Alleluia. --------------------- Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise. The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Fathers reconciled. Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign. Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way. The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose! The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting. Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee. That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know. Victorious King, Thy mercy show! Amen. Alleluia. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Cross -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Deus, qui pro nobis---- ----O God, Who for Our Sake---- Deus, qui pro nobis Filium tuum Crucis patibulum subire voluisti, ut inimici a nobis expelleres potestatem: concede nobis famulis tuis; ut resurrectionis gratiam consequamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- O God, who for our sake didst will Thy Son to undergo the torments of the Cross, that Thou mightest drive far from us the power of the enemy; grant unto us Thy servants that we may attain to the grace of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Crux Fidelis---- ----Faithful Cross---- Attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (Honorius Clementianus) (530 - 609), Bishop of Poitiers, whose Latin poems and hymns combine the elements of classical and medieval composition. Crux fidelis, inter omnes Arbor una nobilis; Nulla silva talem profert, Fronde, flore germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavos, Dulce pondus sustinet. Amen. --------------------- Faithful Cross, O tree all beauteous, Tree all peerless and divine: Not a grove on earth can show us Such a leaf and flower as thine. Sweet the nails and sweet the wood, Laden with so sweet a load. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Pange Lingua---- ----Sing, my Tongue---- There are two Pange Linguas in use, one by St. Thomas Aquinas and then this one, by Venantius Fortunatus which extols the triumph of the Cross. It is used on Good Friday during the Adoration of the Cross and in the Liturgy of the Hours on feasts of the Cross. Pange, lingua, gloriosi Proelium certaminis, Et super crucis trophaeo Dic triumphum nobilem, Qualiter redemptor orbis Immolatus vicerit. De parentis protoplasti Fraude factor condolens, Quando pomi noxalis Morte morsu corruit, Ipse lignum tunc notavit, Damna ligni ut solveret. Hoc opus nostrae salutis Ordo depoposcerat, Multiformis proditoris Arte ut artem falleret, Et medelam ferret inde, Hostis unde laeserat. Quando venit ergo sacri Plenitudo temporis, Missus est ab arce Patris Natus, orbis, Conditor, Atque ventre virginali Carne factus prodiit. Vagit infans inter arcta Conditus praesepia: Membra pannis involuta Virgo Mater alligat: Et manus pedesque et crura Stricta cingit fascia. Lustra sex qui iam peracta Tempus implens corporis, Se volente, natus ad hoc, Passioni deditus, Agnus in crucis levatur Immolandus stipite. En acetum, fel, arundo, Sputa, clavi, lancea: Mite corpus perforatur, Sanguis, unda profluit Terra, pontus, astra, mundus, Quo lavantur flumine! Flecte ramos, arbor alta, Tensa laxa viscera, Et rigor lentescat ille, Quem dedit nativitas, Ut superni membra regis Miti tendas stipite. Sola digna tu fuisti Ferre saeculi pretium, Atque portum praeparare Nauta mundo naufrago, Quem sacer cruor perunxit, Fusus Agni corpore. Aequa Patri Filioque, Inclito Paraclito, Sempiterna sit beatae Trinitati gloria, Cuius alma nos redemit Atque servat gratia. Amen. --------------------- Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory; tell His triumph far and wide; Tell aloud the famous story of His body crucified; How upon the cross a victim, vanquishing in death, He died. Eating of the tree forbidden, man had sunk in Satan's snare, When our pitying Creator did this second tree prepare; Destined, many ages later, that first evil to repair. Such the order God appointed when for sin He would atone; To the serpent thus opposing schemes yet deeper than his own; Thence the remedy procuring, when fatal the wound had come. So when now at length the fullness of the sacred time drew nigh, Then the Son, the world's Creator, left his Father's throne on high; >From a virgin's womb appearing, clothed in our mortality. All within a lowly manger, lo, a tender babe He lies! See his gentle Virgin Mother lull to sleep his infant cries! While the limbs of God incarnate round with swathing bands she ties. Thus did Christ to perfect manhood in our mortal flesh attain: Then of His free choice He goeth to a death of bitter pain; And as a lamb, upon the altar of the cross, for us is slain. Lo, with gall His thirst He quenches! See the thorns upon His brow! Nails His tender flesh are rending! See His side is opened now! Whence, to cleanse the whole creation, streams of blood and water flow. Lofty tree, bend down thy branches, to embrace thy sacred load; Oh, relax the native tension of that all too rigid wood; Gently, gently bear the members of thy dying King and God. Tree, which solely wast found worthy the world's Victim to sustain. Harbor from the raging tempest! Ark, that saved the world again! Tree, with sacred blood anointed of the Lamb for sinners slain. Blessing, honor, everlasting, to the immortal Deity; To the Father, Son, and Spirit, equal praises ever be; Glory through the earth and heaven to Trinity in Unity. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Vexilla Regis---- ----Royal Banners---- Vexilla Regis was written by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609) and is a hymn about the triumph of Christ's suffering. It is sung at Vespers (Evening Prayer) from Passion Sunday to Holy Thursday and on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. It was also formerly sung on Good Friday when the Blessed Sacrament was taken from the repository to the altar. Vexilla Regis prodeunt; Fulget Crucis mysterium, Qua vita mortem pertulit, Et morte vitam protulit. Quae vulnerata lanceae Mucrone diro criminum Ut nos lavaret sordibus, Manavit unda et sanguine. Impleta sunt quae concinit David fideli carmine, Dicendo nationibus: Regnavit a ligno Deus. Arbor decora et fulgida, Ornata Regis purpura, Electa digno stipite Tam sancta membra tangere. Beata, cuius brachiis Pretium pependit saeculi: Statera facta corporis, Tulitque praedam tartari. O Crux ave, spes unica, Gentis redemptae gloria* Piis adauge gratiam, Reisque dele crimina. Te, fons salutis Trinitas, Collaudet omnis spiritus: Quibus Crucis victoriam Largiris, adde praemium. Amen. Tempore Passionis: Hoc Passionis tempore! Tempore Paschali: Paschale quae fers gaudium! In festo Exaltationis Sanctae Crucis: In hac triumphi gloria. --------------------- The royal banners forward go; The Cross shines forth in mystic glow, Where Life for sinners death endured, And Life by death for us procured. Where deep for us the spear was dyed, Life's torrent rushing from His side, To wash us in that precious flood Where mingled, Water flowed, and Blood. Fulfilled is all that David told In true prophetic song of old; "Amid the nations, God," said he, "Has reigned and triumphed from the Tree." O Tree of beauty! Tree of light! O Tree with royal purple dight! Elect on whose triumphal breast Those holy Limbs should find their sest. On whose dear arms, so widely flung, The weight of this world's ransom hung: The price of humankind to pay And spoil the spoiler of his prey. O Cross, our one reliance, hail, Thou glory of the saved*, avail To give fresh merit to the Saint, And pardon to the penitent. To You, Eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be done; Whom by the Cross You do restore, Preserve and govern evermore. Amen. Passiontide: This holy Passiontide Paschal Season: Thou joy of Eastertide Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: On this triumphant day. (Tr. J. M. Neale) -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Sacred Heart -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Deus, qui nobis, in Corde Filii tui---- ----O God, in the Heart of Thy Son---- This is the opening prayer for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Deus, qui nobis, in Corde Filii tui, nostris vulnerato peccatis, infinitos dilectionis thesauros misericorditer largiri dignaris; concede, quaesumus, ut illi devotum pietatis nostrae praestantes obsequium, dignae quoque satisfactionis exhibeamus officium. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. ------------------------ O God, Thou mercifully deignst to bestow on us in the Heart of Thy Son, wounded by our sins, an infinite treasure of love; grant, we beseech Thee, that rendering It the devout homage of our affection, we may also make a worthy reparation for our sins. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Cor, arca legem continens---- ----O Heart, Thou Ark Where Lies the Law---- This hymn is used at Matins on the feast of the Sacred Heart. Cor, arca legem continens Non servitutis veteris, Sed gratiae, sed veniae, Sed et misericordiae. Cor, sanctuarium novi Intemeratum foederis, Templum vetusto sanctius, Velumque scisso utilius. Te vulneratum caritas Ictu patenti voluit, Amoris invisibilis Ut veneremur vulnera. Hoc sub amoris symbolo Passus cruenta et mystica, Utrumque sacrificium Christus sacerdos obtulit. Quis non amantem redamet? Quis non redemptus diligat, Et Corde in isto seligat Aeterna tabernacula? Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui Corde fundis gratiam Cum Patre et almo Spiritu In sempiterna saecula. Amen. ------------------------ O Heart!, thou where lies the law, Not of servitude of old, But that from which we pardon draw, And grace and mercies manifold. Heart, the pure and stainless shrine Where that new covenant has lain: Temple than Salem's more divine; Veil, better than its veil in twain. With such a wound as must appear Love willed that Thou shouldst wounded be, That we might all the wounds revere, Which love doth bear invisibly. 'Neath this, love's symbol, suffering twice, Things mystical and bloody both Christ, as a priest, in sacrifice To Heaven uplifted, nothing loth. Who would not love for love repay? What man, redeemed, could love refuse To this Heart, or herein, for aye, His tabernacle fail to choose? Jesu, to Thee be glory given, Who from Thy Heart dost grace outpour; To Father and to Paraclete Be endless praise for evermore. Amen. (tr. J. Fitzpatrick) -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Auctor beate saeculi---- ----Jesu, Creator of the World---- This hymn is used at Vespers on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Auctor beate saeculi, Christe Redemptor omnium, Lumen Patris de lumine, Deusque verus de Deo. Amor coegit te tuus Mortale corpus sumere, Ut, novus Adam, redderes, Quod vetus ille abstulerat. Ille amor almus artifex Terrae marisque et siderum, Errata patrum miserans Et nostra rumpens vincula. Non Corde discedat tuo Vis illa amoris inclyti: Hoc fonte gentes hauriant Remissionis gratiam. Ad hoc acerbam lanceam Passumque ad hoc est vulnera, Ut nos lavaret sordibus, Unda fluente et sanguine. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui Corde fundis gratiam Cum Patre et almo Spiritu In sempiterna saecula. Amen. ------------------------ Jesu! Creator of the world, Of all mankind Redeemer blest, True God of God, in Whom we see Thy Father's image clear expressed! Thee, Savior, love alone constrained To make our mortal flesh Thine own, And as a second Adam, come For the first Adam to atone. That selfsame love which made the sky, Which made the sea and the stars, and earth, Took pity on our misery, And broke the bondage of our birth. O Jesus! in Thy Heart divine May that same love for ever glow! Forever mercy to mankind >From that exhausted fountain flow! For this the Sacred Heart was pierced, And both with blood and water ran- To cleanse us from the stains of guilt, And be the hope and strength of man. Jesu, to Thee be glory given, Who from Thy Heart dost grace outpour, To Father and to Paraclete Be endless praise for evermore. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Litania Cordis Sanctae Iesu---- ----Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus---- In 1899 Pope Leo XIII approved this Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for public use. This litany is actually a synthesis of several other litanies dating back to the 17th century. Father Croiset composed a litany in 1691 from which 17 invocations were used by Venerable Anne Madeleine Remuzat when she composed her litany in 1718 at Marseille. She joined an additional 10 invocations to those of Father Croiset, for a total of 27 invocations. Six more invocations written by Sister Madeleine Joly of Dijon in 1686, were added by the Sacred Congregation for Rites when it was approved for public use in 1899. This makes a total of 33 invocations, one for each year of life of our Lord Jesus Christ. A partial indulgence is attached to this litany. Kyrie, eleison Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, Filii Patris aeterni, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, in sinu Virginis Matris a Spiritu Sancto formatum miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, Verbo Dei substantialiter unitum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, maiestatis inifinitae, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, templum Dei sanctum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, tabernaculum Altissimi, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, domus Dei et porta caeli, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, fornax ardens caritatis, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, iustitiae et amoris receptaculum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, bonitate et amore plenum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, virtutem omnium abyssus, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, omni laude dignissimum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, rex et centrum omnium cordium, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, in quo sunt omnes thesauri sapientiae et scientiae, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, in quo habitat omnis plenitudo divinitatis, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, in quo Pater sibi bene complacuit, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, de cuius plenitudine omnes nos accepimus, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, desiderium collium aeternorum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, patiens et multae misericordiae, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, dives in omnes qui invocant te, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, fons vitae et sanctitatis, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, propitiatio pro peccatis nostris, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, saturatum opprobriis, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, attritum propter scelera nostra, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, usque ad mortem obediens factum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, lancea perforatum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, fons totius consolationis, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, vita et resurrectio nostra, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, pax et reconciliatio nostra, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, victima peccatorum, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, salus in te sperantium, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, spes in te morientium, miserere nobis. Cor Iesu, deliciae Sanctorum omnium, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis, Domine. V. Iesu, mitis et humilis Corde, R. Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. Oremus; Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, respice in Cor dilectissimi Filii tui et in laudes et satisfactiones, quas in nomine peccatorum tibi persolvit, iisque misericordiam tuam petentibus, tu veniam concede placatus in nomine eiusdem Filii tui Iesu Christi: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, obedient to death, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us. Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord. V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart. R. Make our hearts like to Thine. Let us pray; Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Precious Blood -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Deus, qui Unigenite Filii tui passione---- ----O God, Who by the Passion of Thine Only- begotten Son Deus, qui Unigenite Filii tui passione, et per quinque Vulnera eius Sanguinis effusione humanam naturam peccato perditam reparasti; tribue nobis, quaesumus, ut qui ab eo suscepta Vulnera veneramur in terris, eiusdem pretiosissimi Sanguinis fructum consequi mereamur in caelis. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- O God, who by the Passion of Thine only-begotten Son, and by the shedding of His precious Blood through His five Wounds, didst restore human nature when it was lost by sin; grant us, we beseech Thee, that we who venerate on earth the Wounds suffered by Him, may be found worthy to obtain in heaven the fruits of that same Most Precious Blood. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Salvete, Christi vulnera---- ----Hail, Holy Wounds of Jesus---- Salvete, Christi vulnera, Immensi amoris pignora, Quibus perennes rivuli Manant rubentis sanguinis. Nitore stellas vincitis, Rosas odore et balsama, Pretio lapillos Indicos, Mellis favos dulcedine. Per vos patet gratissimum Nostris asylum mentibus; Non huc furor minantium Unquam penetrat hostium. Quot Iesus in praetorio Flagella nudus excipit! Quot scissa pellis undique Stillat cruoris guttulas! Fontem venustam, proh dolor! Corona pugnit spinea, Clavi retusa cuspide Pedes manusque perforant. Postquam sed ille tradidit Amans volensque spiritum, Pectus feritur lancea, Geminusque liquor exsilit. Ut plena sit redemptio, Sub torculari stringitur, Suique Iesus immemor, Sibi nil reservat sanguinis. Venite, quotquot criminum Funesta labes inficit: In hoc salutis balneo Qui se levat, mundabitur. Summi ad Parentis dexteram Sedenti habenda est gratia, Qui nos redemit sanguine, Sanctoque firmat Spiritu. Amen. --------------------- Hail, Holy Wounds of Jesus, hail! Sweet pledges of the saving Rood! Whence flow the streams that never fail- The purple streams of His dear Blood. Brighter that the brightest stars ye show, Than sweetest rose your scent more rare, No Indian gem may match your glow, No honey's taste with yours compare. Portals are ye to that dear Home, Wherein our wearied souls may hide, Whereto no angry foe can come, The heart of Jesus Crucified. What countless stripes our Jesus bore, All naked left in Pilate's hall, What copious floods of purple gore Through rents in His torn garments fall. His comely brow, O shame and grief, By the sharp, thorny crown is riven, Through hands and feet, without relief The cruel nails are deeply driven. But when for our poor sakes He died, A willing Priest, by love subdued, The soldier's spear transfixed His side- Forth flowed the water and the blood. Beneath the winepress of God's wrath, To save our souls from endless pains, Still hour by hour His Blood pours forth Till not a single drop remains. Come, bathe you in that healing flood, All ye who mourn with sin opprest, Your only hope in Jesus' Blood, His Sacred Heart your only rest. All praise to Him, the eternal Son, At God's right hand enthroned above, Whose Blood the world's redemption won, Whose Spirit seals the gifts of love. Amen. (Tr. H. N. Oxenham) -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Holy Name -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Litania Sanctissimi Nominis Iesu---- ----Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus---- The Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus was likely composed in the 15th century by St. John Capistrano (1386-1456) and by St. Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444) who preached extensively on the devotion to the Name of Jesus. The Litany was approved for private usage by Pope Sixtus V in 1585. The present form was approved by Pope Pius IX for local usage in 1862 and then in 1866 Pope Leo XIII approved it for public use in the Universal Church. A partial indulgence is attached to this prayer. Kyrie, eleison Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison Kyrie, eleison. Iesu, audi nos Iesu, audi nos. Iesu, exaudi nos. Iesu, exaudi nos. Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis. Iesu, Fili Dei vivi, miserere nobis. Iesu, splendor Patris, miserere nobis. Iesu, candor lucis aeternae, miserere nobis. Iesu, rex gloriae, miserere nobis. Iesu, sol iustitiae, miserere nobis. Iesu, Fili Mariae Virginis, miserere nobis. Iesu, amabilis, miserere nobis. Iesu, admirabilis, miserere nobis. Iesu, Deus fortis, miserere nobis. Iesu, pater fururi saeculi, miserere nobis. Iesu, magni consilii angele, miserere nobis. Iesu potentissime, miserere nobis. Iesu patientissime, miserere nobis. Iesu obedientissime, miserere nobis. Iesu, mitis et humilis corde, miserere nobis. Iesu, amator castitatis, miserere nobis. Iesu, amator noster, miserere nobis. Iesu, Deus pacis, miserere nobis. Iesu, auctor vitae, miserere nobis. Iesu, exemplar virtutum, miserere nobis. Iesu, zelator animarum, miserere nobis. Iesu, Deus noster, miserere nobis. Iesu, refugium nostrum, miserere nobis. Iesu, pater pauperum, miserere nobis. Iesu, thesaure fidelium, miserere nobis. Iesu, bone pastor, miserere nobis. Iesu, lux vera, miserere nobis. Iesu, sapientia aeternae, miserere nobis. Iesu, bonitas infinita, miserere nobis. Iesu, via et vita nostra, miserere nobis. Iesu, gaudium Angelorum, miserere nobis. Iesu, rex Patriarcharum, miserere nobis. Iesu, magister Apostolorum, miserere nobis. Iesu, doctor Evangelistarum, miserere nobis. Iesu, fortitudo Martyrum, miserere nobis. Iesu, lumen Confessorum, miserere nobis. Iesu, puritas Virginum, miserere nobis. Iesu, corona Sanctorum omnium, miserere nobis. Propitius esto, parce nobis, Iesu. Propitius esto, exaudi nos, Iesu. Ab omni malo, libera nos, Iesu. Ab omni peccato, libera nos, Iesu. Ab ira tua, libera nos, Iesu. Ab insidias diaboli, libera nos, Iesu. A spiritu fornicationis, libera nos, Iesu. A morte perpetua, libera nos, Iesu. A neglectu inspirationeum tuarum, libera nos, Iesu. Per mysterium sanctae Incarnationis tuae, libera nos, Iesu. Per nativitatem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per infantiam tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per divinissimam vitam tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per labores tuos, libera nos, Iesu. Per agoniam et passionem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per crucem et derelictionem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per languores tuos, libera nos, Iesu. Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per resurrectionem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per ascensionem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per sanctissimae Eucharistiae institutionem tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Per gaudia tua, libera nos, Iesu. Per gloriam tuam, libera nos, Iesu. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Iesu. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis, Iesu. Iesu, audi nos. Iesu, exaudi nos. Oremus; Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti: Petite et accipietis; quaerite et invenietis; pulsate et aperietur vobis; quaesumus, da nobis petentibus divinissimi tui amoris affectum, ut te tot corde, ore et opere diligamus et a tua nunquam laude cessemus. Sancti Nominis tui, Domine, timorem pariter et amorem fac nos habere perpetuum, quia numquam tua gubernatione destituis, quos in soliditate, tuae dilectionis instituis: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy. Jesus, hear us Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, Splendor of the Father, have mercy on us. Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light, have mercy on us. Jesus, King of Glory, have mercy on us. Jesus, Sun of Justice, have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us. Jesus, most amiable, have mercy on us. Jesus, most admirable, have mercy on us. Jesus, the mighty God, have mercy on us. Jesus, Father of the world to come, have mercy on us. Jesus, Angel of Great Council, have mercy on us. Jesus, most powerful, have mercy on us. Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us. Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us. Jesus, Lover of Chastity, have mercy on us. Jesus, our Lover, have mercy on us. Jesus, God of Peace, have mercy on us. Jesus, Author of Life, have mercy on us. Jesus, Model of Virtue, have mercy on us. Jesus, zealous for souls, have mercy on us. Jesus, our God, have mercy on us. Jesus, our Refuge, have mercy on us. Jesus, Father of the Poor, have mercy on us. Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful, have mercy on us. Jesus, good Shepherd, have mercy on us. Jesus, true Light, have mercy on us. Jesus, eternal Wisdom, have mercy on us. Jesus, infinite Goodness, have mercy on us. Jesus, our Way and our Life, have mercy on us. Jesus, joy of the Angels, have mercy on us. Jesus, King of the Patriarchs, have mercy on us. Jesus, Master of the Apostles, have mercy on us. Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists, have mercy on us. Jesus, Strength of Martyrs, have mercy on us. Jesus, Light of Confessors, have mercy on us. Jesus, Purity of Virgins, have mercy on us. Jesus, Crown of all Saints, have mercy on us. Be merciful, spare us O Jesus. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Jesus. >From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus. >From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus. >From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus. >From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Jesus. >From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Jesus. >From everlasting death, deliver us, O Jesus. >From the neglect of Thy inspirations, deliver us, O Jesus. Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Infancy, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy most divine Life, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Labors, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Agony and Passion, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Cross and Dereliction, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Sufferings, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Resurrection, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Ascension, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Joys, deliver us, O Jesus. Through Thy Glory, deliver us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus. Jesus hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. Let us pray; O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you"; mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the grace of Thy most divine love, that we may love Thee with all our hearts, and in all our words and actions, and never cease to praise Thee. Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name, for Thou never failest to govern those who Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O bone Iesu---- ----O Good Jesu---- O bone Iesu, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam miserere mei. O clementissime Iesu, te deprecor per illum Sanguinem pretiosum, quem pro peccatoribus effundere voluisti, ut abluas omnes iniquitates meas et in me respicias miserum et indignum invocantem tuum sanctum Nomen. Ergo, Iesu, propter Nomen sanctum tuum salva me. --------------------- O good Jesu, according to Thy great mercy, have mercy on me. O most merciful Jesu, by that Precious Blood which Thou didst will to shed for sinners, I beseech Thee to wash away all mine iniquities and to look graciously upon me, a poor and unworthy sinner, as I call upon Thy holy Name. Therefore, O Jesus, do Thou save me for Thy holy Name's sake. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- God the Holy Spirit -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Concede, quaesumus---- ----Grant, we beseech Thee---- >From the Roman Missal Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, sanctum nos Spiritum votis promereri sedulis, quatenus eius gratia et ab omnibus liberemur tentationibus, et peccatorum nostrorum indulgentiam percipere mereamur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we may so please Thy Holy Spirit by our earnest entreaties, that we may by His grace both be freed from all temptations and merit to receive the forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Veni, Creator Spiritus---- ----Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest-- -- One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus, is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). It is used at Vespers, Pentecost, Dedication of a Church, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and whenever the Holy Spirit is solemnly invoked. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost. Veni, Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita, Imple superna gratia Quae tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus, Altissima donum Dei, Fons vivus, ignis, caritas, Et spiritalis unctio. Tu, septiformis munere, Digitus paternae dexterae, Tu rite promissum Patris, Sermone ditans guttura. Accende lumen sensibus: Infunde amorem cordibus: Infirma nostri corporis Virtute firmans perpeti. Hostem repellas longius, Pacemque dones protinus: Ductore sic te praevio Vitemus omne noxium. Per te sciamus da Patrem, Noscamus atque Filium; Teque utrisque Spiritum Credamus omni tempore. Deo Patri sit gloria, Et Filio, qui a mortuis Surrexit, ac Paraclito, In saeculorum saecula. Amen. --------------------- Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, And in our souls take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, And sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who do the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, And make our hearts o'erflow with love; With patience firm and virtue high The weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, And grant us Thy peace instead; So shall we not, with Thee for guide, Turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow The Father and the Son to know; And Thee, through endless times confessed, Of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, With Thou, O Holy Comforter, Henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen. >From the Enchridion of Indulgences. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Veni, Sancte Spiritus---- ----Come, Holy Spirit---- Veni, Sancte Spiritus is the sequence from the Mass for Pentecost. It is attributed to Stephen Langton (d 1228), Archbisop of Canterbury. Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Et emitte coelitus Lucis tuae radium. Veni, pater pauperum, Veni, dator munerum Veni, lumen cordium. Consolator optime, Dulcis hospes animae, Dulce refrigerium. In labore requies, In aestu temperies In fletu solatium. O lux beatissima, Reple cordis intima Tuorum fidelium. Sine tuo numine, Nihil est in homine, Nihil est innoxium. Lava quod est sordidum, Riga quod est aridum, Sana quod est saucium. Flecte quod est rigidum, Fove quod est frigidum, Rege quod est devium. Da tuis fidelibus, In te confidentibus, Sacrum septenarium. Da virtutis meritum, Da salutis exitum, Da perenne gaudium, Amen, Alleluia. --------------------- Come, Holy Spirit, Send forth from on high The radiance of Thy light. Come, Thou, Father of the poor, Come, dispenser of all good gifts, Come, Thou, light of our hearts. Supreme comforter, Beloved guest of our soul, Sweet coolness. In labor, rest; In heat, refreshment; In tears, solace. O most blessed light, Fill the inmost places Of the hearts of Thy faithful. Without Thy power, There is nothing in man, Nothing is harmless. Wash what is soiled, Water what is arid, Heal what is wounded. Bend what is rigid, Warm what is cold, Rule what is wandering. Give to Thy faithful, Hoping in Thee, The Holy sevenfold gift. Give the reward of virtue, Give forth salvation, Give perennial joy. Amen. Alleluia. (t. cento) -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Veni, Sancte Spiritus---- ----Come, Holy Spirit---- A traditional prayer asking for the Holy Spirit. Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis accende. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur, et renovabis faciem terrae. Amen. Oremus: Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustatione docuisti. Da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de euis semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and the shall be created and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Amen. Let us pray: O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Veni, Sancte Spiritus---- ----Come, O Holy Spirit---- This prayer is taken from On Revelation and Trials by St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (1566-1607). It appears in the readings for Matins on her feast day, May 25. Veni, Sancte Spiritus. Veniat unio Patris, beneplacitum Verbi. Tu, Spiritus veritatis, es praemium sanctorum, refrigerium animarum, lux tenebrarum, pauperum divitiae, amantium thesaurus, esurientium satietas, consolatio peregrinorum; tu denique ille es, in quo omnes thesauri continentur. Veni, qui descendens in Mariam fecisti, ut, carnem sumeret Verbum, atque in nobis operare per gratiam quod in illa es per gratiam naturamque operatus. Veni, qui es omnis castae cogitationis alimentum, fons omnis clementiae, omnis puritatis cumulus. Veni et in nobis absume quicquid impedit ne nos absumamur in te. Amen. --------------------- Come, O Holy Spirit. Let this pearl of the Father and delight of the Son come. O Spirit of truth, Thou art the reward of the saints, refreshment of souls, light in the darkness, riches of the poor, treasure of lovers, feeder of the hungry, and comfort of wayfarers; indeed Thou art the one in whom all treasures are contained. Come, Thou who came to Mary so the Word might become flesh and also work in us through grace as Thou worked in her through grace and nature. Come, Thou who art nourishment of every chaste thought, font of all mercy, and sum total of all purity. Come and consume in us whatever impedes us from being consumed in Thee. Amen. >From the Liturgia Horarum, tr. MWM. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Confession -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Actus reparationis---- ----Act of Reparation---- A partial indulgence is granted to those who recite this prayer. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is publicly recited on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer was prescribed to be recited on this feast by Pope Pius XI Iesu dulcissime, cuius effusa in homines caritas, tanta oblivione, negligentia, comtemptione, ingratissime rependitur, en nos, ante altaria tua provoluti, tam nefariam hominum socordiam iniuriasque, quibus undique amantissimum Cor tuum afficitur, peculiari honore resarcire contendimus. Attamen, memores tantae nos quoque indignitatis non expertes aliquando fuisse, indeque vehementissimo dolore commoti, tuam in primis misericordiam nobis imploramus, paratis, voluntaria expiatione compensare flagitia non modo quae ipsi patravimus, sed etiam illorum, qui, longe a salutis via aberrantes, vel te pastorem ducemque sectari detrectant, in sua infidelitate obstinati, vel baptismatis promissa conculcantes, suavissimum tuae legis iugum excusserunt. Quae deploranda crimina, cum universa expiare contendimus, tum nobis singula resarcienda proponimus: vitae cultusque immodestiam atque turpitudines, tot corruptelae pedicas innocentium animis instructas, dies festos violatos, exsecranda in te tuosque Sanctos iactata maledicta atque in tuum Vicarium ordinemque sacerdotalem convicia irrogata, ipsum denique amoris divini Sacramentum, vel neglectum vel horrendis sacrilegiis profanatum, publica postremo nationum delicta, quae Ecclesiae a te institutae iuribus magisterioque reluctantur. Quae utinam crimina sanguine ipsi nostro eluere possemus! Interea ad violatum divinum honorem resarciendum, quam Tu olim Patri in Cruce satisfactionem obtulisti quamque quotidie in altaribus renovare pergis, hanc eamdem nos tibi praestamus, cum Virginis Matris, omnium Sanctorum, piorum quoque fidelium expiationibus coniunctam, ex animo spondentes, cum praeterita nostra aliorumque peccata ac tanti amoris incuriam firma fide, candidis vitae moribus, perfecta legis evangelicae, caritatis potissimum, observantia, quantum in nobis erit, gratia tua favente, nos esse compensaturos, tum iniurias tibi inferendas pro viribus prohibituros, et quam plurimos potuerimus ad tui sequelam convocaturos. Excipias, quaesumus, benignissime Iesu, beata Virgine Maria Reparatrice intercedente, voluntarium huius expiationis obsequium nosque in officio tuique servito fidissimos ad mortem usque velis, magno illo perseverantiae munere, continere, ut ad illam tandem patriam perveniamus omnes, ubi Tu cum! Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before you, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which your loving Heart is everywhere subject. Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow you, their!Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of your law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against you; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against you and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which your Vicar on earth and your priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which you have founded. Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of your divine honor, the satisfaction you once made to your Eternal Father on the cross and which you continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of your grace, for all neglect of your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending you and to bring as many as possible to follow you. O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act or expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to you, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Attende Domine---- ----Hearken, O Lord---- Mozarabic 10th Century Hymn of Praise R: Attende Domine, et miserere, quia pecavimus tibi. Ad te Rex summe, omnium redemptor, oculos nostros sublevamus flentes: exaudi, Christe, supplicantum preces. R Dextera Patris, lapis angularis, via salutis, ianua caelestis, ablue nostri maculas delicti. R Rogamus, Deus, tuam maiestatem: auribus sacris gemitus exaudi: crimina nostra placidus indulge. R Tibi fatemur crimina admissa: contrito corde pandimus occulta: tua Redemptor, pietas ignoscat. R Innocens captus, nec repugnans ductus, testibus falsis pro impiis damnatus: quos redemisti, tu conserva, Christe. R --------------------- R: Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee. Crying, we raise our eyes to Thee, Sovereign King, Redeemer of all. Listen, Christ, to the pleas of the supplicant sinners. R Thou art at the Right Hand of God the Father, the Keystone, the Way of salvation and Gate of Heaven, cleanse the stains of our sins. R O God, we beseech Thy majesty to hear our groans; to forgive our sins. R We confess to Thee our consented sins; we declare our hidden sins with contrite heart; in Thy mercy, O Redeemer, forgive them. R Thou wert captured, being innocent; brought about without resistance, condemned by impious men with false witnesses. O Christ keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed. R -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----De Profundis----; ----Out of the Depths---- De Profundis is Psalm 129 (Psalm 130 NAB) of the Vulgate. It is one of the seven penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 NAB). It has been used from antiquity as a penitential Psalm and for the commemoration of the dead. It is recited in the Office of the Dead, during Vespers (4th Sunday) and Compline (Wednesday). A partial indulgence is granted to those who recite it. De profundis clamavi, ad te Domine; Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes In vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est; Et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius; Speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem, Speret Israel in Domino; Quia apud Dominum misericordia, Et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel Ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius. --------------------- Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication: If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word. My soul waits for the Lord, more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord; For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Libera me---- ----Deliver me, Lord Jesus Christ---- >From the Roman Missal. Libera me, Domine, Iesu Christe, ab omnibus iniquitatis meis et universis malis, fac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis et a te numquam separari permittas. Amen. --------------------- Deliver me, Lord Jesus Christ, from all my iniquities and from every evil, make me ever hold fast to Thy commandments and never allow me to be separated from Thee. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Miserere---- ----Psalm 50---- The Miserere is Psalm 50 in the Vulgate (Psalm 51 NAB) and is the fourth and chief penetential psalm. It is one of the most common prayers for mercy in the liturgy. It is recited every Friday at Lauds. A partial indulgence is granted to those who recite it with a penitential heart. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam; et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum: dele iniquitatem meam. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea et a peccato meo munda me. Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco, et peccatum meum contra me est semper. Tibi, soli peccavi et malum coram te feci, ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum iudicaris. Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum, et in peccatis concepit me mater mea. Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti; incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi. Asparges me hysopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam, et exultabunt ossa humiliata. Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis, et omnes iniquitates meas dele. Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis. Ne proicias me a facie tua, et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui, et spiritu principali confirma me. Docebo iniquos vias tuas, et impii ad te convertentur. Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae, et exultabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam. Domine labia mea aperies, et os meum adnuntiabit laudem tuam. Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique; holocaustis non delectaberis. Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus, cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies. Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion, ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem. Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, oblationes et holocausta; tunc inponent super altare tuum vitulos. --------------------- Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy And according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies: blot out my iniquity. Wash me more yet from my iniquity; and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in Thy sight, that Thou mayest be justified in Thy words, and mayest overcome when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in sin, and in sin my mother conceived me; For behold, THou hast loved truth, the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast manifested unto me THou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed, Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. THou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, and the bones that were humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not out from Thy presence, and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and strenghten me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust Thy ways, and the wicked shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from blood guilt, O God, THou God of my salvation, and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. THou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would surely have given it, with burnt offering THou wilt not be delighted. The sacrifice of God is an afflicted spirit, a contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good will with Sion that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then shall they lay calves upon Thine altars. Latin from Jerome's Vulgate, English from Douay Rheims (mostly). -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Prex Manasse---- ----The Prayer of Manasseh---- The Prayer of Manasseh was originally part of Jerome's Vulgate. After the Council of Trent, however, it was placed in the Appendix as a part of the Apocrypha. Written sometime in the first 2 centuries BC, the Prayer of Manasseh is a classic of penitential devotion. It is associated with the wicked king of Judah, Manasseh who composed a prayer in exile asking for forgiveness of his many sins. (2Chr33:13) Domine Deus omnipotens patrum nostrorum Abraham et Isaac et Iacob et semini eorum iusto; qui fecisti caelum et terram cum omni ornatu eorum; qui signasti mare verbo praecepti tui, qui conclusisti abyssum et signasti eam terribili et laudabili nomine tuo; quem omnia pavent et tremunt a vultu virtutis tuae, quia importabilis est magnificentia gloriae tuae et insustentabilis ira super peccatores comminationis tuae; inmensa vero et investigabilis misericordia promissionis tuae, quoniam Tu es Dominus altissimus super omnem terram benignus longanimis et multum misericors et paenitens super malitias hominum. Tu, autem, Domine, secundum bonitatem tuam promisisti paenitentiam et remissionem iis qui peccaverunt tibi; et multitudine miserationum tuarum decrevisti poenitentiam peccatoribus in salutem. Et, tu, igitur, Domine, Deus iustorum, non posuisti paenitentiam iustis Abraham et Isaac et Iacob his qui tibi non peccaverunt, sed posuisti poenitentiam propter me peccatorem. Quoniam peccavi super numerum harenae maris, multiplicatae sunt iniquitates meae, Domine, multiplicatae sunt iniquitates meae! Et non sum dignus intueri et aspicere altitudinem caeli prae multitudine iniquitatum mearum. Incurvatus sum multo vinculo ferro, ut non possim attollere caput meum et non est respiratio mihi, quia excitavi iracundiam tuam et malum coram te feci statuens abominationes et multiplicans offensiones. Et nunc flecto genua cordis mei, precans ad te bonitatem Domine. Peccavi ,Domine, peccavi, et iniquitatem meam agnosco. Quare peto rogans te, Domine, remitte mihi, remitte mihi! Ne simul perdas me cum iniquitatibus meis neque in aeternum iratus reserves mala mihi neque damnes me in infima terrae loca. Quia tu es, Deus, Deus inquam poenitentium, et in me ostendes omnem bonitatem tuam! Quia indignum salvabis me secundum magnam misericordiam tuam, et laudabo te semper omnibus diebus vitae meae. Quoniam te laudat omnis virtus caelorum et tibi est gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O Lord Almighty, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of all their righteous seed; Thou who hast made heaven and earth with all their adornments; Thou who hast marked the sea with Thy word of command, Thou who hast confined the deep and marked it with Thy terrible and glorious name; at Whom all things quake and tremble before Thy virtuous face, for unbearable is the magnificence of Thy glory and overwhelming is the threat of Thy wrath upon sinners; yet truly boundless and unknowable is the promise of Thy mercy, for Thou art the Lord, the Most High over all the earth, compassionate, long-suffering, and greatly merciful, and repentant over the evils of men. Thou, however, O Lord, according to Thy goodness, hast promised repentance and remission for those who have sinned against Thee; and in the multitude of Thy mercies Thou hast appointed repentance for salvation of sinners. Therefore, Thou, O Lord, God of the just, hast not appointed repentance for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who did not sin against Thee, but Thou hast appointed repentance for me on account of my sins. For my sins number more than the grains of sand in the sea, my sins I have multiplied, O Lord, my sins I have multiplied! I am not worthy to gaze upon and behold heaven above because of the multitude of my sins. I am bowed down by many fetters of iron, so that I cannot lift my head nor can I breathe, for I have provoked Thy wrath and done evil in Thy sight, setting up abominations and multiplying my offenses. And now I bend on my knee and humble my heart, beseeching Thy goodness, O Lord. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. For this reason I beg to ask Thee, O Lord, forgive me, forgive me! Do not destroy me with my transgressions nor be angry forever with me nor condemn me to the depths of the inferno. For I say Thou art, O God, the God of the repentant, and in me Thou wilt show Thy great goodness! For, unworthy as I am, Thou wilt save me according to Thy great mercy, and I will praise Thee always for all of the days of my life. For all the host of the heavens praise Thee and to Thee be glory forever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Prayers Before and After Mass -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Oratio Sancti Ambrosii Ante Missam---- ----Prayer of St. Ambrose Before Mass---- Saint Ambrose (340-397) is one of the four great Latin Fathers and Doctors of the Western Church. He was appointed Bishop of Milan in 374. He wrote about Scripture, the priesthood, the faith, and hymnology. Ad mensam dulcissimi convivii tui, pie Domine Iesu Christe, ego peccator de propriis meis meritis nihil praesumens, sed de tua confidens misericordia et bonitate, accedere vereor et contremisco. Nam cor et corpus habeo multis criminibus maculatem, mentem et linguam non caute custoditam. Ergo, o pia Deitas, o tremenda maiestas, ego miser, inter angustias deprehensus, ad te fontem misericordiae recurro, ad te festino sanandus, sub tuam protectionem fugio; et quem Iudicem sustinere nequeo, Salvatorem habere suspiro. Tibi, Domine, plagas meas ostendo, tibi verecundiam meam detego. Scio peccata mea multa et magna, pro quibus timeo; spero in misericordias tuas, quarum non est numerus.Rescipe ergo in me oculis misercordiae tuae, Domine, Iesu Christe, Rex aeterna, Deus et homo, crucifixus propter hominem. Exaudi me sperantem in te; miserere mei pleni miseriis et peccatis, tu qui fontem miserationis numquam manare cessabis. Salve, salutaris victima, pro me et omnia humano genere in patibulo Crucis oblata. Salve, nobilis, et pretiose sanguis, de vuleribus crucifixi Domini mei Iesu Christi profluens, et peccata totus mundi abluens. Recordare, Domine, creaturae tuae, quam tuo Sanguine redemisti. Paenitet me peccasse, cupio emendare quod feci. Aufer ergo a me, clementissime Pater, omnes iniquitates et peccata mea; ut, purificatus mente et corpore, digne degustare merear Sancta et corpore, digne degustare merear Sancta sanctorum. Et concede, ut haec sancta praelibatio Corporis et Sanguinis tui, quam ego indignus sumere intendo, sit peccatorum meorum remissio, sit delictorum perfecta purgatio, sit turpium cogitationem effugatio ac bonorum sensuum regeneratio, operumque tibi placentium salubris efficacia, animae quoque et corporis contra inimicorum meorum insidias firmissima tuitio. Amen. --------------------- Lord Jesus Christ, I approach Thy banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth, but only on Thy goodness and mercy. I am defiled by my many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words. Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek Thy protection, I look for Thy healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to Thee, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear Thy judgment, but I trust in Thy salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to Thee and uncover my shame before Thee. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in Thy mercies, for they cannot be numbered. Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal King, God and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in Thee. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of Thy compassion never ends. Praise to Thee saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy blood; I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I h`ve done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies. May Thy Body and Blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite me to do the works pleasing to Thee and profitable to my health in body and soul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Sancti Thomae Aquinatis Ante Missam--- - ----Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas Before Mass---- Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, ecce accedo ad sacramentum unigeniti Filii tui, Domini nostri, Iesu Christi; accedo tamquam infirmus ad medicum vitae, immundus ad fontem misericordiae, caecus ad lumen claritatis aeternae, pauper et egenus ad Dominum caeli et terrae. Rogo ergo immensae largitatis tuae abundantiam, quatenus meam curare digneris infirmitatem, lavare foeditatem, illuminare caecitatem, ditare paupertatem, vestire nuditatem; ut panem Angelorum, Regem et Dominum dominantium, tanta suscipiam reverentia et humilitate, tanta contritione et devotione, tanta puritate et fide, tali proposito et intentione, sicut expedit saluti animae meae. Da mihi, quaeso, Dominici Corporis et Sanguinis non solum suscipere sacramentum, sed etiam rem et virtutem sacramenti. O mitissime Deus, da mihi Corpus unigeniti Filii tui, Domini nostri, Iesu Christi, quod traxit de Virgine Maria, sic suscipere, ut corpori suo mystico merear incoporari, et inter eius membra connumerari. O amantissime Pater, concede mihi dilectum Filium tuum, quem nunc velatum in via suscipere propono, revelata tandem facie perpetuo contemplari: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen --------------------- Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in Thy great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of angels, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me to salvation. May I receive the sacrament of the Lord's body and blood, in its reality and power. Kind God, may I receive the body of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so received into His mystical body, and numbered among His members. Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Thy beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio ad Beatam Mariam Virginem Ante Missam--- - ----Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary Before Mass - --- O Mater pietatis et misericordiae, beatissima Virgo Maria, ego miser et indignus peccator ad te confugio toto corde et affectu; et precor pietatem tuam, ut, sicut dulcissimo Filio tuo in Cruce pendenti astitisti, ita et mihi, misero peccatori, et sacerdotibus omnibus, hic et in tota sancta Ecclesia hodie offerentibus, clementer adsistere digneris, ut, tua gratia adiuti, dignam et acceptabilem hostiam in conspectu summae et individuae Trinitatis offerre valeamus. Amen. --------------------- Mother of mercy and love, blessed Virgin Mary, I am a poor and unworthy sinner, and I turn to thee in confidence and love. Thou stoodst by thy Son as He hung dying on the cross. Stand also by me, a poor sinner, and by all the priests who are offering Mass today here and throughout the entire Church. Help us to offer a perfect and acceptable sacrifice in the sight of the holy and undivided Trinity, our most high God. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. A prayer before communion. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Preces Ad Sanctum Ioseph Ante Missam---- ----Prayer to St. Joseph Before Mass---- >From the Roman Missal. O felicem virum, beatum Ioseph, cui datum est Deum, quem multi reges voluerunt videre et non viderunt, audire et non audierunt, non solum videre et audire, sed portare, deosculari, vestire et custodire! V Ora pro nobis, beate Iospeh. R Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi. Deus, qui dedisti nobis regale sacerdotium: praesta, quaesumus; ut, sicut beatus Ioseph unigenitum Filium tuum, natum ex Maria Virgine, suis manibus reverenter tractare meruit et portare, ita nos facias cum cordis munditia et operis innocentia tuis sanctis altaribus deservire, ut sacrosanctum Filii tui Corpus et Sanguinem hodie digne sumamus, et in futuro saeculo praemium habere mereamur aeternum. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen --------------------- O Blessed Joseph, happy man, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God Whom many kings longed to see, and saw not, to hear, and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and guard and defend Him. V Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph. R That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ O God, Who has given us a royal priesthood, we beseech Thee, that as Blessed Joseph was found worthy to touch with his hands, and to bear in his arms, Thy only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so may we be made fit, by cleanness of heart and blamelessness of life, to minister at Thy holy altar; may we, this day, with reverent devotion partake of the Sacred Body and Blood of Your Only-begotten Son, and may we in the world to come be accounted worthy of receiving an everlasting reward. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Ad Omnes Angelos et Sanctos Ante Missam---- ----Prayer to All the Angels and Saints Before Mass---- Angeli, Archangeli, Throni, Dominationes, Principatus, Potestates, Virtutes caelorum, Cherebim atque Seraphim, omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, praesertim Patroni mei, intercedere dignemini pro me, ut hoc sacrificium Deo omnipotenti digne valeam offerre, ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui et ad utilitatem meam totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae. Amen --------------------- Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, heavenly Virtues, Cherubim and Seraphim; all Saints of God, holy men and women, and for you especially my patrons: deign to intercede for me that I may be worthy to offer this Sacrifice to almighty God, to the praise and glory of His name, for my own welfare and also that of all His holy Church. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Ante Missam ad Sanctum in cuius Honorem Missam Celebratur---- ----Prayer Before Mass to the Saint in Whose Honor the Mass is Celebrated---- O sancte/sancta N, ecce ego miser peccator, de tuis meritis confisus, offero nunc sacratissimum sacramentum Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Iesu Christi pro tuo honore et gloria. Precor te humiliter et devote, ut pro me hodie intercedere digneris, ut tantum sacrificium digne et acceptabiliter offere valeam, ut eum tecum et cum omnibus electis eius aeternaliter laudare, atque cum eo regnare valeam: Qui vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O Holy N., behold I, a wretched sinner, relying on your merits, now offer up to your honor and glory the most holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Humbly and devoutly do I beg you to intercede for me this day, and to plead that I may have grace to offer this great Sacrifice in a worthy and acceptable fashion and to be able to sing His praises eternally with you and with all His elect in heaven. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen. >From the 1962 Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Formula Intensionis Ante Missam---- ----Statement of Intention---- Composed by Pope Gregory XIII (1572 - 1585), from the Roman Missal Ego volo celebrare Missam, et conficere Corpus et Sanguinem Domini nostri Iesu Christi, iuxta ritum sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, ad laudem omnipotentis Dei totiusque Curiae triumphantis, ad utlitatem meam totiusque Curiae militantis, pro omnibus, qui se commendaverunt orationibus meis in genere et in specie, et pro felici statu sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae. Gaudium cum pace, ememdationem vitae, spatium verae paenitentiae, gratiam et consolationem Sancti Spiritus, perseverantiam in bonis operibus, tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. Amen --------------------- My purpose is to celebrate Mass and to make present the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the rite of the holy Roman Church to the praise of our all-powerful God and all His assembly in the glory of heaven, for my good and the good of all His pilgrim Church on earth, and for all who have asked me to pray for them in general and in particular, and for the good of the holy Roman Church. May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us joy and peace, amendment of life, room for true repentance, the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit and perseverance in good works. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Anima Christi---- ----Soul of Christ---- The author or this classic prayer is unknown, although some attribute it to Blessed Bernadine of Feltre. It was a favorite of St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) who popularized its usage. The prayer carries a partial indulgence. Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salve me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me. O bone Iesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te. Ab hoste maligno defende me. In hora mortis meae voca me. Et iube me venire ad te, ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te in saecula saeculorum. Amen --------------------- Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Your wounds, hide me. Separated from You let me never be. >From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. To come to you, bid me, That I may praise You in the company Of Your Saints, for all eternity. Amen. >From the Roman Missal and Enchiridion. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oblatio Sui ---- ----Prayer of Self-Dedication to Jesus Christ By St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 - 1556), founder of the Jesuits. Suscipe, Domine, universam meam libertatem. Accipe memoriam, intellectum atque voluntatem omnem. Quidquid habeo vel possideo mihi largitus es; id tibi totum restituo, ac tu> prorsus voluntati trado gubernandum. Amorem tui solum cum gratia tua mihi dones, et dives sum satis, nec aliud quidquam ultra posco. Amen --------------------- Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding, and my will. All that I have and cherish Thou hast given me. I surrender it all to be guided by Thy will. Thy grace and Thy love are wealth enough for me. Give me these Lord Jesus and I ask for nothing more. Amen Roman Missal -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu---- ----Prayer Before a Crucifix---- A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful on any Friday of Lent or Passiontide who after Communion piously recite the above prayer before an image of Christ crucified. On other days of the year the indulgence is partial. En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo, ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor, ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei et caritatis sensus, atque veram peccatorum meorum poenitentiam, eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere; dum magno animi affectu et dolore tua quinque vulnera mecum ipse considero ac mente contemplor, illud prae oculis habens, quod iam in ore ponebat tuo David propheta de te, o bono Iesu: Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos: dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea. Amen --------------------- My good and dear Jesus, I kneel before you, asking most earnestly to engrave upon my heart a deep and lively faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. As I reflect upon your five wounds, and dwell upon them with deep compassion and grief, I recall, good Jesus, the words the prophet David spoke long ago concerning yourself: they have pierced my hand and feet, they have counted all my bones Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Sancti Thomae Aquinatis Post Missam--- - ----Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas After Mass---- Gratias tibi ago, Domine, sancte Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus, qui me peccatorem, indignum famulum tuum, nullis meis meritis, sed sola dignatione misericordiae tuae satiare dignatus es pretioso Corpore et Sanguine Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi. Et precor, ut haec sancta communio non sit mihi reatus ad poenam, sed intercessio salutaris ad veniam. Sit mihi armatura fidei et scutum bonae voluntatis. Sit vitiorum meorum evacuatio, concupiscentiae et libidinis exterminatio, caritatis et patientiae, humilitatis et obedientiae omniumque virtutem augmentatio: contra insidias inimicorum omnium, tam visibilum quam invisibilium firma defensio; motuum meorum, tam carnalium quam spiritualium, perfecta quietatio: in te uno ac vero Deo firma adhaesio; atque finis mei felix consummatio. Et precor te, ut ad illud ineffabile convivium me peccatorum perducere digneris, ubi tu, cum Filio tuo et Spiritu Sancto. Sanctis tuis es lux vera, satietas plena, gaudium sempiternum, iucunditas consummata et felicitas perfecta. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, Father all-powerful, and ever-living God, I thank Thee, for even though I am a sinner, Thy unprofitable servant, not because of my worth, but in the kindness of Thy mercy, Thou hast fed me with the precious Body and Blood of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this holy communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and the growth in power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to Thee, the one true God and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with Thee. And I pray that Thou willest lead me, a sinner to the banquet where Thou with Thy Son and Holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to Thy saints. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Sancti Bonaventuri---- ----Prayer of Saint Bonaventure---- St. Bonaventure (1218-1274) was born in Tuscany and became a Franciscan. He is regarded as the greatest exponent of Mystical Theology in the Middle Ages and is known as the Seraphic Doctor. Transfige, dulcissime Domine Iesu, medullas et viscera animae meae suavissimo ac saluberrimo amoris tui vulnere, vera serenaque et apostolica sanctissima caritate, ut langueat et liquefiat anima mea solo semper amore et desiderio tui, te concupiscat et deficiat in atria tua, cupiat dissolvi et esse tecum. Da ut anima mea te esuriat, panem Angelorum, refectionem animarum sanctarum; panem nostrum cotidianum, supersubstantialem, habentem omnem dulcendinem et saporum, et omne delectamentum suavitatis. Te, in quem desiderant Angeli prospicere, semper esuriat et comedat cor meum, et dulcedine saporis tui repleantur viscera animae meae; te semper sitiat fontem vitae, fontem sapientiae et scientiae, fontem aeterni luminis, torentem voluptatis, ubertatem domus Dei. Te semper ambiat, te quaerat, te inveniat, ad te tendat, ad te perveniat, te meditetur, te loquatur, et omnia operetur in laudem et gloriam nominis tui, cum humilitate et discretione, cum dilectione, et delectatione, cum facilitate et affectu, cum perseverantia usque in finem; ut tu sis solus semper spes mea, tota fiducia mea divinitiae meae, delectatio mea, iucunditas mea, gaudium meum, quies et tranquillitas mea, pax mea, suavitas mea, odor meus, dulcedo mea, cibus meus, refectio mea, refugium meum, auxilium meum, sapientia mea, portio mea, possessio mea, thesaurus meus, in quo fixa et firma et immobiliter semper sit radicata mens mea et cor meum. Amen --------------------- Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God. May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end; may Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquillity, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Universalis---- ----Universal Prayer---- Written by Pope Clement XI (1721-1724). Credo Domine, sed credam firmius; spero, sed sperem securius; amo, sed amem ardentius; doleo, sed doleam vehementius. Adoro te ut primum principium; desidero ut finem ultimum; laudo ut benefactorem perpetuum; invoco ut defensorem propitium. Tua me sapientia dirige, iustitia contine clementia solare, potentia protege. Offero tibi, Domine cogitanda, ut sint ad te; dicenda, ut sint de te; facienda, ut sint secundum te; ferenda, ut sint proper te. Volo quidquid vis, volo quia vis, volo quomodo vis, volo quamdiu vis. Oro, Domine; intellectum illumines, voluntatem inflammes, cor emundes, animam sanctifices. Defleam praeteritas iniquitates, repellam futuras tentationes, corrigam vitiosas propensiones, excolam idoneas virtutes. Tribue mihi, bone Deus, amorem tui, odium mei, zelum proximi, contemplum mundi. Studeam superibus obedire, inferioribus subvenire, amicus consulere, inimicis parcere. Vincam voluptatem austeritate, avaritiam largitate, iracundiam lenitate, tepiditatem fervore. Redde me prudentem in consuliis, constantem in periculis, patientem in adversis, humilem in properis. Fac, Domine, ut sim in oratione attentus, in epulis sobrius, in munere sedulus, in proposito firmus. Curem habere innocentiam interiorem, modestiam exteriorem, conversationem exemplarem, vitam regularem. Assidue invigilem naturae domandae, gratiae fovendae legi servandae , saluti promerendae. Discam a te quam tenue quod terrenum, quam grande quod divinum, quam breve quod temporaneum, quam durabile quod aeternum. Da mortem praeveniam, iudicium pertimeam, infernum effugiam, paradisum obtineam. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen --------------------- Lord, I believe in Thee: increase my faith. I trust in Thee: strengthen my trust. I love Thee: let me love Thee more and more. I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow. I worship Thee as my first beginning, I long for Thee as my last end, I praise Thee as my constant helper, and call on Thee as my loving protector. Guide me by Thy wisdom, correct me with Thy justice, comfort me with Thy mercy, protect me with Thy power. I offer Thee, Lord, my thoughts; to be fixed on Thee; my words: to have Thee for their theme; my actions: to reflect my love for Thee; my sufferings: to be endured for Thy greater glory. I want to do what THou askest of me: in the way Thou askest, because Thou askest it. Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy. Help me to repent of my past sins and to resist temptation in the future. Help me to rise above my human weakness and to grow stronger as a Christian. Let me love Thee, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others. Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity. Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, temperate in food and drink, diligent in my work, firm in my good intentions. Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, my life well-ordered. Put me on guard against my human weaknesses. Let me cherish Thy love for me, keep Thy law, and come at last to Thy salvation. Teach me to realize that this world is passing, that my true future is happiness of heaven, that life on earth is short, and the life to come eternal. Help me to prepare for death with a proper fear of judgment, but a greater trust in Thy goodness. Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven. Grant this though Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio ad Mariam Virginem Post Missam---- ----Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary After Mass- --- O Maria, Virgo et Mater sanctissima, ecce suscepi dilectissimum Filium tuum, quem immaculato utero tuo concepisti, genuisti, lactasti, atque suavissimis amplexibus strinxisti. Ecce, cuius aspectu laetabaris et omnibus deliciis replebaris, illum ipsum tibi humiliter et amanter repraessento et offero tuis bracchiis constringendum, tuo corde amandum, sanctissimaeque Trinitati in supremum latriae cultum, pro tui ipsius honore et gloria et pro meis totiusque mundi necessitatibus, offerendum. Rogo ergo te, piissima Mater, impetra mihi veniam omnium peccatorum meorum, uberemque gratiam ipsi deinceps fidelius serviendi, ac denique gratiam finalem, ut eum tecum laudare possim per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen --------------------- O Mary, most holy virgin mother, I have received thy Son, Jesus Christ. With love thou becamest His mother, gave birth to Him, nursed Him, and helped Him grow to manhood. With love I return Him to thee, to hold once more, to love with all thy heart, and to offer to the Holy Trinity as our supreme act of worship for thy honor and for the good of all thy pilgrim brothers and sisters. Mother ask God to forgive my sins and to help me serve Him more faithfully. Keep me true to Christ until death, and let me come to praise Him with you for ever and ever. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Placeat---- A traditional prayer offered after Mass. Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis meae: et praesta; ut sacrificium, quod oculis tuae maiestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique et omnibus, pro quibus illud obtuli, sit, te miserante, propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- May the tribute of my humble ministry be pleasing to Thee, Holy Trinity. Grant that the sacrifice which I, unworthy as I am, have offered in the presence of Thy majesty may be acceptable to Thee. Through Thy mercy may it bring forgiveness to me and to all for whom I have offered it: through Christ our Lord. Amen. >From the Roman Missal. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Euchristic Adoration -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Adoro Te Devote---- ----Hidden God---- One of the five beautiful hymns St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at the specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) for the then new Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. It is found in the Roman Missal as a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this hymn. Adoro te devote, latens Deitas, Quae sub his figuris vere latitas: Tibi se cor meum totum subiicit, Quia te contemplans totum deficit. Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur, Sed auditu solo tuto creditur. Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius: Nil hoc verbo Veritatis verius. In cruce latebat sola Deitas, At hic latet simul et humanitas; Ambo tamen credens atque confitens, Peto quod petivit latro paenitens. Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor; Deum tamen meum te confiteor. Fac me tibi semper magis credere, In te spem habere, te diligere. O memoriale mortis Domini! Panis vivus, vitam praestans homini! Praesta meae menti de te vivere Et te illi semper dulce sapere. Pie pellicane, Iesu Domine, Me immundum munda tuo sanguine. Cuius una stilla salvum facere Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere. Iesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio, Oro fiat illud quod tam sitio; Ut te revelata cernens facie, Visu sim beatus tuae gloriae. Amen. --------------------- Hidden God, devoutly I adore You, Truly present underneath these veils: All my heart subdues itself before You, Since it all before You faints and fails. Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit, Hearing only do we trust secure; I believe, for God the Son has said it- Word of truth that ever shall endure. On the cross was veiled Your Godhead's splendor, Here Your manhood lies hidden too; Unto both alike my faith I render, And, as sued the contrite thief, I sue. Though I look not on Your wounds with Thomas, You, my Lord, and You, my God, I call: Make me more and more believe Your promise, Hope in You, and love You over all. O memorial of my Savior dying, Living Bread, that gives life to man; Make my soul, its life from You supplying, Taste Your sweetness, as on earth it can. Deign, O Jesus, Pelican of heaven, Me, a sinner, in Your Blood to lave, To a single drop of which is given All the world from all its sin to save. Contemplating, Lord, Your hidden presence, Grant me what I thirst for and implore, In the revelation of Your essence To behold Your glory evermore. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Ave Verum---- ----Hail True Body Truly Born---- Ave Verum is a short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century. During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host during consecration. It also was used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Ave verum Corpus natum De Maria Virgine: Vere passum, immolatum In cruce pro homine: Cuius latus perforatum Fluxit aqua et sanguine: Esto nobis praegustatum Mortis in examine. O Iesu dulcis! O Iesu pie! O Iesu Fili Mariae. Amen. --------------------- Hail, true Body, truly born Of the Virgin Mary mild Truly offered, wracked and torn, On the Cross for all defiled, >From Whose love pierced, sacred side Flowed Your true Blood's saving tide: Be a foretaste sweet to me In my death's great agony, O my loving, Gentle One, Sweetest Jesus, Mary's Son. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Bone pastor, panis vere---- ----Very Bread, good Shepherd---- Bone pastor, panis vere, Iesu, nostri miserere: Tu nos pasce, nos tuere: Tu nos bona fac videre In terra viventium. Tu, qui cuncta scis and vales; Qui nos pascis hic mortales; Tuos ibi commensales, Coheredes et sodales Fac sanctorum civium. Amen. --------------------- Very Bread, good Shepherd, tend us, Jesu, of Thy love befriend us, Thou refresh us, Thou defend us, Thine eternal goodness send us In the land of life to see. Thou who all things canst and knowest, Who on earth such food bestowest, Grant us with Thy Saints, though lowest, Where the heavenly feast Thou shewest, Fellow-heirs and guests to be. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Laudes Divinae---- ----Divine Praises---- The Divine Praises are a series of acclamations praising God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints. It was written originally in 1797 by Luigi Felici, S.J. to make reparations against blasphemy and profanity. Since then it has been added to by recent Popes giving us this present form. The Divine Praises are often used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Benedictus Deus. Benedictum Nomen Sanctum eius. Benedictus Iesus Christus, verus Deus and verus homo. Benedictum Nomen Iesu Benedictum Cor eius sacratissimum. Benedictus Sanguis eius pretiosissimus. Benedictus Iesus in sanctissimo altaris Sacramento. Benedictus Sanctus Spiritus, Paraclitus. Benedicta excelsa Mater Dei, Maria sanctissima. Benedicta sancta eius et immaculata Conceptio. Benedicta eius gloriosa Assumptio. Benedictum nomen Mariae, Virginis et Matris. Benedictus sanctus Ioseph, eius castissimus Sponsus. Benedictus Deus in Angelis suis, et in Sanctis suis. Amen. --------------------- Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen. ----Lauda Sion---- ----Laud, O Zion---- When Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) instituted the new Feast of Corpus Christi he requested St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) to compose hymns for the feast. This is one of the five beautiful hymns he composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to Lauda Sion, St. Thomas wrote Adoro Te Devote, Pange Lingua, Sacris Sollemins and Verbum Supernum. Lauda Sion is the sequence before the Gospel on Corpus Christi. Lauda Sion Salvatorem, Lauda ducem et pastorem, In hymnis et canticis. Quantum potes, tantum aude: Quia maior omni laude, Nec laudare sufficis. Laudis thema specialis, Panis vivus et vitalis Hodie proponitur. Quem in sacrae mensae coenae, Turbae fratrum doudenae Datum non ambigitur. Sit laus plena, sit sonora, Sit iucunda, sit decora Mentis iubilatio. Dies enim solemnis agitur, In qua mensae prima recolitur Huius institutio. In hac mensa novi Regis, Novum Pascha novae legis, Phase vetus terminat. Vetustatem novitas, Umbram fugat veritas, Noctem lux eliminat. Quod in coena Christus gessit, Faciendum hoc expressit In sui memoriam. Docti sacris institutis, Panem, vinum in salutis Consecramus hostiam. Dogma datur christianis, Quod in carnem transit panis, Et vinum in sanguinem. Quod non bapis, quod non vides, Animosa firmat fides, Praeter rerum ordinem. Sub diversis speciebus, Signis tantum, et non rebus, Latent res eximiae. Caro cibus, sanguis potus: Manet tamen Christus totus Sub utraque specie. A sumente non concisus, Non confractus, non divisus: Integer accipitur. Sumit unus, sumunt mille: Quantum isti, tantum ille: Nec sumptus consumitur. Sumunt boni, sumunt mali: Sorte tamen inaequali, Vitae vel interitus. Mors est malis, vita bonis: Vide paris sumptionis Quam sit dispar exitus. Fracto demum sacramento, Ne vacilles, sed memento Tantum esse sub fragmento, Quantum tot tegitur. Nulla rei fit scissura: Signi tantum fit fractura, Qua nec status, nec statura Signati minuitur. Ecce Panis Angelorum, Factus cibus viatorum: Vere panis filiorum, Non mittendus canibus. In figuris praesignatur, Cum Isaac immolatur, Agnus Paschae deputatur, Datur manna patribus. Bone pastor, panis vere, Iesu, nostri miserere: Tu nos pasce, nos tuere, Tu nos bona fac videre In terra viventium. Tui qui cuncta scis et vales, Qui nos pascis hic mortales: Tuos ibi commensales, Coheredes et sodales Fac sanctorum civium. Amen. Alleluia. --------------------- Zion, to Your Savior sing, To Your Shepherd and Your King! Let the air with praises ring! All you can, proclaim with mirth, Far higher is His worth Than the glory words may wing. Lo! before our eyes and living Is the Sacred Bread life-giving, Theme of canticle and hymn. We profess this Bread from heaven To the Twelve by Christ was given, For our faith rest firm in Him. Let us form a joyful chorus, May our lauds ascend sonorous, Bursting from each loving breast. For we solemnly record How the Table of the Lord With the Lamb's own gift was blest. On this altar of the King This new Paschal Offering Brings an end to ancient rite. Shadows flee that truth may stay, Oldness to the new gives way, And the night's darkness to the light. What at Supper Christ completed He ordained to be repeated, In His memory Divine. Wherefore now, with adoration, We, the Host of our salvation, Consecrate from bread and wine. Words a nature's course derange, That in Flesh the bread may change And the wine in Christ's own Blood. Does it pass your comprehending? Faith, the law of light transcending, Leaps to things not understood. Here beneath these signs are hidden Priceless things, to sense forbidden; Signs, not things, are all we see. Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine, Yet is Christ in either sign, All entire confessed to be. And whoe'er of Him partakes, Severs not, nor rends, nor breaks: All entire, their Lord receive. Whether one or thousand eat, All receive the selfsame meat, Nor do less for others leave. Both the wicked and the good Eat of this celestial Food: But with ends how opposite! With this most substantial Bread, Unto life or death they're fed, In a difference infinite. Nor a single doubt retain, When they break the Host in twain, But that in each part remain What was in the whole before; For the outward sign alone May some change have undergone, While the Signified stays one, And the same forevermore. Hail! Bead of the Angels, broken, For us pilgrims food, and token Of the promise by Christ spoken, Children's meat, to dogs denied! Shown in Isaac's dedication, In the Manna's preparation, In the Paschal immolation, In old types pre-signified. Jesus, Shepherd mild and meek, Shield the poor, support the weak; Help all who Your pardon sue, Placing all their trust in You: Fill them with Your healing grace! Source of all we have or know, Feed and lead us here below. Grant that with Your Saints above, Sitting at the feast of love We may see You face to face. Amen. Alleluia. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Sacrum Convivium---- ----O Sacred Banquet---- O Sacrum Convivium is a traditional prayer honoring the Blessed Sacrament. What appears below is more than just O Sacrum Convivium. The prayer has been appended here with a response and final prayer making it a fit meditation of the Eucharistic mystery. A partial indulgence is attached to O Sacrum Convivium. O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur: recolitur memoria passionis eius; mens impletur gratia et furturae gloriae nobis pignus datur. V. Panem de caelo praestitisti eis; R. Omnem delectamentum in se habentem. Oremus; Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili Passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti; tribue, quaesumus, ita nos Corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Tempore paschali sequens dicitur oratio; Oremus; Spiritum nobis, Domine tuae caritatis infunde, ut, quos Sacramentis paschalibus satiasti, tua facias pietate concordes. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti Deus per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory given to us. V. Thou didst give them bread from heaven; R. Containing in itself all sweetness. Let us pray; O God, who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy Redemption: Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. In Paschaltide the following is said: Let us pray; Pour upon us, O Lord, the Spirit of Thy love, to make us of one heart, whom, by Thy tender mercy, Thou hast filled with the paschal sacrament. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Salutaris Hostia---- ----O Saving Victim---- O Salutaris Hostia is from the last two verses of Verbum Supernum. one of the five Eucharistic Hymns written by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) at the request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) when the Pope first instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. The prayer is still used today, often at exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. O salutaris Hostia Quae coeli pandis ostium. Bella premunt hostilia; Da robur, fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria: Qui vitam sine termino, Nobis donet in patria. Amen. --------------------- O Saving Victim opening wide The gate of heaven to all below. Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. To Thy great name be endless praise Immortal Godhead, One in Three; Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with Thee. Amen. (tr. E Casawall) -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Pange Lingua---- ----Sing, My Tongue---- There are two Pange Linguas in use, one by Venantius Fortunatus and then this one, by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225- 1274). This is one of the Eucharistic Hymns composed by him for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. It is also used on Holy Thursday and at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament where the last two stanzas make up the Tantum Ergo that is used. The rhythm of the Pange Lingua is said to have come down from a marching song of Caesar's Legions: "Ecce, Caesar nunc triumphat qui subgegit Gallias." Pange lingua gloriosi Corporis mysterium, Sanguinisque pretiosi, Quem in mundi pretium Fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit Gentium. Nobis datus, nobis natus Ex inacta Virgine, Et in mundo conversatus, Sparso verbi semine, Sui moras incolatus Miro clausit ordine. In suprema nocte coenae Recumbus cum fratribus Observata lege plene Cibis in legalibus, Cibum turbae duodenae Se dat suis manibus. Verbum caro, panem verum Verbo carnem efficit: Fitque sanguis Christi merum, Et si sensus deficit, Ad firmandum cor sincerum Sola fides sufficit. Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et jubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Alleluia. --------------------- Sing, my tongue, The mystery of the glorious body, And of the precious Blood, Shed to save the world, By the King of the nations, The fruit of a noble womb. Given to us, born for us, >From a stainless Virgin, And having dwelt in the world, Sowing the seed of the word, He closed in a wonderful way, The days of his habitation. On the night of His last supper, Reclining with His brothers, The law having been fully observed With legal foods, He gives Himself as food with His Own hands to the twelve. The Word in Flesh makes true Bread His Flesh with a word; Wine becomes the Blood of Christ, And if sense is deficient, To confirm sincere hearts, Faith alone suffices. Then let us prostrate and Venerate so great a Sacrament, And let the old law yield To the new rite; Let faith stand forward to Supply the defect of the senses. To the Begetter and the Begotten, Be praise and jubilation, Health, honor, and strength, And blessing too, And let equal praise be to Him, Who proceeds from Both. Amen. Alleluia. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Sacris Solemniis---- ----At This Our Solemn Feast---- This is one of the five beautiful hymns St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264). Pope Urban IV made the request when he first instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. Today Sacris Solemniis is used as a hymn at Matins on Corpus Christi. The last two stanzas are the text for the hymn Panis Angelicus. Sacris solemniis iuncta sint gaudia, Et ex praecordiis sonent praeconia; Recedant vetera, nova sint omnia, Corda, voces, et opera. Noctis recolitur cena novissima, Qua Christus creditur agnum et azyma Dedisse fratribus, iuxta legitima Priscis indulta patribus. Post agnum typicum, expletis epulis, Corpus Dominicum datum discipulis, Sic totum omnibus, quod totum singulis, Eius fatemur manibus. Dedit fragilibus corporis ferculum, Dedit et tristibus sanguinis poculum, Dicens: Accipite quod trado vasculum; Omnes ex eo bibite. Sic sacrificium istud instituit, Cuius officium committi voluit Solis presbyteris, quibus sic congruit, Ut sumant, et dent ceteris. Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; Dat panis caelicus figuris terminum; O res mirabilis: manducat Dominum Pauper, servus et humilis. Te, trina Deitas unaque, poscimus: Sic nos tu visita, sicute te colimus; Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, Ad lucem quam inhabitas. Amen. --------------------- At this our solemn feast Let holy joys abound, And from the inmost breast Let songs of praise resound; Let ancient rites depart, And all be new around, In every act, and voice, and heart. Remember we that eve, When, the Last Supper spread, Christ, as we all believe, The Lamb, with leavenless bread, Among His brethren shared, And thus the Law obeyed, Of all unto their sire declared. The typic Lamb consumed, The legal Feast complete, The Lord unto the Twelve His Body gave to eat; The whole to all, no less The whole to each did mete With His own hands, as we confess. He gave them, weak and frail, His Flesh, their Food to be; On them, downcast and sad, His Blood bestowed He: And thus to them He spake, "Receive this Cup from Me, And all of you of this partake." So He this Sacrifice To institute did will, And charged His priests alone That office to fulfill: In them He did confide: To whom it pertains still To take, and the rest divide. Thus Angels' Bread is made The Living Bread for us today: The Living Bread from heaven With figures does away: O wondrous gift indeed! The poor and lowly may Upon their Lord and Master feed. You, therefore, we implore, O Godhead, One in Three, So may You visit us Who worship You with glee; And lead us on Your way, That we at last may see Where You dwell in Eternal Day. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Tantum Ergo---- ----Down in Adoration Falling---- Tantum Ergo is the last two stanzas from the Eucharistic Prayer (Pange Lingua) composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The response and the prayer at the end is a later addition used at Benediction. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it and a plenary indulgence is granted to those who recite it on Holy Thursday or Corpus Christi. Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et iubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. V. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis. (T.P. Alleluia) R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem. (T.P. Alleluia) Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. --------------------- Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail, Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen. R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven (P.T. Alleluia). V. Having within it all sweetness (P.T. Alleluia). Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Verbum Supernum---- ----The Word of God---- Verbum Supernum was written by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to Verbum Supernum, St. Thomas also wrote Adoro Te Devote, Lauda Sion, Pange Lingua, and Sacris Solemniis at the specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) for the then newly instituted Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. It is used as a hymn at Lauds (Morning Prayer) on Corpus Christi. The last two stanzas are the text for the hymn O Salutaris Hostia. Verbum supernum prodiens, Nec Patris linquens dexteram, Ad opus suum exiens, Venit ad vitae vesperam. In mortem a discipulo Suis tradendus aemulis, Prius in vitae ferculo Se tradidit discipulis. Quibus sub bina specie Carnem dedit et sanguinem; Ut duplicis substantiae Totum cibaret hominem. Se nascens dedit socium, Convescens in edulium, Se moriens in pretium, Se regnans dat in praemium. O salutaris hostia, Quae caeli pandis ostium, Bella premunt hostilia; Da robur, fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria: Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. Amen. The Word of God proceeding forth, Yet not leaving the Father's side, Went forth upon His work on earth And reached at length life's eventide. By false disciple to be given To foemen for His Blood athirst, Himself, the living Bread from heaven, He gave to His disciples first. To them He gave, in twofold kind, His very Flesh, His very Blood: Of twofold substance are we made, And He would freely be our Food. By birth our fellowman was He, Our Food while seated at the board; He died, our ransomer to be; He ever reigns, our great reward. O saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heaven to all us below: Our foes press on from every side; Your aid supply, Your strength bestow. To Your great Name be endless praise, Immortal Godhead, One in Three! O grant us endless length of days With You in our true country. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Daily Prayer Cycle -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Morning Prayer -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- . ----Iam Lucis Orto Sidere---- ----Star of Light Now Having Risen--- - Iam lucis orto sidere, Deum precemur supplices, Ut in diurnis actibus Nos servet a nocentibus. Linguam refraenans temperer, Ne litis horror insonet, Visum fovendo contegat, Ne vanitates hauriat. Sint pura cordis intima, Absistat et vecordia: Carnis terat superbiam Potus cibique parcitas. Ut cum dies abcesserit, Noctemque sors reduxerit, Mundi per abstinentiam Ipsi canamus gloriam. Deo Patri sit gloria, Eiusque soli Filio, Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen. --------------------- The star of light now having risen, Let us, suppliants, pray God That in our daily acts He may preserve us from harms. May He temper the tongue, Lest the horror of quarrel resound, May He by cherishing, veil our sight Lest it draw in vanities. Inmost places of the heart be pure, May folly stand away, May scarcity of food and drink, Wear down the pride of the flesh. So that when the day is done, And fate brought back the night, Clean through abstinence, We may sing His glory. To God the Father glory be, And to His only Son, With the Spirit Paraclete, Now and through all of the ages. Amen. >From the Breviary. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Benedictus---- ----Canticle of Zechariah---- The Benedictus, or Canticle of Zechariah, is taken from Scripture (Luke 1: 68-79) and is the prayer recited by Zechariah at the birth of John the Baptist. It has been an important part of the Church's Liturgy from the earliest times. Today it is part of the hour of Lauds in the Divine Office. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, Quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae: Et erexit cornu salutis nobis In domo David pueri sui. Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum, Qui a saeculo sunt, prophetarum eius Salutem ex inimicis nostris, Et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos: Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris: Et memorari testamenti sui sancti. Iusiurandum, quod iuravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum, Daturum se nobis; Ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati, Serviamus illi. In sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso, Omnibus diebus nostris. Et tu puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: Praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias eius: Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius: In remissionem peccatorum eorum: Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: In quibus visitavit nos, oriens ex alto: Illuminare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: Ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis. Amen. --------------------- Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel: He has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of His servant David. Through His holy Prophets He promised us of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy Covenant. This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Dirigere et sanctificare---- ----O Lord God---- This prayer was formerly recited at the office of Prime in the Liturgy of the Hours. It comes from the early centuries of our faith. Dirigere et sanctificare, regere et gubernare dignare, Domine Deus, Rex caeli et terrae, hodie corda et corpora nostra, sensus, sermones et actus nostros in lege tua et in operibus mandatorum tuorum; ut hic et in aeternum, te auxiliante, salvi et liberi esse mereamur, Salvator mundi: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O Lord God, King of heaven and earth, may it please Thee this day to order and to hallow, to rule and to govern our hearts and our bodies, our thoughts, our words and our works, according to Thy law and in the doing of Thy commandments, that we, being helped by Thee, may here and hereafter worthily be saved and delivered by Thee, O Savior of the world, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Domine Deus omnipotens---- ----Lord, God Almighty---- This prayer was formerly recited at Prime in the Liturgy of the Hours. Today it is found at Lauds. A partial indulgence is attached to this prayer. Domine Deus omnipotens, qui ad principium huius diei nos pervenire fecisti; tua nos hodie salva virtute; ut hac die ad nullum declinemus peccatum, sed semper ad tuam iustitiam faciendam nostra procedant eloquia, dirigantur cogitationes et opera. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, God Almighty, Thou hast brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us today by Thy mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed, as to be always just in Thy sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Into Thy hands---- Written by St. Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury (1180- 1242) Into Thy hands, O Lord, into the hands of Thy holy Angels, I commit and entrust this day my soul, my relations, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all Thy Catholic people. Keep us, O Lord, through the day, by the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Thy Saints, from all vicious and unruly desires, from all sins and temptations of the devil, and from sudden and unprovided death and the pains of hell. Illuminate my heart with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit; grant that I may ever be obedient to Thy commandments; suffer me not to be separated from Thee, O God, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Mid-Day -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----The Angelus---- Originating in the 13th century, the Angelus has been highly popular since the 17th century. Pope Callistus III (1455-1458) commended it as a prayer for protection against the Turkish invasions of his time. More recently, Pope Paul VI wrote about it and Pope John Paul II holds a weekly noon time Angelus address at St. Peter's Square. The Angelus is traditionally recited kneeling while a bell is rung and at three particular times during the day; 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm. During Easter Season the Angelus is replaced by Regina Caeli, a practice first instituted in 1743. A partial indulgence is granted to those who devoutly recite it according to the time of the year. ---Outside the Pascal Season V. Angelus Domini, nuntiavit Mariae; R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. All: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. V. Ecce ancilla Domini. R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. All: Ave Maria, gratia plena,....... V. Et Verbum caro factum est. R. Et habitavit in nobis. All: Ave Maria, gratia plena,....... V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. ---Pascal Season Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia, R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam, perputuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. --------------------- ---Pascal Season V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. All: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. All: Hail Mary, full of grace, ..... V. And the Word was made flesh: R. And dwelt among us. All: Hail Mary, full of grace, ..... V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. --------Outside Pascal Season Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.. V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray: O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beg Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Domine Iesu Christe, Fili Dei Vivi---- ----Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God---- Domine Iesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui hora sexta pro redemptione mundi Crucis patibulum ascendisti et Sanguinem tuum pretiosum in remissionem peccatorum nostrorum fudisti; te humiliter deprecamur, ut post obitum nostrum paradisi ianuas nos gaudenter introire concedas: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who at the sixth hour didst mount the gibbet of the Cross for the redemption of the world and didst shed Thy Precious Blood for the remission of our sins, we humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst grant us the grace after death to enter with joy the gates of paradise. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. >From the Raccolta 213. From the Roman Missal. (S. P. Ap. July 18, 1936) -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Evening Prayer -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Conditor alme siderum---- ----Creator of the Stars of Night---- Anonymous text from the 7th century used at Vespers during Advent. Conditor alme siderum, aeterna lux credentium, Christe, redemptor omnium, exaudi preces supplicum. Qui condolens interitu mortis perire saeculum, salvasti mundum languidum, donans reis remedium, Vergente mundi vespere, uti sponsus de thalmo, egressus honestissima Virginis matris clausula. Cuius forti potentiae genu curvantur omnia; caelestia, terrestria nutu fatentur subdita. Te, Sancte, fide quaesumus, venture iudex saeculi, conserva nos in tempore hostis a telo perfidi. Sit, Christe, rex piissime, tibi Patrique gloria cum Spiritu Paraclito, in sempiterna saecula. Amen. --------------------- Creator of the stars of night, Your people's everlasting light, Jesus, Redeemer, save us all, And hear your servants when they call. Now, grieving that the ancient curse Should doom to death a universe, You heal all men who need your grace To save and heal a ruined race. At whose great name, majestic now, All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; All things in heaven and earth adore, And own thee King for evermore. To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Praise, honor, might, and glory be >From age to age eternally. (Translator J. M. Neal, 1818-1866) >From the Roman Breviary. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Magnificat---- ----Canticle of Mary---- The Magnificat has occupied an important place in the Liturgy of the Church since around the fourth century. The canticle is taken from the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55) where the events of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth are recorded. Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist at the time, greeted Mary with the well known phrase "Blessed art thou amongst women, blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus". To which Mary responded with the canticle. Today the Magnificat is used during Vespers every evening. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo, quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.Ecce enim ex hoc beatem me dicent omnes generationes, quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum.Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordi sui; deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles; esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes.Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae, sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula. Amen. --------------------- My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.He has come to the help of His servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. Amen. Liturgia Horarum/ ICEL Liturgy of the Hours. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Compline -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Te Lucis Ante Terminum---- ----Before the End of Light---- An old and venerable hymn for the close of day at Compline. Te lucis ante terminum, Rerum Creator, poscimus Ut pro tua clementia Sis praesul et custodia. Procul recedant somnia Et noctium phantasmata; Hostemque nostrum comprime, Ne polluantur corpora. Praesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen. --------------------- We ask You, Creator of things, Before the end of light, That for Your kindness, You may be Protector and Guard. May bad dreams and phantasms Of the night go far away: Restrain our enemy lest our Bodies should be polluted. Grant this most kind Father, And You, the Only and Equal Son, With the Spirit Paraclete, Reigning through all ages. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Nunc Dimittis---- ----Canticle of Simeon---- Nunc Dimittis is the prayer recited by Simeon at the presentation of Jesus at the temple. (Luke 2:29-31). This canticle has been used daily at Compline since the 4th century. Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, Secundum verbum tuum in pace: Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum, Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: Lumen ad revelationem gentium, Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. --------------------- Lord, now let Thy servant go in peace; Thy word has been fulfilled: My own eyes have seen the salvation which Thou hast prepared in the sight of every people: A light to reveal Thee to the nations and the glory of Thy people Israel. Liturgia Horarum, Liturgy of the Hours/ICEL -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Visita, quaesumus, Domine---- ----Visit, We Beg Thee, O Lord---- This prayer has been a traditional part of Compline probably since the fifth century or so. A partial indulgence is attached to this prayer from the Roman Breviary. Visita, quaesumus, Domine, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle: Angeli tui sancti habitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant; et benedictio tua sit super nos semper. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Visit, we beg you, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy Angles dwell herein, to keep us in peace; and let your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Jesus Christ, My God---- Written by St. Alphonsus M. de' Ligouri. Jesus Christ, my God, I adore Thee and thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast given me this day. I offer Thee my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I beseech Thee to keep me without sin. Wherefore I put myself within Thy sacred Side and under the mantle of our Lady, my Mother. Let Thy Holy Angles stand about me and keep me in peace; and let Thy blessing be upon me. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Blessed Virgin Mary -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Da nobis famulis tuis---- ----Grant unto us, Thy servants---- Da nobis famulis tuis, Domine Iesu Christe, beatae Mariae Virginis Matris tuae semper et ubique patrocinio protegi. Amen. --------------------- Grant unto us, Thy servants, O Lord Jesus Christ, to be protected at all times and in all places by the patronage of Blessed Mary, Thy Virgin Mother. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- The next four prayers, aside from the Hail Mary, are the four most popular Marian prayers. They are used in both private and public devotions. In particular they hold a prominent place in the Liturgy of the Hours as the final four concluding antiphons for Compline. Franciscans were apparently the first to introduce this prayer into the Liturgy and St. Bonaventure is credited with being the first to add them to the Office around 1274. ----Alma Redemptoris Mater---- ----Mother Benign of Our Redeeming Lord---- Alma Redemptoris Mater was composed by Herman Contractus (Herman the Cripple) (1013-1054). The prayer is composed of phrases taken from St. Fulgentius, St. Epiphanius, and St. Iranaeus. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer. Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, Nature mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. --------------------- Kind Mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, Star of the sea, assist your people Who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore Your holy Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, Have mercy on us poor sinners. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Ave Regina Caelorum---- ----Hail Queen of Heaven---- Ave Regina Caelorum is a popular Marian antiphon from around the 12th century. It appears to be of monastic origin and the author is unknown. Herman Contractus (+1054) is one suggested author in as much he wrote several popular Marian antiphons at that time. As testified by St. Jerome, the final two lines is a versicle composed by St. Ephrem. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer. Ave, Regina caelorum, Ave, Domina Angelorum: Salve, radix, salve, porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa, Vale, o valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos. --------------------- Hail, Queen of Heaven, Hail, Lady of Angels: Hail, root, hail door, >From which light is arisen to the world: Rejoice, glorious Virgin, Lovely above all, Hail, Oh most beautiful, And entreat Christ for us. Allow me to praise you, holy Virgin. Give me strength against your enemies. >From the Roman Breviary. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Regina Caeli---- ----Queen of Heaven---- The author of Regina Caeli is unknown, but by virtue of its presence (or absence) in manuscripts, it had to have been composed sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries, One possible author in that time period is Gregory V (+998). Perhaps the most interesting legend surrounding the prayer has it being composed, in part, by St. Gregory the Great. The legend has it that in the year 596, during Easter time, a pestilence was ravaging Rome. St. Gregory the Great requested a procession be held to pray that the pestilence be stopped. On the appointed day of the procession he assembled with his clergy at dawn at the church of Ara Coeli. Holding in his hand the icon of our Lady that was said to have been painted by St. Luke, he and his clergy started out in procession to St. Peter's. As he passed the Castle of Hadrian, as it was called in those days, voices were heard from above singing the Regina Caeli. The astonished Pope, enraptured with the angelic singing, replied in a loud voice: "Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia!" At that moment an angel appeard in a glorious light, sheathed the sword of pestalence in its scabbard, and from that day the pestillance ceased. In honor of this miraculous event, the name of the ! castle was then changed to San Ang elo and the words of the angelic hymn were inscribed upon the roof of the Church of Ara Coeli. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia, Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. --------------------- Queen of heaven rejoice. alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Salve Regina---- ----Hail Holy Queen---- The authorship of this prayer is uncertain. Adhemar de Monteil, Bishop of Le Puy (+1098) is one suggested author and Herman Contractus, who wrote a number of well known Marian hymns is another. The final three invocations were added by St. Bernard (1091-1153). The Chronicles of Spires tell us that the hymn originally ended with the word ostende. When St. Bernard was the Papal Legate in Germany, he heard the hymn being sung in the Church of Spires and he threw himself upon his knees. In a fit of sudden inspiration he rang out with the words of the last three invocations; O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. These three invocations have been repeated ever since. Four stones in the Church mark the place where the holy doctor knelt. This antiphon is said to be the most beautiful of the final four Marian Antiphons for Compline. It is said to be a favorite of our Lady herself. According to the testimony of several pious persons, she appeared to them when they said, "Et Iesum ... ostende". Another account relates a vision St. Dominic had. He was praying in the church until midnight. He was entering a corridor of the monastery to resume his midnight prayer vigil when he chanced to raise his eyes and see three beautiful ladies approach him. He knelt before the principle lady and she blessed him. Even though St. Dominic recognized her, he begged her to tell him her name. The lady replied, "I am she whom you invoke every evening: and when you say, "Eia ergo, advocata nostra, I prostrate myself before my Son, entreating Him to protect this Order." (From the "Life of St. Dominic, Lacordaire). St. Alphonsus comments upon the Salve Regina extensively in his Glories of Mary. Father Taunton says: "Its fragrance lingers over our soul when, at the end of a long day, or at the end of any Hour, we place our prayers in Mary's hands, that she, the pure and glorious one, may offer them with all the power of a Mother's love to her God, to that Son, the blessed Fruit of her womb. Our prayers coming through her hands will be doubly acceptable to her Son, and we shall be the sooner heard for the reverence He has for His Mother". Today it is one of the Final Marian Antiphons that conclude Compline in the Divine Office. Franciscans were apparently the first to introduce this prayer into the Liturgy. St. Bonaventure is credited with being the first to add it to the Office in about 1274. It is also used in conjunction with the Rosary. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this prayer. Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae: vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria. Amen. --------------------- Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Ave Maria, Sequentia---- ----Hail Mary, Sequence---- The Ave Maria Sequence is an expansion of the shorter Ave Maria everyone is familiar with. It is a very famous Gregorian Chant written in the Middle Ages. Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum, Virgo serena. Benedicta tu in mulieribus: Quae peperisti pacem hominibus. Et Angelis gloriam. Et benedictus fructus ventris tui: Qui cohaeredes ut essemus sui: Nos fecit per gratiam. Per hoc autem Ave, Mundo tam suave. Contra carnis iura: Genuisti prolem, Novum stella solem, Nova genitura. Tu parvi et magni, Leonis et Agni, Salvatoris Christi Templum exstitisti, Sed virgo intacta. Tu floris et roris, Panis et pastoris, Virginum regina, Rosa sine spina, Genetrix es facta. Tu civitas Regis iustitiae. Tu mater es misericordiae: De lacu faecis et miseriae, Paenitentem reformans gratiae. Te collaudat caelestis curia. Tibi nostra favent obsequia; Per te reis donatur venia: Per te iustis confertur gratia. Ergo maris stella, Verbi Dei cella, Et solis aurora: Paradisi porta, Per quam lux est orta, Natum tuum ora: Ut nos solvat a peccatis. Et in regno claritatis. Quo lux lucet sedula. Collocet per saecula. --------------------- Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee, serene Virgin. Blessed art thou amongst women, Thou hast brought forth the peace of men And the glory of the angels. And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, He who has made us co-heirs With Him by His grace. Through that, "Ave", So sweet to the world, Against the laws of flesh, Thou hast borne a Son, A new star giving birth to a new sun. Without losing thy virginity, Thou becamest the temple of Him Who is both small and great, And Lion and Lamb, Christ the Saviour. Thou, queen of virgins, A rose without thorns, Hast given birth To the flower and the dew, The true Bread of Life and Good Sheperd. Thou art the city of the King of justice, Thou art the mother of mercy; >From the depth of sin and wretchedness, Thou restoreth the penitent to grace. The heavenly court acclaims thee, Our homages surrounds thee: Through thee, the guilty are forgiven, Through thee, grace is given to the just. Therefore, star of the sea, Dwelling place of the Word of God, Dawn that announces the sun, Gate of paradise, >From which the light has risen, Pray to thy Son: That He may deliver us from our sins And gather us forever In thy glorious kingdom Where unending light shines. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Ave Maris Stella---- ----Hail Star of Ocean---- Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn dating at least back to the 9th century. Its exact origins are unknown, but it dates at least from the 9th century for it is preserved in a 9th century manuscript now in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. It is frequently attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and has been attributed to King Robert (1031), both of whom are too late to have authored it. It has also been attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (+609). It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. Ave maris stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper Virgo, Felix caeli porta. Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, Funda nos in pace, Mutans Hevae nomen. Solve vincula reis, Profer lumen caecis Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce. Monstra te esse matrem: Sumat per te preces, Qui pro nobis natus, Tulit esse tuus. Virgo singularis, Inter omnes mites, Nos culpis solutos, Mites fac et castos. Vitam praesta puram, Iter para tuum: Ut videntes lesum Semper collaetemur. Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, Tribus honor unus. Amen. --------------------- Hail, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heav'nly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eve's name. Break the sinners' fetters, Make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, For all blessings pray. Show thyself a Mother, May the Word divine Born for us thine infant Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Free from guilt preserve us Meek and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure Till we find in Jesus, Joy for evermore. Praise to God the Father, Honor to the Son, In the Holy Spirit, Be the glory one. Amen. >From the Liturgia Horarum. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Concede nos famulos tuos---- ----Grant Unto Us, Thy Servants---- >From the Roman Missal, common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the common in Liturgy of the Hours. Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere; et, gloriosa beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia et aeterna perfrui laetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Immaculata Mater Dei---- ----Immaculate Mother of God---- Written by St. Vincent Pallotti (1798-1850), founder of the Pallotines. Immaculata Mater Dei, Regina caelorum, Mater misericordiae, advocata et refugium peccatorum, ecce ego illuminatus et incitatus gratiis, a te materna benevolentia large mihi impetratis ex thesauro divino, statuo nunc et semper dare in manus tuas cor meum Iesu consecrandum. Tibi igitur, beatissima Virgo, coram novem choris Angelorum cunctisque Sanctis illud trado, Tu autem, meo nomine, Iesu id consecra; et ex fiducia filiali, quam profiteor, certum mihi est te nunc et semper quantum poteris esse facturum, ut cor meum iugiter totum sit Iesu, imitans perfectissime Sanctos, praesertim sanctum Ioseph, Sponsum tuum purissimum. Amen. --------------------- Immaculate Mother of God, Queen of heaven, Mother of mercy, Advocate and Refuge of sinners, behold, I, enlightened and inspired by the graces obtained for me abundantly from the divine treasury through thy maternal affection, resolve this day and always to place my heart into thy hands to be consecrated to Jesus. To thee, therefore, most Blessed Virgin, in the presence of nine choirs of Angles and all the Saints, I now give it. Do thou, in my name, consecrate it to Jesus; and out of the filial confidence which I hereby make profession of, I am certain that now and always thou wilt do all thou canst to bring it to pass that my heart may ever wholly belong to Jesus, and may imitate perfectly the example of the Saints, and in particular that of Saint Joseph, thy most pure Spouse. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Litania Loreti---- ----Litany of Loreto---- The Litany of Loreto is used to honor Mary, the Mother of God. The Litany is used during May services, Benediction, and in the Divine Office by some congregations. It carries with it a partial indulgence. The Litany owes many of its praises to the Greek Akathist Hymn, first translated in Venice into Latin around the year 800. The other titles and praises addressed to Mary are found extensively in the writings of the early Church Fathers of the first six centuries. The Litany was first composed most likely in or around Paris between the years 1150 and 1200. It got its name from the Italian shrine (Loreto) were it was adpoted in 1558. Pope Sixtus V approved its use in public worship in 1587. At one time, the Litany was longer than its present form. There were an additional 15 or so more invocations (Our Lady of Humility, Mother of Mercy, Temple of the Spirit, Gate of Redemption, Queen of Disciples) that have been dropped over time giving us our present form. Leader Congregation, Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trintitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Sancta Dei Genitrix, ora pro nobis. Sancta Virgo virginum, ora pro nobis. Mater Christi, ora pro nobis. Mater Divinae gratiae, ora pro nobis. Mater purissima, ora pro nobis. Mater castissima, ora pro nobis. Mater inviolata, ora pro nobis. Mater intemerata, ora pro nobis. Mater amabilis, ora pro nobis. Mater admirabilis, ora pro nobis. Mater boni consilii, ora pro nobis. Mater Creatoris, ora pro nobis. Mater Salvatoris, ora pro nobis. Virgo prudentissima, ora pro nobis. Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis. Virgo praedicanda, ora pro nobis. Virgo potens, ora pro nobis. Virgo clemens, ora pro nobis. Virgo fidelis, ora pro nobis. Speculum iustitae, ora pro nobis. Sedes sapientiae, ora pro nobis. Causa nostrae laetitiae, ora pro nobis. Vas spirituale, ora pro nobis. Vas honorabile, ora pro nobis. Vas insigne devotionis, ora pro nobis. Rosa mystica, ora pro nobis. Turris Davidica, ora pro nobis. Turris eburnea, ora pro nobis. Domus aurea, ora pro nobis. Foederis arca, ora pro nobis. Ianua caeli, ora pro nobis. Stella matutina, ora pro nobis. Salus infirmorum, ora pro nobis. Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis. Consolatrix afflictorum, ora pro nobis. Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Angelorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Patriarcharum, ora pro nobis. Regina Prophetarum, ora pro nobis. Regina Apostolorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Martyrum, ora pro nobis. Regina Confessorum, ora pro nobis. Regina Virginum, ora pro nobis. Regina Sanctorum omnium, ora pro nobis. Regina sine labe originali concepta, ora pro nobis. Regina in caelum assumpta, ora pro nobis. Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii, ora pro nobis. Regina pacis, ora pro nobis. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nobis, Domine. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix, ut digni efficamur promisionibus Christi. Oremus: Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercessione, a praesente liberati tristitia, et aeterna perfui laetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of divine grace, pray for us. Mother most pure, pray for us. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Mother undefiled, pray for us. Mother most amiable, pray for us. Mother most admirable, pray for us. Mother of good counsel, pray for us. Mother of our Creator, pray for us. Mother of our Saviour, pray for us. Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Virgin most venerable, pray for us. Virgin most renowned, pray for us. Virgin most powerful, pray for us. Virgin most merciful, pray for us. Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Vessel of honor, pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. Mystical rose, pray for us. Tower of David, pray for us. Tower of ivory, pray for us. House of gold, pray for us. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us. Morning star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of Angels, pray for us. Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us. Queen of Prophets, pray for us. Queen of Apostles, pray for us. Queen of Martyrs, pray for us. Queen of Confessors, pray for us. Queen of Virgins, pray for us. Queen of all Saints, pray for us. Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Queen of Peace, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us Pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria---- ----Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary---- The Memorare was written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090- 1153), Confessor, Abbot, and Doctor of the Church. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Memorare. Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquem ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxillia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen. --------------------- Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Memorare, o Domina Nostra a Sacro Corde---- ----Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart---- Memorare, o Domina Nostra a Sacro Corde, quam ineffabilem tibi potentiam Filius tuus divinus contulerit in suum ipsius Cor adorabile. Pleni nos fiduciae in meritis tuis, accedimus implorantes tuum praesidium. O Cordis Iesu Thesauraria caelestis, illius Cordis, fontis inexhausti gratiarum omnium, quod potes ispa pro tua voluntate recludere, ut defluant inde in homines divitiae amoris et misericordiae, luminis et salutis, quae in ipso continentur; concede nobis, obsecramus, beneficia quae petimus ... Nulla nobis, nulla a te erit repulsa, et, quoniam Mater Tu nostra es, o Domina Nostra a Sacro Corde, preces nostras benigne habe et benigne exaudi. Amen. --------------------- Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy divine Son hath given thee over His own adorable Heart. Filled with confidence in thy merits, we come before thee and implore thy protection. O heavenly Treasurer of the Heart of Jesus, that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces, which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that from it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and salvation, that are contained therein; grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favors which we seek ... We can never, never be refused by thee, and since thou art Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously receive our prayers and grant our request. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Beata Virgo Maria---- ----O Blessed Virgin Mary---- Written by St. Augustine(354-430). O beata Virgo Maria, quis tibi digne valeat iura gratiarum ac laudum preaconia rependere, quae singulari tuo assensu, mundo succurristi perdito? Quas tibi laudes fragilitas humani generis persolvat, quae solo tuo commercio recuperandi aditum invenit? Accipe itaque quascumque exiles, quascumque meritis tuis impares gratiarum actiones, et cum susceperis vota, culpas nostras orando excusa. Admitte nostras preces intra sacrarium exauditionis et reporta nobis antidotum reconcilliationis. Sit per te excusabile quod per te ingerimus; fiat impetrabile quod fida mente poscimus. Accipe quod offerimus, redona quod rogamus, excusa quod timemus, quia Tu es spes unica peccatorum. Per te speramus veniam delictorum et in te, beatissima, nostrorum est expectatio praemiorum. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris; iuva pusillanimes; refove flebiles; ora pro populo; interveni pro clero; intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum iuvamen, quicumque celebrant tuam sanctam commemorationem. Assite parata votis poscentium et reporta nobis optatum effectum. Sint tibi studia assidua orare pro populo Dei, quae meruisti, benedicta, Redemptorem ferre mundi, qui vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay thee thy just dues of praise and thanksgiving, thou who by the wondrous assent of thy will didst rescue a fallen world? What songs of praise can our weak human nature recite in thy honor, since it is by thy intervention alone that it has found the way to restoration? Accept, then, such poor thanks as we have here to offer, though they be unequal to thy merits; and, receiving our vows, obtain by thy prayers the remission of our offenses. Carry thou our prayers within the sanctuary of the heavenly audience, and bring forth from it the antidote of our reconciliation. May the sins we bring before Almighty God through thee, become pardonable through thee; may what we ask for with sure confidence, through thee be granted. Take our offering, grant us our requests, obtain pardon for what we fear, for thou art the sole hope of sinners. Through thee we hope for the remission of our sins, and in thee, O blessed Lady, is our hope of reword. Holy Mary, succor the miserable, help the fainthearted, comfort the sorrowful, pray for thy people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God; may all who keep thy holy commemoration feel now thy help and protection. Be thou ever ready to assist us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it thy continual care to pray for the people of God, thou who, blessed by God, didst merit to bear the Redeemer of the world, who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Domina mea, Sancta Maria---- ----O Holy Mary, my Mistress---- Written by St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591). O Domina mea, sancta Maria, me in tuam benedictam fidem ac singularem custodiam et in sinum misericordiae tuae, hodie et quotidie et in hora exitus mei animam meam et corpus meum tibi commendo: omnem spem et consolationem meam, omnes angustias et miserias meas, vitam et finem vitae meae tibi committo, ut per tuam sanctissimam intercessionem et per tua merita, omnia mea dirigantur et disponantur opera secundum tuam tuique Filii voluntatem. Amen. --------------------- O holy Mary, my Mistress, into thy blessed trust and special keeping, into the bosom of thy tender mercy, this day, every day of my life and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body; to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits, all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Gloriosa Virginum---- ----O Queen of all the Virgin Choir---- Composed by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609), the Bishop of Poitiers. It was a favorite of St. Anthony of Padua. Tradition has it that it was sung by St. Anthony's mother when he was an infant. Later in life, it was constantly on his lips and he sang it at his death. It was used in the past as the hymn for Lauds in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. O GLORIOSA Virginum, Sublimis inter sidera; Qui te creavit, parvulum Lactente nutris ubere. Quod Heva tristis abstulit, Tu reddis almo germine; Intrent ut astra flebiles, Coeli recludis cardines. Tu Regis alti ianua, Et aula lucis fulgida: Vitam datam per Virginem, Gentes redemptae, plaudite. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virigine, Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen. --------------------- O QUEEN of all the virgin choir! Enthron'd above the starry sky! Who with thy bosom's milk didst feed Thy own Creator, Lord most high. What man had lost in hapless Eve, Thy sacred womb to man restores, Thou to the wretched here beneath Hast open'd Heaven eternal doors. Hail, O refulgent Hall of light! Hail Gate august of Heaven's high King! Through Thee redeem'd to endless life, Thy praise let all the nations sing. O Iesu! born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----O Pura et Immaculata---- ----O Pure and Immaculate---- Written by St. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373). St. Ephrem is especially noted for his Marian Hymns which are an important source of Catholic Dogma. Pope Benedict XV officially declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1920. O pura et immaculata, eademque benedicta Virgo, magni Filii tui universorum Domini Mater inculpata, integra et sacrosanctissima, desperantium atque reorum spes, te collaudamus. Tibi ut gratia plenissimae benedicimus, quae Christum genuisti Deum et Hominem: omnes coram te prosternimur: omnes te invocamus et auxilium tuum imploramus. Eripe nos, o Virgo sancta atque intemerata, a quaecumque ingruente necessitate et a cunctis tentationibus diaboli. Nostra conciliatrix et advocata in hora mortis atque iudicii esto: nosque a futuro inexstinguibili igne et a tenebris exterioribus libera: et Filii tui nos gloria dignare, o Virgo et Mater dulcissima ac clementissima. Tu siquidem unica spes nostra es securissima et sanctissima apud Deum, cui gloria et honor, decus atque imperium in sempiterna saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, O holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and form the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope most sure and sacred in God's sight, to Whom be honor and glory and majesty and dominion for ever and ever world without end. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio Sancti Sophronii ad Benedictam Virginem Mariam---- ----Prayer of St. Sophronius to the Blessed Virgin Mary- --- This prayer is taken from the writings of St. Sophronius(c. 560-638), Patriarch of Jerusalem. The prayer here appears in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in the second reading for Matins from the common of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy of the Hours. Vere benedicta tu in mulieribus, quoniam Evae maledictionem in benedictionem commutasti; quoniam Adam, qui prius iacebat exsecratione perculsus, ut per te benediceretur, effecisti. Vere benedicta tu in mulieribus, quoniam benedictio Patris per te affulsit hominibus, eosque a vetere maledicto liberavit. Vere benedicta tu in mulieribus, quia per te progenitores tui salutem inveniunt; tu siquidem genitura es Servatorem, qui divinam ipsis salutem comparabit. Vere benedicta tu in mulieribus, quoniam sine semine eum protulisti fructum, qui benedictionem terrarum orbi elargitur, ipsumque a maledictione spinas germinante redimit. Vere benedicta tu in mulieribus, quia, mulier naturali condicione cum sis, Dei tamen Genitrix reispa fies. Etenim si qui ex te nasciturus est, secundum veritatem, Deus est incarnatus, ipsa iure meritoque diceris Deipara, quippe quae Deum verissime paris. Amen. --------------------- Truly, thou art blessed among women. For thou hast changed Eve's curse into a blessing; and Adam, who hitherto lay under a curse, has been blessed because of thee. Truly, thou art blessed among women. Through thee the Father's blessing has shone forth on mankind, setting them free of their ancient curse. Truly, thou art blessed among women, because through thee thy forebears have found salvation. For thou wert to give birth to the Savior who was to win them salvation. Truly, thou art blessed among women, for without seed thou hast borne, as thy fruit, Him who bestows blessings on the whole world and redeems it from that curse that made it sprout horns. Truly, thou art blessed among women, because, though a woman by nature, thou wilt become, in reality, God's mother. If He whom thou art to bear is truly God made flesh, then rightly do we call thee God's mother. For thou hast truly given birth to God. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Quem terra, pontus, aethera---- ----The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky---- This hymn was composed by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609), the Bishop of Poitiers. It has been an important part of the devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy and appears in medieval Books of the Hours which contain the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today it is recited on Friday Lauds and daily at Matins for the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also the hymn in the Breviary for Matins in the common of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Quem terra, pontus, aethera*, Colunt, adorant, praedicant, Trinam regentem machinam Claustrum Mariae baiulat. Cui Luna, Sol, et omnia Deserviunt per tempora, Perfusa coeli gratia, Gestant Puellae viscera. Beata Mater, munere, Cuius supernus Artifex, Mundum pugillo continens, Ventris sub arca clausus est. Beata coeli nuntio, Fecunda Sancto Spiritu, Desideratus Gentibus, Cuius per alvum fusus est. Iesu, Tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virigine, Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen. --------------------- The God whom earth, and sea, and sky Adore, and laud, and magnify, Who o'er their threefold system reigns, The Virgin Mary's womb contains. The God whose will by moon, and sun, And all things in due course is done, Is borne upon a Maiden's breast, By fullest heavenly grace possessed. How blest that Mother, in whose shrine The great Artificer Divine, Whose hand contains the earth and sky, Vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie. Blest, in the message Gabriel brought; Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought; >From whom the great Desire of earth Took human flesh and human birth. To Thee be sung eternal praise, O Virgin-born, through endless days; Whom with the Father we adore, And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris---- ----Holy Mary, be Thou a Help to the Helpless---- A partial indulgece is attached to this prayer from the old Roman Breviary. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, iuva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum iuvamen, quicumque celebrant tuam sanctam commemorationem. Amen. --------------------- Holy Mary, be thou a help to the helpless, strength to the fearful, comfort to the sorrowful, pray for the people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all holy women consecrated to God; may all who keep thy sacred commemoration feel the might of thine assistance. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Sanctissima Virgo de Coenaculo---- ----Our Lady of the Cenacle---- Sanctissima Virgo de Coenaculo, Mater nostra, immaculata Maria, impetra nobis, humiliter deprecamur, Spiritus Sancti dona, ut in caritate viventes et in oratio unanimiter perservantes, duce te et magistra, ad maiorem Dei gloriam, exemplo et opere animarum saluti adlaborare et ad vitam ingredi mereamur aeternum. Adsis propitia, nostra Domina de Coenaculo, in praesenti necessitate et tua nos virtute succurre, ut eam, quam enixe rogamus, gratiam omnipotens et misericors Deus tuis precibus indulgere dignetur. Amen. --------------------- Most Holy Virgin of the Cenacle, our Mother, Mary immaculate, obtain for us, we humbly pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that we may live in charity and persevere with one accord in prayer, under thy guidance and teaching, to the greater glory of God, and that we may labor both by word and deed for the salvation of souls and may deserve to enter into everlasting life. Graciously be near us, O our Lady of the Cenacle, in our present needs, and succor us by thy power, that Almighty God may be pleased to grant us, through thy pleading, the favor we earnestly pray. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Stabat Mater---- ----At the Cross Her Station Keeping- --- Stabat Mater is thought to have originated in the 13th or 14th century during the peak of Franciscan devotion to the crucified Jesus. It has been attributed to Pope Innocent II (d. 1216), St. Bonaventure, or more commonly Jacopone da Todi (d. 1306). In 1727 it was prescribed as a Sequence for the Mass of the Seven Sorrows of Mary (September 15) where it is still used today. In addition to the Mass for this Memorial, it is the hymn for Matins, Lauds, and Vespers. Stabat Mater is also frequently associated with devotions of the Stations of the Cross. Stabat Mater dolorosa Iuxta Crucem lacrimosa, Dum pendebat Filius. Cuius animam gementem, Constristatam et dolentem Pertransivit gladius. O, quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta, Mater Unigeniti! Quae maerebat et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat Nati poenas inclyti. Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio? Quis non posset contristari Christi Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio? Pro peccatis suae gentis Vidit Iesum in tormentis, Et flagellis subditum. Vidit suum dulcem Natum Moriendo desolatum, Dum emisit spiritum. Eia, Mater, fons amoris Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum In amando Christum Deum Ut sibi complaceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide. Tui Nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Poenas mecum divide. Fac me tecum pie flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero. Iuxta Crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociare In planctu desidero. Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi iam non sis amara, Fac me tecum plangere. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem, Passionis fac consortem, Et plagas recolere. Fac me plagis vulnerari, Fac me Cruce inebriari, Et cruore Filii. Flammis ne urar succensus, Per te, Virgo, sim defensus In die iudicii. Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Da per Matrem me venire Ad palmam victoriae. Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animae donetur Paradisi gloria. Amen. --------------------- At the Cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Lo! the piercing sword has passed. O how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother, highly blessed, Of the sole-begotten One. Woe-begotten with heart's prostration, Mother meek, the bitter Passion Saw she of her glorious Son. Who on Christ's dear Mother gazing, In her trouble so amazing, Born of woman, would not weep? Who on Christ's dear Mother thinking, Such a cup of sorrow drinking, Would not share her sorrow deep? For His people's sins rejected, Saw her Jesus unprotected, Saw with thorns, with scourges rent: Saw her Son from judgment taken, Her Beloved in death forsaken, Till His spirit forth He sent. Fount of love and holy sorrow, Mother! may my spirit borrow Somewhat of thy woe profound; Unto Christ, with pure emotion, Raise my contrite heart's devotion, Love to read in every wound. Those five wounds on Jesus smitten, Mother! in my heart be written, Deep as in thine own they be; Thou, thy Savior's Cross who bearest, Thou, thy Son's rebuke who sharest. Let me share them both with thee. In the Passion of my Maker, Be my sinful soul partaker, Weep till death and weep with thee; Mime with thee be that sad station, There to watch the great salvation, Wrought upon the atoning tree. Virgin, thou of virgins fairest, May thy bitter woe thou bearest, Make on me impression deep. Thus Christ's dying may I carry, With Him in His Passion tarry, And His wounds in memory keep. May His wound both wound and heal me, He enkindle, cleanse anneal me, Be His Cross my hope and stay. May He when the mountains quiver, >From that flame which burns for ever, Shield me on the judgment day. Jesus, may Thy Cross defend me, And Thy Mother's prayer befriend me, Let me die in Thy embrace; When to dust my dust returneth, Grant a soul that to Thee yearneth, In Thy paradise a place. Amen. (tr. cento) -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Sub Tuum Praesidium---- ----We Fly to Thy Patronage---- An ancient prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which the oldest known version was found on an Egyptian papyrus from the 3rd century. This prayer is used in Litanies to the Blessed Mother and as a concluding prayer to Compline. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. Sub tuum praesidium, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necesitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. --------------------- We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not thou our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Tota pulchra es, Maria---- ----Thou Art All Fair, O Mary---- Tota pulchra es, Maria, Et macula originalis non est in te. Tu gloria Ierusalem, Tu laetitia Israel, Tu honorificentia populi nosti, Tu advocata peccatorum. O Maria, O Maria, Virgo prudentissima, Mater clementissima, Ora pro nobis, Intercede pro nobis ad Dominum Iesum Christum. Amen. --------------------- Thou art all fair, O Mary, The original stain is not in thee. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, Thou, the joy of Israel, Thou, the great honor of our people Thou, the advocate of sinners. O Mary, O Mary, Virgin most prudent, Mother most merciful, Pray for us, Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Angels -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Angele Dei---- ----Angel of God---- Angele Dei, also know as the Prayer to One's Guardian Angel, carries a partial indulgence. Guardian Angels defend those to whom they have been charged to protect against the assaults of demons to preserve their charges from sin. October 2 is the memorial to the Guardian Angels. Angele Dei, qui custos est mihi, me tibi commissum pietate superna; (hac nocte, hodie) illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen. --------------------- Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom his love commits me here; Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Exaudi nos---- ----Hear us---- This prayer from the Roman Ritual is graced with a partial indulgence. Exaudi nos, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeternae Deus: et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat, visitet atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Hear us, O Holy Lord, Almighty Father, eternal God: and deign to send Thy holy angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio ad Sanctum Michael---- ----Prayer to Saint Michael---- Composed by Pope Leo XIII. Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen. --------------------- St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Te splendor et virtus Patris---- Te splendor et virtus Patris Te vita, Iesu, cordium, Ab ore qui pendent tuo, Laudamus inter Angelos. Tibi mille densa millium Ducum corona militat; Sed explicat victor Crucem Michael salutis Signifer. Draconis hic dirum caput In ima pellit tartara, Ducemque cum rebellibus Caelesti ab arce fulminat. Contra ducem superbiae Sequamur hunc nos Principem, Ut detur ex Agni throno Nobis corona gloriae. Patri, simulque Filio, Tibique, Sancte Spiritus, Sicut fuit, sit iugiter Saeculum per omne gloria. Amen. Princeps gloriosissime Michael Archangele, esto memor nostri; hic et ubique semper precare pro nobis Filium Dei. V. In conspectu Angelorum psallam tibi, Deus meus: R. Adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum, et confitebor nomini tuo. Oremus; Deus, qui miro ordine Angelorum ministeria hominumque dispensas, concede propitius, ut a quibus tibi ministrantibus in caelo semper assistitur, ab his in terra vita nostra muniatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- O Jesus! life-spring of the soul! The Father's Power and Glory bright! Thee with Angels we extol; >From Thee they draw their life and light. Thy thousand, thousand hosts are spread, Embattled o'er the azure sky; But Michael bears Thy standard dread, And lifts the mighty Cross on high. He in that sign the rebel powers Did with their dragon prince expel: And hurled them from heaven's high towers. Down like a thunderbolt to hell. Grant us with Michael still, O Lord, Against the Prince of Pride to fight; So may a crown be our reward, Before the Lamb's pure throne of light. To God the Father and the Son And Holy Paraclete to Thee, As evermore hath been before, Be glory through eternity. Amen. Most glorious Prince, Michael the Archangel, be ever mindful of us; here and everywhere pray always for us to the Son of God. V. Before the Angels will I sing praise unto Thee, O my God. R. I will worship at Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name. Let us pray; O God, who in wondrous order dost ordain and constitute the services of men and Angels; mercifully grant that our life may be defended on earth by them that stand near Thee, evermore ministering to Thee in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Saint Joseph -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Ad te Beate Ioseph---- ----To you, O blessed Joseph---- A partial indulgence is attached to this prayer. Ad te beate Ioseph, in tribulatione nostra confugimus, atque, implorato Sponsae tuae sanctissimae auxilio, patrocinium quoque tuum fidenter exposcimus. Per eam, quaesumus quae te cum immaculata Virgine Dei Genitrice coniunxit, caritatem, perque paternum, quo Puerum Iesum amplexus es, amorem, supplices deprecamur, ut ad hereditatem, quam Iesus Christus acquisivit Sanguine suo, benignus respicias, ac necessitatibus nostris tua virtute et ope succurras. Tuere, o Custos providentissime divinae Familiae, Iesu Christi sobolem electam; prohibe a nobis, amantissime Pater, omnem errorum ac corruptelarum luem; propitius nobis, sospitator noster fortissime, in hoc cum potestate tenebrarum certamine e caelo adesto; et sicut olim Puerum Iesum e summo eripuisti vitae discrimine, ita nunc Ecclesiam sanctam Dei ab hostilibus insidiis atque ab omni adversitate defende: nosque singulos perpetuo tege patrocinio, ut ad tui exemplar et ope tua suffulti, sancte vivere, pie emori, sempiternamque in caelis beatitudinem assequi possimus. Amen. --------------------- To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Litania Sancti Ioseph---- ----Litany of St. Joseph---- The Litany of Saint Joseph was approved for public use by Pop St. Pius X in 1909. It is model after the Litany of Loreto and contains 21 invocations to St. Joseph which describe his virtues and the part he played as the foster father of Jesus. The Litany has a partial indulgence attached. Leader Congregation, Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trintitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis. Proles David inclyta, ora pro nobis. Lumen Patiracharum, ora pro nobis. Dei Genitricis Sponse, ora pro nobis. Custos pudice Virginis, ora pro nobis. Filii Dei nutricie, ora pro nobis. Christi defensor sedule, ora pro nobis. Almae Familae praeses, ora pro nobis. Ioseph iustissime, ora pro nobis. Ioseph castissime, ora pro nobis. Ioseph prudentissime, ora pro nobis. Ioseph fortissime, ora pro nobis. Ioseph obedientissime, ora pro nobis. Ioseph fidelissime, ora pro nobis. Speculum patientiae, ora pro nobis. Amator paupertatis, ora pro nobis. Exemplar opificum, ora pro nobis. Domesticae vitae decus, ora pro nobis. Custos virginum, ora pro nobis. Familiarum columen, ora pro nobis. Solatium miserorum, ora pro nobis. Spes aegrotantium, ora pro nobis. Patrone morientium, ora pro nobis. Terror daemonum, ora pro nobis. Protector sanctae Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nobis, Domine. Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. V. Constituit eum dominum domus suae. R. Et principem omnis possesionis suae. Oremus: Deus, qui in ineffabili providentia beatum Ioseph sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsum eligere dignatus es; praesta, quaesumus; ut quem protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in caelis: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Renowned offspring of David, pray for us. Light of Patriarchs, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us. Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Joseph most just, pray for us. Joseph most chaste, pray for us. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. Joseph most strong, pray for us. Joseph, most obedient, pray for us. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Lover of poverty, pray for us. Model of artisans, pray for us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. Pillar of families, pray for us. Solace of the wretched, pray for us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Terror of the demons, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. V. He made him the lord of his household. R. And prince over all his possessions. Let us pray: O God, in Thy ineffable providence Thou wert pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beg Thee, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector; Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Memento nostri, beate Ioseph---- ----Be mindful of us, O Blessed Joseph---- Written by St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444, feat May 20th). The prayer appears at the end of his writtings uhat are used for Matins for the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). Memento nostri, beate Ioseph, et tuae orationis suffragio apud tuum putativum Filium intercede; sed et beatissimam Virginem Sponsam tuam nobis propitiam redde, quae Mater est Eius, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat per infinita saecula saeculorum. Amen. ---------------------------- Be mindful of us, O Blessed Joseph, and intercede for us wit thy foster-Son by the pleading of thy prayer: do thou, in like manner, render the blessed Virgin Mary thy Spouse, gracious unto us, for she is the Mother of Him, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Oratio ad Sanctum Ioseph ---- ----Prayer to St. Joseph---- This is one of the more popular prayers to St. Joseph. It is used after Mass and in conjunction with the Cord of St. Joseph. Virginum custos et pater, sancte Ioseph, cuius fideli custodiae ipsa Innocentia Christus Iesus et Virgo virginum Maria commisa fuit; te per hoc utrumque carissimum pignus Iesum et Mariam obsecro et obtestor, ut me, ab omni immunditia praeservatum, mente incontaminata, puro corde et casto corpore Iesu et Mariae semper facias castissime famulari. Amen. --------------------- Guardian of virgins, and holy father Joseph, to whose faithful custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed; I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----Te Ioseph celebrent agmina caelitum---- ----Joseph----! To Thee by Hosts on High This 17th century hymn is used for the feast of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (March 19) and then again on May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker) for Vespers. Te, Ioseph, celebrant agmina caelitum, Te cuncti resonent Christiadum chori, Qui, clarus meritis, iunctus es inclitae, Casto foedere Virgini. Almo cum tumidam germine coniugem admirans dubio tangeris anxius, Afflatu superi Flaminis, Angelus Conceptum puerum docet. Tu natum Dominum stringis, ad exteras Aegypti profugum tu sequeris plagas; Amissum Solymis quaeris et invenis, Miscens gaudia fletibus. Electos reliquos mors pia consecrat Palmamque emeritos gloria suscipit; Tu vivens, Superis par, frueris Deo, Mira sorte beatior. Nobis, summa Trias, parce precantibus; Da Ioseph meritis sidera scandere, Ut tandem liceat nos tibi perpetim Gratum promere canticum. Amen. --------------------- Joseph! to thee by hosts on high And choirs of Christians, laud be paid! Saintly of life, -by purest tie Joined unto her, the glorious Maid. When thou didst doubt they wife's repute, And mark her great with motherhood, The angel taught thee that her fruit Came from the Holy Ghost of God. To clasp the Son, the Lord, was thine, To share His flight to Egypt's shore, With tears, to seek in Salem's shrine Him lost, -with joy, to find once more. Death brings to other Saints their rest; Through toil they win the victor's place; Thou happier, like the Angels blest, Alive, hast seen God face to face. Spare us, O Trinity most High! Grant that, with Joseph, we may gain Thy starry realm, and ceaselessly There raise to Thee our thankful strain. Amen. (tr. R.F. Littledale) -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Holy Family -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Oratio ad Familiam Sanctam---- ----Prayer to the Holy Family---- Devotion to the Holy Family became popular in the 17th century. In 1921 the Feast honoring the Holy Family was established for the Universal Church on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Today the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas, unless Christmas itself falls on a Sunday, then the celebration is moved to December 30. Domine Iesu Christe, qui Mariae et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familae sanctae tuae exemplis instrui et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. --------------------- Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- The Saints -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----Litaniae Sanctorum ----; The Litaniae Sanctorum, Litany of the Saints, is the oldest litany we possess and is the model for all the others. It was used as early as 590. Pope St. Gregory prescribed its usage for a public procession of thanksgiving. The form below, of course, has been updated to reflect the current Church calendar, but its basic form relies on the original 6th century litany. A partial indulgence is attached to the Litany of the Saints. I. SUPPLICATIO AD DEUM Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. -or- Pater de caelis Deus, Miserere nobis. Fili Redemptor mundi Deus, Miserere nobis. Spiritus Sancte Deus, Miserere nobis. II. INVOCATIO SANCTORUM Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis. Sancta Virgo virginem, ora pro nobis. Sancti Michael, Gabriel, et Raphael, orate pro nobis. (Patriarchae et prophetae) Sancte Abraham, ora pro nobis. Sancte Moyses, ora pro nobis. Sancte Elia, ora pro nobis. Sancte Ioannes Baptista, ora pro nobis. Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis. Omnes sancti patriarche et prophetae, orate pro nobis. (Apostoli et discipuli) Sancti Petre et Paule, orate pro nobis. Sancte Andrea, ora pro nobis. Sancti Ioannes et Iacobe, orate pro nobis. Sancte Thoma, ora pro nobis. Sancte Matthaee, ora pro nobis. Omnes sancti Apostoli, orate pro nobis. Sancte Luca, ora pro nobis. Sancte Marce, ora pro nobis. Sancte Barnaba, ora pro nobis. Sancta Maria Magdalena, orate pro nobis. Omnes sancti discipuli Domini, orate pro nobis. (Martyres) Sancte Stephane, ora pro nobis. Sancte Ignati (Antiochene), ora pro nobis. Sancte Polycarpe, ora pro nobis. Sancte Iustine, ora pro nobis. Sancte Laurente, ora pro nobis. Sancte Cypriane, ora pro nobis. Sancte Bonifati, ora pro nobis. Sancte Stanislaus, ora pro nobis. Sancte Thoma (Becket), ora pro nobis. Sancti Ioannes (Fisher) et Thoma (More), orate pro nobis. Sancte Paule (Miki), ora pro nobis. Sancti Iannes (de Brebeuf) et Isaac (Jogues), orate pro nobis. Sancte Petre (Chanel), ora pro nobis. Sancte Carole (Lwanga), ora pro nobis. Sanctae Perpetua et Felicitas, orate pro nobis. Sancta Agnes, ora pro nobis. Sancta Maria (Goretti), ora pro nobis. Omnes sancti martyres, orate pro nobis. (Episcopi et doctores) Sancti Leo et Gregori, orate pro nobis. Sancte Ambrosi, ora pro nobis. Sancte Hieronyme, ora pro nobis. Sancte Augustine, ora pro nobis. Sancte Athanasi, ora pro nobis. Sancti Basili et Gregori (Nazianzene), orate pro nobis. Sancte Ioannes Chrysostome, ora pro nobis. Sancte Martine, ora pro nobis. Sancte Patrici, ora pro nobis. Sancti Cyrille et Methodi, orate pro nobis. Sancte Carole (Borromeo), ora pro nobis. Sancte Francisce (de Sales), ora pro nobis. Sancte Pie (Decime), ora pro nobis. (Presbyteri et religiosi) Sancte Antoni, ora pro nobis. Sancte Benedicte, ora pro nobis. Sancte Bernarde, ora pro nobis. Sancti Francisce et Dominice, orate pro nobis. Sancte Thoma (de Aquino), ora pro nobis. Sancte Ignati (de Loyola), ora pro nobis. Sancte Francisce (Xavier), ora pro nobis. Sancte Vincenti (de Paul), ora pro nobis. Sancte Ioannes Maria (Vianney), ora pro nobis. Sancte Ioannes (Bosco), ora pro nobis. Sancta Catharina (Senensis), ora pro nobis. Sancta Teresia (de Avila), ora pro nobis. Sancta Rosa (de Lima), ora pro nobis. (Laici) Sancte Lodovice, ora pro nobis. Sancta Monica, ora pro nobis. Sancta Elisabeth (Hungariae), ora pro nobis. Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, orate pro nobis. III. INVOCATIO AD CHRISTUM Propitius esto, libera nos, Domine. Ab omni malo, libera nos, Domine. Ab omni peccato, libera nos, Domine. Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos, Domine. Ab ira et odio et omni mala voluntate, libera nos, Domine. A morte perpetua, libera nos, Domine. Per incarnationem tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per nativitaetem tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per baptismum et sanctum ieiunium tuum, libera nos, Domine. Per crucem et passionem tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per sanctam resurrectionem tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per admirabilem ascensionem tuam, libera nos, Domine. Per effusionem Spritus Sancti, libera nos, Domine. Per gloriosum adventum tuum, libera nos, Domine. -or- Christe, Fili Dei vivi, miserere nobis. Qui in hunc mundum venisti, miserere nobis. Qui in cruce pependisti, miserere nobis. Qui in mortem propter nos accepisti, miserere nobis. Qui in sepulcro iacuisti, miserere nobis. Qui in caelos ascendisti, miserere nobis. Qui Spiritum Sanctum in Apostolos misisti, miserere nobis. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Qui venturus es iudicare vivos et mortuos, miserere nobis. IV. SUPPLICATIO PRO VARIIS NECESSITATIBUS Ut nobis parcas, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut ad veram paenitentiam nos perducere digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut nosmetipsos in tuo sancto servitio confortare et conservare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut omnibus benefactoribus nostris sempiterna bona retribuas, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut fructus terrae dare et conservare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. -or- Ut nobis indulgeas, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut mentes nostras ad caelestia desideria erigas, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut animas nostras, fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum ab aeterna damnatione eripias, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam donare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut mundum a peste, fame et bello servare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut cunctis populis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. (Precationes sequentes semper cantantur) Ut ecclesiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut domnum apostolicum et omnes ecclesiasticos ordines in sancta religione conservare digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut omnibus in Christum credentibus unitatem largiri digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. Ut omnes homines ad Evangelii lumen perducere digneris, te rogamus, audi nos. V. CONCLUSIO Christe, audi nos. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. -or- Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Miserere nobis. Christe, audi nos. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Oratio Deus, refugium nostrum et virtus, adesto piis Ecclesiae tuae precibus, auctor ipse pietatis, et praesta, ut, quod fideliter petimus, efficaciter consequamur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. -or- Deus, qui nos conspicis ex nostra infirmitate deficere, ad amorem tui nominis nos misericorditer per sanctorum tuorum exempla restaura. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. ------------------------------ I. SUPPLICATION TO GOD Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. -or- Heavenly Father, God, have mercy on us. Son, Saviour of the World, God, have mercy on us. Holy Spirit, God, have mercy on us. II. TO THE SAINTS Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us. (Prophets and patriarchs) Holy Abraham, pray for us. Holy Moses, pray for us. Holy Elijah, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. All you holy patriarchs and prophets, pray for us. (Apostles and disciples) Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us. Saint Andrew, pray for us. Saints John and Jacob, pray for us. Saint Thomas, pray for us. Saint Matthew, pray for us. All you holy apostles, pray for us. Saint Luke, pray for us. Saint Mark, pray for us. Saint Barnabas, pray for us. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us. All you holy disciples of the Lord, pray for us. (Martyrs) Saint Stephen, pray for us. Saint Ignatius (of Antioch), pray for us. Saint Polycarp, pray for us. Saint Justin, pray for us. Saint Lawrence, pray for us. Saint Cyprian, pray for us. Saint Boniface, pray for us. Saint Stanislaus, pray for us. Saint Thomas (Becket), pray for us. Saints John (Fisher) and Thomas (More), pray for us. Saint Paul (Miki), pray for us. Saint John (Brebeuf) and Isaac (Jogues), pray for us. Saint Peter (Chanel), pray for us. Saint Charles (Lwanga), pray for us. Saints Perpetua and Felicity, pray for us. Saint Agnes, pray for us. Saint Maria (Goretti), pray for us. All you holy martyrs, pray for us. (Bishops and doctors) Saints Leo and Gregory, pray for us. Saint Ambrose, pray for us. Saint Hieronymus, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us. Saint Athanasius, pray for us. Saints Basil and Gregory (of Nazianus), pray for us. Saint John Chrysostom, pray for us. Saint Martin, pray for us. Saint Patrick, pray for us. Saints Cyril and Methodius, pray for us. Saint Charles (Borromeo), pray for us. Saint Francis (de Sales), pray for us. Saint Pius (the Tenth), pray for us. (Priests and religious) Saint Anthony, pray for us. Saint Benedict, pray for us. Saint Bernard, pray for us. Saints Francis and Dominic, pray for us. Saint Thomas (Aquinas), pray for us. Saint Ignatius (Loyola), pray for us. Saint Francis (Xavier), pray for us. Saint Vincent (de Paul), pray for us. Saint John Mary (Vianney), pray for us. Saint John (Bosco), pray for us. Saint Catherine (of Siena), pray for us. Saint Theresa (of Avila), pray for us. Saint Rose (of Lima), pray for us. (Laiety) Saint Louis, pray for us. Saint Monica, pray for us. Saint Elizabeth (of Hungary), pray for us. All you holy saints of God, pray for us. III. INVOCATION TO CHRIST Be merciful, deliver us, O Lord. >From all evil, deliver us, O Lord. >From all sin, deliver us, O Lord. >From Satan's snares, deliver us, O Lord. >From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, deliver us, O Lord. >From eternal death, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Incarnation, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Birth, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Baptism and Holy Fast, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Holy Resurrection, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy wondrous Ascension, deliver us, O Lord. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy glorious Return, deliver us, O Lord. -or- Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Who didst come into this world, have mercy on us. Who didst hang upon the cross, have mercy on us. Who didst choose to die for us, have mercy on us. Who was laid in the tomb, have mercy on us. Who didst unto heaven ascend, have mercy on us. Who didst send the Holy Spirit to the Apostle, have mercy on us. Who art seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. Who will come again to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us. IV. SUPPLICATION FOR VARIOUS NEEDS That Thou might spare us, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to lead us unto true repentence, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to comfort and preserve those who are in Thy holy service, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst repay all our benefactors with eternal good, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we ask Thee, hear us. -or- That Thou wouldst forgive us, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to raise our minds to desire heaven, we ask Thee, hear us. That from eternal damnation Thou wouldst protect our souls, and those of our brethren, relatives and benefactors, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to give eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to save the world from plague, famine and war, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to give peace and true harmony to all peoples, we ask Thee, hear us. (The following are always sung) That Thou wouldst deign to rule and preserve thy Holy Church, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to preserve our Apostolic Prelate and all orders of the Church in holy religion, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to give unity to all believers in Christ, we ask Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deign to bring all people into the light of the Gospel, we ask Thee, hear us. V. CONCLUSION Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. -or- Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Let us pray: O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the devoted prayers of Thy Church, the very origin of faith. Help us, we pray, that we may follow Thee faithfully. Through Christ our Lord. -or- O God, who sees us failing out of our weakness, mercifully restore us to the love of Thy name through the examples of Thy saints. -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Various Occasions -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- For Meetings ----Adsumus---- ----We have come---- This prayer, which is normally recited at the opening of a meeting, is enriched with a partial indulgence. The source of the prayer is the Roman Pontifical. Adsumus, Domine Sancte Spiritus, adsumus peccati quidem immanitate detenti, sed in nomine tuo specialiter congregati. Veni ad nos et esto nobiscum et dignare illabi cordibus nostris; doce nos quid agamus, quo gradiamur et ostende quid efficere debeamus, ut, te auxiliante, tibi in omnibus placere valeamus. Esto solus suggestor et effector iudiciorum nostrorum, qui solus cum Deo Patre et eius Filio nomen possides gloriosum. Non nos patiaris perturbatores esse iustitiae qui summam diligis aequitatem; non in sinistrum nos ignorantia trahat, non favor inflectat, non acceptio muneris vel personnae corrumpat; sed iunge nos tibi efficaciter solius tuae gratiae dono, ut simus in te unum et in nullo deviemus a vero; quatenus in nomine tuo collecti, sic in cunctis teneamus cum moderamine pietatis iustitiam, ut et hic a te in nullo dissentiat sententia nostra et in futurum pro bene gestis consequamur praemia sempiterna. Amen. --------------------- We have come, O God the Holy Spirit, we have come before Thee, hampered indeed by our many and grievous sins, but for a special purpose gathered together in Thy name. Come to us and be with us and enter our hearts. Teach us what we are to do and where we ought to tend; show us what we must accomplish, in order that, with Thy help, we may be able to please Thee in all things. Be Thou alone the author and the finisher of our judgments, Thou who alone with God the Father and his Son dost posses a glorious name. Do not allow us to disturb the order of justice, Thou who lovest equity above all things. Let not ignorance draw us into devious paths. Let not partiality sway our minds, nor respect of riches nor persons pervert our judgment. But unite us to Thee effectually by the gift of Thy grace alone, that we may be one in Thee and never forsake the truth; inasmuch as we are gathered together in Thy name, so may we in all things hold fast to justice tempered by mercy, so that in this life our judgment may in no wise be at variance with Thee and in the life to come we may attain everlasting rewards for deeds well done. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Thanksgiving ----Agimus tibi gratias---- ----We Give Thee Thanks---- Partial Indulgence for this prayer from the Roman Breviary. Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis; Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. --------------------- We give you thanks, Almighty God, for all your blessings: who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- For Grace ----Concede mihi---- ----Grant me Thy Grace---- >From the Imitation of Christ, book. 3, chapter 15, v. 3. Concede mihi, benignissime Iesu, gratiam tuam, ut mecum sit et mecum laboret mecumque in finem usque perseveret. Da mihi hoc semper desiderare et velle, quod tibi magis acceptum est carius placet. Tua voluntas mea sit, et mea voluntas tuam semper sequatur, et optime ei concordet. Sit mihi unum velle et nolle tecum, nec aliud posse velle aut nolle, nisi quod Tu vis et nolis. Amen. --------------------- Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me and work with me and persevere with me even to the end. Grant that I may always desire and will that which is to Thee most acceptable and most dear. Let Thy will be mine, and let my will ever follow Thine and agree perfectly with it. Let my willing and not-willing be all one with Thine, and let me not be able to will or not will anything else but what Thou willest or willest not. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- For Guidance ----Actiones nostras---- ----Direct, we beg you, O Lord---- A partial indulgence is attached to this prayer from the Roman Ritual. It also appears in the Liturgia Horarum as a final prayer of Laudes. Actiones nostras, quaesumus Domine, aspirando praeveni et adiuvando prosequere: ut cuncta nostra oratio et operatio a te semper incipiat, et per te coepta finiatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. --------------------- Direct, we beg Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with Thee, and through Thee be happily ended. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- ----IIllumina, Domine---- ----Enlighten, O Lord---- This was written in the 6th century by Verecundus. His works were edited by Cardinal Pitra, in the Spicilegium Solesmense. It is a model of clarity and succinctness. Illumina, Domine nostri cordis obtutus, ut quae digna sunt videamus, quae autem indigna, vitemus. Amen. Enlighten, O Lord, the blindness of our hearts, that we may discern what is worthy and avoid what is unworthy. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Before and After Meals ----Prex ante prandium---- ----Prayer Before Meals---- Traditional prayers before and after meals. Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. Add for midday; Mensae coelestis participes faciat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen. Add for evening; Ad coenam vitae aeternae perducat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen. --------------------- Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Add for midday; May the King of everlasting glory make us partakers of the heavenly table. Amen. Add for evening; May the King of everlasting glory lead us to the banquet of life eternal. Amen. ----Prex post prandium---- ----Prayer After Meals---- Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Deus det nobis suam pacem. R. Et vitam aeternam. Amen. ! --------------------- We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. V. May the Lord grant us His peace. R. And life everlasting. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- For the Dead ----Dies Irae---- ----Day of Wrath---- One of the most famous melodies of the Gregorian Chant. Dies Irae was formerly part of the Mass of the Dead. It was traditionally ascribed to Thomas of Celano (d 1260), but now is usually attributed to an unknown Franciscan of that period. It is based upon Zep 1:14-16. Dies irae, dies illa, Solvet saeculum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla. Quantus tremor est futurus, Quando iudex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus! Tuba mirum spargens sonum Per sepulcra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum. Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura, Iudicanti responsura. Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus iudicetur. Iudex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet apparebit: Nil in ultum remanebit. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus? Cum vix iustus sit securus. Rex tremendae maiestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis. Recordare Iesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas illa die. Quarens me, sedisti lassus: Redemisti crucem passus: Tantus labor non sit casus. Iuste iudex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis, Ante diem rationis. Ingemisco, tamquam reus: Culpa rubet vultus meus: Supplicanti parce Deus. Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti. Preces meae non sunt dignae: Sed tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne. Inter oves locum praesta, Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra. Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis. Voca me cum benedictis. Oro supplex et acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis: Gere curam mei finis. Lacrimosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla. Judicandus homo reus: Huic ergo parce Deus. Pie Iesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen. --------------------- That day of wrath, that dreadful day, Shall heaven and earth in ashes lay, As David and the Sybil say. What horror must invade the mind When the approaching Judge shall find And sift the deeds of all mankind! The mighty trumpet's wondrous tone Shall rend each tomb's sepulchral stone And summon all before the Throne. Now death and nature with surprise Behold the trembling sinners rise To meet the Judge's searching eyes. Then shall with universal dread The Book of Consciences be read To judge the lives of all the dead. For now before the Judge severe All hidden things must plain appear; No crime can pass unpunished here. O what shall I, so guilty plead? And who for me will intercede? When even Saints shall comfort need? O King of dreadful majesty! Grace and mercy You grant free; As Fount of Kindness, save me! Recall, dear Jesus, for my sake You did our suffering nature take Then do not now my soul forsake! In weariness You sought for me, And suffering upon the tree! Let not in vain such labor be. O Judge of justice, hear, I pray, For pity take my sins away Before the dreadful reckoning day. You gracious face, O Lord, I seek; Deep shame and grief are on my cheek; In sighs and tears my sorrows speak. You Who did Mary's guilt unbind, And mercy for the robber find, Have filled with hope my anxious mind. How worthless are my prayers I know, Yet, Lord forbid that I should go Into the fires of endless woe. Divorced from the accursed band, O make me with Your sheep to stand, As child of grace, at Your right Hand. When the doomed can no more flee >From the fires of misery With the chosen call me. Before You, humbles, Lord, I lie, My heart like ashes, crushed and dry, Assist me when I die. Full of tears and full of dread Is that day that wakes the dead, Calling all, with solemn blast To be judged for all their past. Lord, have mercy, Jesus blest, Grant them all Your Light and Rest. Amen. -------------------------------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Biographies -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Saint Ambrose (340-397) Saint Ambrose was one of the four great Latin Fathers and Doctors of the Western Church. He was appointed Bishop of Milan in 374. He wrote about Scripture, the priesthood, the faith, and hymnology. St. Anselm (1033-1109) St. Anslem was born at Aosta in Piedmont, Italy in 1033 and became a Benedictine monk at the monestary of Bec in France in 1060. He was elected prior in 1063 and became Abbot in 1078. While at Bec he wrote Monologium (1077) and Proslogium. In 1093 he was elected Archbisop of Canterbury. He fought vigourously for the freedom of the Church and was exiled twice as a result of this. He was the founder of Scholasticism and the recogized originator of the ontological argument for the existance of God and the satisfaction theory of the atonement or redemption. Fest April 21. St. Bernardine (1380-1444) St. Bernardine was born September 8, 1380 of the noble family Albizzesci in the town of Massa Marittima near Siena. He became a Franciscan monk Sept. 8, 1402 and was then ordained Sept. 8, 1404. He was considered the foremost Italian missioner of the 15th century and spread far and wide the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He was also responsible for the revival of discipline amongst the Franciscans, serving as vicar general of the order from 1438 to 1442. He died Ascension eve, May 20, 1444. He was canonized in 1450 and his feast day is May 20. St. Bonaventure (1218-1274) St. Bonaventure was born in Tuscany and entered the Franciscan order. He was a close friend of St. Thomas Aquinas. He is regarded as the greatest exponent of Mystical Theology in the Middle Ages and is known as the Seraphic Doctor. St. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373) St. Ephrem was born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia and headed the catechetical school there. After the Persians captured Nisibis, he went to Edessa were he became a monk and a deacon. It was in Edessa that he wrote most of his works. He wrote extensively on Scripture and composed many hymns. These hymns were composed in Syriac, the local tongue, so his people would understand them, learn from them, and thereby be kept free from Arainism. He is especially noted for his Marian Hymns which are an important source of Catholic Dogma. He also carried out many works of mercy and was responsible for organizing relief efforts during the great famine in Mesopotamia which broke out a few years before his death. Pope Benedict XV officially declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1920. His feast day is June 9. Herman Contractus (Herman the Cripple) He was from the noble family of Verigen and a Benedictine monk at the monastery of Reichenau. St. Joseph Calasanctius (1556-1648) St. Joseph Calasanctius was born in Peralta in Aragon. He was ordained a priest in 1583 and was engaged in pastoral work until he had a vision that directed him to go to Rome. He went to Rome in 1592 and joined the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine which was concerned with the free education of neglected children. As time went on, he gradually organized the Confraternity into a religious order know as Scolopi (from Le Scuole Pie (Religious Schools)) or Piarists. St. Joseph Calasanctius was canonized in 1767 and his feast day is August 25. St. Sophronius (c. 560-638) St. Sophronius was an accomplished writer of distinction and patriarch of Jerusalem when it fell to the Saracens in 637 AD. St. Sophronius was born a Syrian in Damascus around 560 AD. In 580 AD he became an ascetic in Egypt and thereupon entered the monastery of St. Theodosius in Jerusalem. He vigorously defended orthodox theology against Monothelitism (that Christ only had a divine will). In 634 AD, he became the patriarch of Jerusalem. In 637 when Jerusalem fell to the Saracens forces of 'Umar I', St. Sophronius was able to negotiate a treaty with them to preserve the religious liberty of the Christians in Jerusalem. St. Sophronius died March 11, 638 in Jerusalem. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas One of the five beautiful hymns he composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to Adoro Te Devote, St. Thomas wrote Lauda Sion, Pange Lingua, Sacris Sollemins and Verbum Supernum at the specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) for the then new Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. It is found in the Roman Missal as a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this hymn. St. Vincent Pallotti (1798-1850) He was born in Rome of a noble family and ordained a secular priest in 1820. He eventually dedicated himself to pastoral work in Rome and labored selflessly for others. He founded the Pallotines, otherwise known as the Society of Catholic Action. In 1836 he started the special observance of the Octave of Epiphany for the reunion of the Oriental Church with Rome. He was canonized in 1963 and his feast day is January 23. From: MX%"dennis@delphi.dseg.ti.com" 28-JUN-1994 11:19:53.41 To: MX%"cms@dragon.com" CC: Subj: Latin rosary Return-Path: Received: from lobby2b.ti.com by DRAGON.COM (MX V4.1 VAX) with SMTP; Tue, 28 Jun 1994 11:19:39 EDT Received: from lesol1.dseg.ti.com by lobby2b.ti.com with ESMTP (8.6.8.1/LAI-3.2) id KAA26340; Tue, 28 Jun 1994 10:13:37 -0500 Received: from delphi (delphi.dseg.ti.com [128.247.221.176]) by lesol1.dseg.ti.com (8.6.9/8.6.6) with SMTP id KAA14801 for ; Tue, 28 Jun 1994 10:15:25 -0500 Received: from bacchus.dseg.ti.com by delphi (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA05936; Tue, 28 Jun 94 10:15:24 CDT Date: Tue, 28 Jun 94 10:15:24 CDT From: dennis@delphi.dseg.ti.com (dennis womack) Message-ID: <9406281515.AA05936@delphi> To: cms@dragon.com Subject: Latin rosary Cindy, Here's an old post I saved ... Dennis =========================== From catholic@uunet.uu.net Wed Jul 14 08:19:07 1993 To: Catholic-Doctrine-Mailing-List@uunet.UU.NET Date: Wed Jul 14 08:15 EDT 1993 Reply-To: catholic@sarto.gaithersburg.md.us (Catholic Mailing List) Subject: (CML) Rosary Prayers in Latin From: jhpb@sarto.gaithersburg.md.us Content-Length: 1519 X-Lines: 40 Status: RO From: jhpb@sarto.gaithersburg.md.us There may be some slight mistakes in the Fatima Prayer. I will let you know if I ever find my paper copy of it. CREED Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem Creatorum coeli et terrae. Et in Jesum Christum, Filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum: qui conceptus est de Spiritu sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus: descendit ad inferos: terie die resurrexit a mortuis ascendit ad caelos sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum sanctum sanctam Ecclesiam Catholiciam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, et vitam aeternam. Amen. OUR FATHER Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. Sed libera nos a malo. Amen. HAIL MARY Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. GLORY BE Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. FATIMA PRAYER Nostris, O Jesu, debitis indulge, erue nos ab ignibus Inferni. Caelique portas universis pande, miseris praesertim. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- dennis.womack@dseg.ti.com Gig'em Texas Instruments MSGID WOMK 214-480-2651 Dallas, TX ... Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (if you want peace, prepare for war) ----------------------------------------------------------------------