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August 31, 2013

Abide With Me

The Darkness Deepens, Lord With Me Abide

Abide With Me was written in 1847 by the Anglican Clergyman, Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847). The hymn was composed just weeks before his death. Suffering from tu­ber­cu­lo­sis, he completed the text the same morning that he gave his farewell sermon at the parish where he served. After leaving for Italy in a bid to regain his health, he died three weeks later in Nice, France. In 1861, Lyte's words were set to music by William H. Monk (1823-1889). While attending a meeting as music editor for the collection, Hymns: Ancient and Modern, he realized Lyte's lyric was to be included, but had no music. Sitting down at the piano, Monk's thoughts turned to the recent death of his 3-year-old daughter as (within 10 minutes) he composed the tune, Eventide. Since then, Abide With Me has become one of the most widely known and beloved of Christian hymns. A favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, it has been sung at everything from Royal Weddings, to English football matches, to the funeral of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In the Liturgy of the Hours it is sung or recited during Night Prayer.



ABIDE WITH ME by Henry Lyte, 1847 (Public Domain)

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples,
Lord, Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

4. Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

 5. Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

6. I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

August 24, 2013

Hymns from the Liturgy of the Hours (ICEL-1975)

Thematic Index of the hymns found in the Liturgy of the Hours (1975) approved by the Episcopal Conferences of the Antilles, Bangledesh, Burma, Canada, of the Pacific CEPAC (Fiji Islands, Rarotangta, Samoa and Takelau, Tonga), Ghana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua, New Guinea and The Solomons, The Phillipines, Rhodesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States of America for use in their Dioceses and Confirmed by the Apostolic See. The following is based upon the 'Liturgical Guide for Hymns' starting on page 1502 of the single volume 'Christian Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours', 1976, Catholic Book Publishing Company. Related: Numerical Index and Alphabetical Index.

OFFICE OF READINGS (Matins)

MORNING PRAYER (Lauds)
1. On This Day, the First of Days
2. Brightness of the Father's Glory
3. Sion, Sing
4. Morning Has Broken
5. Darkness Has Faded
6. When Morning Fills the Sky
7. Lord Whose Love in Humble Service
8. Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
9. Sing with All the Sons of Glory
10. I Sing the Mighty Power of God
11. All You Nations
12. This Day God Gives Me
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
14. All Creatures of Our God and King
15. O God of Light
16. We Turn to You, O God
17. Christ is the World's Light
18. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
19. From All That Dwell Below the Skies (with Alleluias)
20. From All That Dwell Below the Skies
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator
91. With Hearts Renewed

MID-MORNING PRAYER (Terce)
21. Father, Lord of Earth and Heaven
22. Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us
23. Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One

MIDDAY PRAYER (Sext)
24. Help Us, O Lord
25. Lord of All Hopefullness
26. Lord of All Being, Throned Afar
27. Almighty Ruler, God of Truth

MID-AFTERNOON PRAYER (None)
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
28. Firmly I Believe and Truly
29. Lord God and Maker of All Things
30. Most Ancient of All Mysteries
31. Faith of Our Fathers
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator

EVENING PRAYER (Vespers)
32. Now We Thank We All Our God
33. O Christ, You Are the Light and Day
34. Lord Jesus Christ, Abide With Us
35. The Setting Sun
36. O Father, Whose Creating Hand
37. For the Fruits of His Creation
38. When in His Own Image
39. At the Name of Jesus
40. Love Divine All Loves Excelling
41. Now Fades All Earthly Splendor
42. Day is Done
43. O Worship the King
44. Romans VIII (For Those Who Love God)
45. Let All Things Now Living
46. Father, We Thank Thee
47. We Plough the Fields and Scatter

NIGHT PRAYER (Compline)
42. Day is Done
48. We Praise You, Father, for Your Gifts
49. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
50. This World, My God
51. Now at Daylight's Ending
52. All Praises to You, O God, This Night
53. The Master Came
99. When from the Darkness
184. O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine

---------- PROPER OF SEASONS ----------

ADVENT
54. On Jordan's Bank
55. Maranatha
56. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
57. Be Consoled, My People
58. Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
59. The King of Glory
60. Wake, Awake, the Night is Dying
61. Creator of the Stars at Night
62. You Heavens, Open From Above
63. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
64. The Coming of Our God
65. Behold a Virgin Bearing Him
66. Song of Salvation Drawing Near
67. Behold a Rose of Judah

CHRISTMAS
68. A Child is Born
69. From Heaven High
70. Go Tell It on the Mountain
71. O Come, All Ye Faithful
72. Songs of Praise the Angels Sang
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
74. What Child is This
75. A Child is Born in Bethlehem
76. Unto Us a Child is Given

HOLY FAMILY
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
77. Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
78. Joseph of Nazareth

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
79. Joy to You
80. O Mary, of All Women

EPIPHANY
3. Sion, Sing
11. All You Nations
81. As with Gladness Men of Old
84. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

BAPTISM OF THE LORD
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator
83. When Jesus Comes to Be Baptized
84. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

LENT
53. The Master Came
85. Now Let Us All with One Accord
86. Creator of the Earth and Skies
87. Lord, Your Glory in Christ We Have Seen
88. Praise to the Holiest
89. The Glory of These Forty Days
90. Grant to Us
91. With Hearts Renewed
92. Take Up Your Cross
93. For Forty Years
94. Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days
95. This is Our Accepted Time
96. Draw Near, O Lord
97. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
98. Keep in Mind
99. When from the Darkness
100. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY
59. The King of Glory
87. Lord, Your Glory in Christ We Have Seen
101. Crown Him With Many Crowns
102. Hail, Redeemer, King Divine
103. All Glory, Praise, and Honor
104. O Sacred Head, Surrounded

HOLY WEEK
87. Lord, Your Glory in Christ We Have Seen
104. O Sacred Head, Surrounded
105. Were You There
106. This I Ask (John 15)
107. Have Mercy, O Lord
108. I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory
109. The Word of God Proceeding Forth
110. My Loving Savior
111. Christ, Victim for the Sins of Men

EASTER
14. All Creatures of Our God and King
98. Keep in Mind
112. Alleluia, The Strife is O'er
113. In the Midst of Death (We Who Were Once Dead)
114. I Am the Bread of Life
115. Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
116. At the Lamb's High Feast
117. The Day of Resurrection
118. Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today
119. Ye Sons and Daughters
120. Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley)
121. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
122. Hail Thee, Festival Day
123. Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Leeson)

ASCENSION
122. Hail Thee, Festival Day
124. Let the Earth Rejoice and Sing
125. Praise Him As He Mounts the Skies
126. The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns

PENTECOST
122. Hail Thee, Festival Day
127. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, Come
128. The Spirit of God
129. Holy Spirit, God of Light
130. Splendor of Creation (Send Forth Your Spirit)

TRINITY SUNDAY
1. On This Day, the First of Days
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator
131. All Hail, Adored Trinity
132. Holy, Holy, Holy
133. Come Thou Almighty King

CORPUS CHRISTI
46. Father, We Thank Thee
108. I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory
134. Lord Who at Your First Eucharist Did Pray
135. God with Hidden Majesty

SACRED HEART
40. Love Divine All Loves Excelling
136. O Christ, Redeemer of Mankind
137. Heart of Christ
138. To Christ, the Prince of Peace
139. Come to Me
140. Shepherd of Souls, in Love Come, Feed Us

CHRIST THE KING
141. To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King

---------- PROPER OF SAINTS ----------

ANDREW, APOSTLE (NOVEMBER 30)
142. Great Saint Andrew

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (DECEMBER 8)

PRESENTATION (FEBRUARY 2)
144. When Mary Brought Her Treasure

SOLEMNITY OF JOSEPH (MARCH 19)
78. Joseph of Nazareth
145. Look Down to Us, Saint Joseph

ANNUNCIATION (MARCH 25)

JOSEPH THE WORKER (MAY 1)
78. Joseph of Nazareth
145. Look Down to Us, Saint Joseph

BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (JUNE 24)
57. Be Consoled, My People
146. The Great Forerunner of the Morn

PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES ( JUNE 29)
147. What Fairer Light

TRANSFIGURATION (AUGUST 6)
87. Lord, Your Glory in Christ We Have Seen
148. O Raise Your Eyes on High and See
149. 'Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here

ASSUMPTION (AUGUST 15)
162. Hail, Holy Queen (Deiss)

TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS (SEPTEMBER 14)
102. Hail, Redeemer, King Divine
126. The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns
150. O Cross of Christ Immortal Tree

MICHAEL, GABRIEL, RAPHAEL (SEPTEMBER 29)
151. Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him
152. They Come, God's Messengers of Love
153. You Holy Angels Bright

GUARDIAN ANGELS (OCTOBER 2)

FRANCIS OF ASSISI (OCTOBER 4)
14. All Creatures of Our God and King

ALL SAINTS (NOVEMBER 1)
31. Faith of Our Fathers
44. Romans VIII (For Those Who Love God)
172. For All the Saints
180. The Beatitudes
181. Blest Are the Pure in Heart

---------- COMMONS ----------

COMMONS OF THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH
154. Christ is Made Our Sure Foundation
155. The Church's One Foundation
178. Now, From the Heav'ns Descending

COMMON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
79. Joy to You
80. O Mary, of All Women
156. Mary, Crowned with Living Light
157. Mary Immaculate, Star of the Morning
158. Holy Mary, Now We Crown You
159. Mother of Christ
160. Hail, This Festival Day
161. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary
162. Hail, Holy Queen (Deiss)
163. The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky
164. Mother of Holy Hope
165. Mary the Dawn
166. Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate
167. Queen of Heaven

COMMON OF APOSTLES
106. This I Ask (John 15)
168. The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King
169. Now Let the Heav'ns Resound with Praise

COMMON OF SEVERAL MARTYRS
170. Christ, in Whose Passion Once Was Sown
171. A Mighty Fortress is Our God
172. For All the Saints

COMMON OF ONE MARTYR
173. Amazing Grace

COMMON OF PASTORS
174. Loving Shepard of Thy Sheep
175. The King of Love My Shepherd Is

COMMON OF DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH
31. Faith of Our Fathers
176. Rise Up, O Men of God
177. This is the Feast Day of the Lord's True Witness
178. Now, From the Heav'ns Descending
179. Now Let Us Praise

COMMON OF VIRGINS
180. The Beatitudes

COMMON OF HOLY MEN
31. Faith of Our Fathers
172. For All the Saints
181. Blest Are the Pure in Heart
182. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
183. Who Would True Valor See

COMMON OF HOLY WOMEN

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OFFICE OF THE DEAD
98. Keep in Mind
106. This I Ask (John 15)
120. Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley)
139. Come to Me
172. For All the Saints
175. The King of Love My Shepherd Is
184. O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine
185. May Flights of Angels Lead You On Your Way

---------------------------------------------------------------------

POETRY APPENDIX
Canticle of Brother Sun
God's Grandeur
I See His Blood Upon the Rose
If, Lord, Thy Love for Me is Strong
Lead, Kindly Light 
Lines Written in Her Breviary
My Own Heart Let Me More Have Pity On
O Deus Ego Amo Te (O God, I Love Thee)
The Beauty of Creation Bears Witness to God
The Hound of Heaven
The Pulley
Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord
Wilt Thou Forgive That Sin, Where I Begun

August 19, 2013

Who Are These Like Stars Appearing?

Praising Loud Their Heavenly King

Who Are These Like Stars Appearing? is a translation of the 1719 German hymn, Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne by the Protestant pastor and theologian, Theobald Heinrich Schenck (1656-1727). In 1841 it was translated into English by Frances Elizabeth Cox (1812-1897) and published as part of her collection, Sacred Hymns from the German. It is sung to the tune All Saints (Darm­stadt) first published in 1698. It can also be sung to the tune: Unser Herrscher, as featured in the following video. In the Divine Office, Who Are These Like Stars Appearing? is sung on Feast Days of Saints and Angels.

Tune: Unser Herrscher


WHO ARE THESE LIKE STARS APPEARING? by Fran­ces E. Cox, 1841 (Public Domain)

1. Who are these like stars appearing,
These before God’s throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing;
Who are all this glorious band?
Alleluia! Hark, they sing,
Praising loud their heav’nly King.

2. Who are these of dazzling brightness,
These in God’s own truth arrayed,
Clad in robes of purest whiteness,
Robes whose luster ne’er shall fade,
Ne’er be touched by time’s rude hand?
Whence come all this glorious band?

3. These are they who have contended
For their Savior’s honor long,
Wrestling on till life was ended,
Following not the sinful throng;
These who well the fight sustained,
Triumph through the Lamb have gained.

4. These are they whose hearts were riven,
Sore with woe and anguish tried,
Who in prayer full oft have striven
With the God they glorified;
Now, their painful conflict o’er,
God has bid them weep no more.

5. These, like priests, have watched and waited,
Offering up to Christ their will;
Soul and body consecrated,
Day and night to serve Him still:
Now in God’s most holy place
Blest they stand before His face.

August 17, 2013

Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men

O Help Us Listen Now, As Then

Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men was written by the Rev. Canon Howard Charles Adie Gaunt (1902-1983). Known as Tom Gaunt, he served as headmaster of Malvern College, UK from 1937–1953. He was a contributor to the British supplementary hymn collection: 100 Hymns for Today, first published in 1969. Although in the Divine Office it is set to the tune O Jesu Mi Dulcissime, it is more commonly associated with the tune, Winchester New (as featured in the following video). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Winchester New

August 16, 2013

In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man

Now He Speaks Though His Son

In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man was written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is sung to the tune, Herr Jesu Christ Meins first published in the As Hymnodus Sacer of 1625. An alternative tune that can be used is Duke Street, as featured in the video below. Later revised with inclusive language as: In Ancient Times God Spoke to Us, it is just one of a number of hymns contributed to the Divine Office by Stanbrook Abbey. Throughout the past century the Benedictine Nuns have been actively involved as translators, editors, and printers of many of the revisions to the Office. As far back as 1915, according to the reforms of St. Pius X, they translated a parallel English text to go alongside the Latin in the Roman Breviary. An account of their various (and often anonymous) contributions can be found here. In the Liturgy of the Hours, In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man is used in the Office of Readings.

Tune: Duke Street

August 13, 2013

Liturgical Guide: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (974) states that the "Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body." In the following video, Dr. Scott Hahn of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology explains the Assumption by use of typology, that is: the prefigurement of people or events in the Old Testament that foreshadow or point to their fulfilment and perfection in the New Testament. The same way that St. Paul can speak of Adam as a 'type' of Christ (Rom. 5:14) or St. Peter can refer to the Flood as a 'prefigurement' of Baptism (1 Pet. 3:21), so too can we see Mary as the 'anti-type' of women such as Eve or Bathsheba. The hymns selected from the Divine Office for use on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary reflect her maternal role as Mother of the Church and as Queen Mother.



LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
Hail, Holy Queen
Joy to You 
Mary, Crowned with Living Light 
Mary the Dawn
Mother of Holy Hope
O Raise Your Eyes on High and See 
Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
The Ark Which God Has Sanctified
Who is She Ascends So High?

August 10, 2013

God, Whose Almighty Word

Let There Be Light.

God, Whose Almighty Word is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the hymn by English poet and clergyman, John Marriott (1780-1825). Written in 1813, it was first published without credit or permission in 1825 as the 'Missionary Hymn'. It is by far his most well known hymn. It is set to the tune, Italian Hymn (Moscow) composed by Felice de Giardini (1716-1796). In the Liturgy of the Hours, God, Whose Almighty Word is used in the Office of Readings.



THOU, WHOSE ALMIGHTY WORD by John Marriott, 1813 (Public Domain)

1. Thou, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight;
hear us, we humbly pray,
and, where the Gospel day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light!

2. Thou who didst come to bring
on thy redeeming wing
healing and sight,
heal to the sick in mind,
sight to the in-ly blind,
now to all humankind,
let there be light!

3. Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving holy Dove,
speed forth thy flight!
Move on the waters' face
bearing the gifts of grace,
and in earth's darkest place,
let there be light!

4. Holy and blessèd Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might;
boundless as ocean's tide,
rolling in fullest pride,
through the world far and wide,
let there be light!

August 5, 2013

Liturgical Guide: Feast of the Transfiguration

Painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna - Courtesy of Wikipedia

The hymns used on the Feast of the Transfiguration in the Liturgy of the Hours celebrate the kingship of Christ over all creation and the revealing of his true nature. The setting for this "mountain top experience" looks back to where both Moses and Elijah speak with God on Mount Horeb (Sinai), but it also points forward to another mountain: Mt. Calvary, to where (despite Peter's protest to stay) they must also follow Jesus to. In the following video, Fr. James Kubicki, SJ. of the Apostleship of Prayer shares his own personal experience as a pilgrim journeying up Mt. Tabor, the location traditionally identified with the Feast of the Transfiguration which is celebrated on August 6.



LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
87. Lord, Your Glory in Christ We Have Seen
148. O Raise Your Eyes on High and See
149. 'Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
More Ancient than the Primal World

Lord, Your Word Abiding

Word of Consolation, Message of Salvation

Lord, Your Word Abiding is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the 1861 hymn written by the Anglican Vicar, Henry W. Baker (1821-1877). As ed­it­or-in-chief from 1860 to 1877 of Hymns: An­cient and Mo­dern, Baker con­tri­but­ed a number of hymns, tunes, and trans­la­tions to this influential and still popular hymnal. Lord, Your Word Abiding is set to the 1861 tune, Ravenshaw by William H.Monk (1823-1889), which he adapted from the 1531 tune, Ave Hierarchia composed by the Lutheran Pastor and contemporary of Martin Luther, Michael Weisse (c1488-c.1534). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during the Office of Readings.


Tune: Ravenshaw

LORD, THY WORD ABIDETH by Henry W. Baker, 1861 (Public Domain)

1. Lord, Thy Word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.

2. When our foes are near us,
Then Thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.

3. When the storms are o’er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

4. Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy Word imparted
To the simple hearted?

5. Word of mercy, giving
Succor to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!

6. O that we, discerning,
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!


Performed by the Ely Cathedral Choir