Summae Deus Clementiae / Summae Parens Clementiae

Painting by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, 1934 - Courtesy Wikipedia

Summae Deus Clementiae is a 7th century anonymous hymn. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Summae Parens Clementiae. Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Saturday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

SUMMAE DEUS CLEMENTIAE (7th c., Anonymous)
Listen

1. Summae Deus clementiae
mundique factor machinae,
qui trinus almo numine
unusque firmas omnia,

2. Nostros piis cum canticis
fletus benigne suscipe,
quo corde puro sordibus
te perfruamur largius.

3. Lumbos adure congruis
tu caritatis ignibus,
accincti ut adsint perpetim
tuisque prompti adventibus,

4. Ut, quique horas noctium
nunc concinendo rumpimus,
donis beatae patriae
ditemur omnes affatim. 

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


SUMMAE PARENS CLEMENTIAE (1632 Revision)

1. Summae Parens clementiae,
mundi regis qui machinam,
unius et substantiae,
trinus personis Deus:

2. Nostros pius cum canticis
fletus benigne suscipe:
ut corde puro sordium
te perfruamur largius.

3. Lumbos iecurque morbidum
flammis adure congruis,
accincti ut artus excubent,
luxu remoto pessimo.

4. Quicumque ut horas noctium
nunc concinendo rumpimus,
ditemur omnes affatim
donis beatae patriae.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Tu Trinitatis Unitas

Painting by Max Furst - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Tu, Trinitatis Unitas is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Tu, Trinitatis Unitas (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Friday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

TU TRINITATIS UNITAS by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Tu, Trinitatis Unitas,
orbem potenter qui regis,
attende laudum cantica
e excubantes psallimus. 

2. Nam lectulo consurgimus
noctis quieto tempore,
ut flagitemus vulnerum
a te medelam omnium.

3. Quo, fraude quicquid daemonum
in noctibus deliquimus
abstergat illud caelitus
tuae potestas gloriae.

4. Te corde fido quaesumus,
reple tuo nos lumine,
per quod dierum circulis
nullis ruamus actibus.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


TU TRINITATIS UNITAS (1632 Revision)

1. Tu, Trinitatis Unitas,
orbem potenter quae regis,
attende laudis canticum
quod excubantes psallimus.

2. Nam lectulo consurgimus
noctis quieto tempore,
ut flagitemus omnium
a te medelam vulnerum.

3. Quo, fraude quidquid daemonum
in noctibus deliquimus
abstergat illud caelitus
tuae potestas gloriae.

4. Ob hoc, Redemptor, quaesumus,
reple tuo nos lumine,
per quod dierum circulis
nullis ruamus actibus.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Nox Atra Rerum Contegit

Dark Night has Drawn Her Curtains Round

Nox Atra Rerum Contegit is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  It is sung at Thursday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

NOX ATRA RERUM CONTEGIT by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Nox atra rerum contegit
terrae colores omnium:
nos confitentes poscimus
te, iuste iudex cordium, 

2. Ut auferas piacula
sordeque mentis abluas,
donesque, Christe, gratiam
ut arceantur crimina.

3. Mens, ecce, torpet impia,
quam culpa mordet noxia;
obscura gestit tollere
et te, Redemptor, quaerere. 

4. Repelle tu caliginem
intrinsecus quam maxime,
ut in beato gaudeat
se collocari lumine.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Rerum Creator Optime

Cast Out the Slumbers of the Soul

Rerum Creator Optime is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Rerum Creator Optime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Wednesday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

REMUM CREATOR OPTIME by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Rerum creator optime
rectorque noster, respice;
nos a quiete noxia
mersos sopore libera.

2. Te, sancte Christe, poscimus;
ignosce tu criminibus,
ad confitendum surginmus
morasque noctis rumpimus.

3. Mentes manusque tollimus,
Propheta sicut noctibus
nobis gerendum praecipit
Paulusque gestis censuit.

4. Vides malum quod gessimus;
occulta nostra pandimus,
preces gementes fundimus;
dimitte quod peccavimus.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


REMUM CREATOR OPTIME (1632 Revision)

1. Rerum creator optime
rectorque noster, respice;
nos a quiete noxia
mersos sopore libera.

2. Te, sancte Christe, poscimus;
ignosce culpis omnibus,
ad confitendum surginmus
morasque noctis rumpimus.

3. Mentes manusque tollimus,
Propheta sicut noctibus
nobis gerendum praecipit
Paulusque gestis censuit.

4. Vides malum quod fecimus;
occulta nostra pandimus,
preces gementes fundimus;
dimitte quod peccavimus.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Consors Paterni Luminis

O Light of Light, O Dayspring Bright, Coequal in Thy Father's Light

Consors Paterni Luminis was once attributed to St. Ambrose (c.340-397),  but modern scholars are today unsure of it's origins. It is sung at Tuesday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

CONSORS PATERNI LUMINIS by St. Ambrose
Listen

1. Consors paterni luminis,
lux ipse lucis et dies,
noctem canendo rumpimus:
assiste postulantibus.

2. Aufer tenebras mentium,
fuga catervas daemonum,
expelle somnolentiam
ne pigritantes obruat.

3. Sic, Christe, nobis omnibus
indulgeas credentibus
ut prosit exorantibus
quod praecinentes psallimus.

4. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Aeterna Lux, Divinitas

Eternal Light, Divinity, O Unity in Trinity

Ætérna Lux, Divínitas is an anonymous Latin hymn which was first published in the Co­rol­la Hym­no­rum, Köln, 1806. It is sung at Monday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

ATERNA LUX, DIVINITAS (Public Domain)
Listen

1. Ætérna lux, divínitas,
in unitáte Trínitas,
te confitémur débiles,
te deprecámur súpplices.

2. Summum Paréntem crédimus
Natúmque Patris únicum,
et caritátis vínculum
qui iungit illos Spíritum.

3. O véritas, o cáritas,
o finis et felícitas,
speráre fac et crédere,
amáre fac et cónsequi.

4. Qui finis et exórdium
rerúmque fons es ómnium,
tu solus es solácium,
tu certa spes credéntium.

5. Qui cuncta solus éfficis
cunctísque solus súfficis,
tu sola lux es ómnibus
et præmium sperántibus. 

6. Christum rogámus et Patrem,
Christi Patrísque Spíritum;
unum potens per ómnia,
fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

Somno Refectis Artubus

While We Sing Thy Praises, O Father Be Present Here

Somno Refectis Artubus is attributed to St. Ambrose (c.340-397).  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Somno Refectis Artubus (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Monday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

SOMNO REFLECTIS ARTUBUS by St. Ambrose
Listen

1. Somno refectis artubus,
spreto cubili, surgimus:
nobis, Pater, canentibus
adesse te deposcimus.

2. Te lingua primum concinat,
te mentis ardor ambiat,
ut actuum sequentium
tu, sancte, sis exordium.

3. Cedant tenebrae lumini
et nox diurno sideri,
ut culpa, quam nox intulit,
lucis labascat munere.

4. Precamur idem supplices
noxas ut omnes amputes,
et ore te canentium
lauderis in perpetuum.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


SOMNO REFLECTIS ARTUBUS (1632 Revision)

1. Somno refectis artubus,
spreto cubili, surgimus:
nobis, Pater, canentibus
adesse te deposcimus.

2. Te lingua primum concinat,
te mentis ardor ambiat,
ut actuum sequentium
tu, sancte, sis exordium.

3. Cedant tenebrae lumini
et nox diurno sideri,
ut culpa, quam nox intulit,
lucis labascat munere.

4. Precamur idem supplices
noxas ut omnes amputes,
et ore te canentium
lauderis in omni tempore

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Primo Dierum Omnium / Primo Die, Quo Trinitas

St. Gregory the Great - Image by Wikipedia

Primo Dierum Omnium is attributed to Pope St. Gregory I (540-604). In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644) it was changed to Primo Die, Quo Trinitas. Both versions are shown below. It is sung on Sundays at Matins in the Roman Breviary.

PRIMO DIERUM OMNIUM

1. Primo dierum omnium,
quo mundus exstat conditus
vel quo resurgens conditor
nos, morte victa, liberat.

2. Pulsis procul torporibus,
surgamus omnes ocius,
et nocte quaeramus pium,
sicut Prophetam novimus.

3. Nostras preces ut audiat
suamque dexteram porrigat,
et hic piatos sordibus
 reddat polorum sedibus,

4. Ut quique sacratissimo
huius diei tempore
horis quietis psallimus,
donis beatis muneret.

5. Iam nunc, Paterna claritas,
te postulamus affatim:
absit libido sordidans,
omnisque actus noxius.

6. Ne foeda sit, vel lubrica
compago nostri corporis,
per quam averni ignibus
ipsi crememur acrius. 

7. Ob hoc, Redemptor, quaesumus,
ut probra nostra diluas:
vitae perennis commoda
nobis benignus conferas.

8. Quo carnis actu exsules
effecti ipsi caelibes,
ut praestolamur cernui,
melos canamus gloriae.

9. Praesta, Pater, piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.


PRIMO DIE, QUO TRINITAS

1. Primo die, quo Trinitas
beata mundum condidit,
vel quo resurgens Conditor
nos, morte victa, liberat:

2. Pulsis procul torporibus,
surgamus omnes ocius,
et nocte quaeramus Deum,
propheta sicut praecipit:

3. Nostras preces ut audiat,
suamque dexteram porrigat,
et expiatos sordibus
reddat polorum sedibus:

4. Ut quique sacratissimo
huius diei tempore
horis quietis psallimus,
donis beatis muneret.

5. Iam nunc, Paterna claritas,
te postulamus affatim:
absint faces libidinous,
et omnis actus noxius.

6. Ne foeda sit, vel lubrica
compago nostri corporis,
ob cuius ignes ignibus
avernus urat acrius.

7. Mundi Redemptor, quaesumus,
Tu probra nostra diluas:
nobisque largus commoda
vitae perennis conferas.

8. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.

Hic Est Dies Verus Dei

Painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hic Est Dies Virus Dei is an anonymous Ambrosian hymn which is sung at Matins (Office of Readings) throughout the Easter season in the Roman Breviary.



HIC EST DIES VERUS DEI

1. Hic est dies verus Dei,
sancto serénus lúmine,
quo díluit sanguis sacer
probrósa mundi crímina.

2. Fidem refúndit pérditis
cæcósque visu illúminat;
quem non gravi solvit metu
latrónis absolútio?

3. Opus stupent et ángeli,
pœnam vidéntes córporis
Christóque adhæréntem reum
vitam beátam cárpere.

4. Mystérium mirábile,
ut ábluat mundi luem,
peccáta tollat ómnium
carnis vítia mundans caro,

5. Quid hoc potest sublímius,
ut culpa quærat grátiam,
metúmque solvat cáritas
reddátque mors vitam novam?

6. Esto perénne méntibus
paschále, Iesu, gáudium
et nos renátos grátiæ tuis
triúmphis ággrega.

7. Iesu, tibi sit glória,
qui morte victa prǽnites,
cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
in sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

Christe, Cælorum Domine

13th Century Byzantine Icon - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Christe, Cælorum Domine is the hymn for Matins (Office of Readings) on Holy Saturday in the Roman Breviary.


Gregorian Chant

CHRISTE, CAELORUM DOMINE

1. Christe, cælórum Dómine,
mundi salvátor máxime,
qui crucis omnes múnere
mortis solvísti légibus,

2. Te nunc orántes póscimus,
tua consérves múnera,
quæ sacra per mystéria
cunctis donásti géntibus. 

3. Tu agnus mitis, ínnocens,
oblátus terræ víctima,
sanctórum vestes ómnium
tuo lavásti sánguine.

4. Quos redemísti prétio
tui sacráti córporis,
cælo resúrgens ádvehis
ubi te laudant pérpetim.

5. Quorum nos addas número,
te deprecámur, Dómine,
qui Patri nos ex ómnibus
fecísti regnum pópulis. Amen.

Liturgical Guide: Office of Readings (Matins)

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." - Acts 16:25

The hymns selected for the Office of Readings (Matins) in the Liturgy of the Hours prepare our hearts and minds for the contemplation of the Word of God. While today's Matins has retained some of it's former character as a nocturnal prayer (and can still be used as such), the modern Office of Readings can be prayed at any time during the day because it takes it's theme not from the time of day (as the other hours) but rather, from the seasons and feast days that make up the liturgical year.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

186. God of Truth Prepare Our Minds

187. Lord, Your Word Abiding

188. God, Whose Almighty Word

189. Eternal Father, Through Your Word

190. In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man

191. Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
132. Be Thou My Vision
133. O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds
134. Worship, Glory, Praise and Honour
135. Bright as Fire in Darkness
136. Eternal Father, Through Your Word
137. In Ancient Times, God Spoke to Man
138. How Great the Tale
139. This Day, at Thy Creating Word
140. All Creatures of Our God and King
141. Come Spirit Blest, with God the Son
142. O God of Truth and Lord of Power
143. O God, Creation's Secret Force
144. Where True Love is Dwelling, God is Dwelling There
145. God Hath Spoken by His Prophets
146. Immortal, Invisible

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterna Lux, Divinitas
Consors Paterni Luminis
Noc­te Sur­gen­es
Nox Atra Rerum Contegit
Rerum Creator Optime
Somno Refectis Artubus
Summae Deus Clementiae
Summae Parens Clementiae
Te Deum
Tu Trinitatis Unitas

Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over / Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vi­gil­e­mus Om­nes

Thine is the Glory, Gleaming and Resounding

Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is a translation of a 6th century Latin hymn: Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vigilemus Omnes, historically attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604), but some scholars suggest that the Carolingian Court poet and theologian, Alcuin of York (735-804) may instead be the author. In the Roman Breviary it is traditionally sung at Sunday Matins. In 1906 it was translated by the Anglican Priest and liturgist, Percy Dearmer (1867-1936). He, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) worked as co-editors on some of the most influential and widely used hymnals of the time, including: the English Hymnal (1906), Songs of Praise (1925), and the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is set to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, first published in the Paris Antiphoner of 1681. In the Divine Office it is sung at Morning Prayer.

Tune: Christe Sanctorum

FATHER, WE PRAISE THEE, NOW THE NIGHT IS OVER by Percy Dearmer, 1906 (Public Domain)

1. Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,
Active and watchful, stand we all before thee;
Singing we offer prayer and meditation:
Thus we adore thee.

2. Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;
Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;
Bring us to heaven, where thy saints united
Joy without ending.

3. All holy Father, Son, and equal Spirit,
Trinity blessed, send us thy salvation;
Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding
Through all creation.


NOCTE SURGENTES by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Nocte surgentes vigilemus omnes,
semper in psalmis meditemur atque
viribus totis Domino canamus
dulciter hymnos,

2. Ut, pio regi pariter canentes,
cum suis sanctis mereamur aulam
ingredi caeli, simul et beatam
ducere vitam.

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name / Te Deum

Hark the glad celestial hymn

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, first published 1774 was written by Ig­naz Franz (1719-1790). It is based upon the text of the early Latin hymn, Te Deum which is today prayed at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings on Solemnities and on Sundays outside of Lent. The 1858 English translation from the original German was by Fr. Clarence Walworth (1820-1900), an American Catholic who practiced law before entering into the Priesthood. It is set to the tune Grosser Gott (Te Deum), first published in 1774 it has been attributed to Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name is used during Ordinary Time for Night Prayer.
 

HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME by Clarence Walworth, 1858 (Public Domain)

1. Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign. (2X)

2. Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy, Lord. (2X)

3. Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun, Through the Church the song goes on. (2X)

4. Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee, While we own the mystery. (2X)

5. Thou art King of glory,
Christ: Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death, Thou has opened Heaven to faith. (2X)

6. From Thy high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that Thou shalt come
In the dreaded doomsday morning;
When Thy voice shall shake the earth, And the startled dead come forth. (2X)

7. Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee; Never, Lord, abandon me. (2X)


Gregorian Chant

TE DEUM, Anonymous (Public Domain)

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,
R. Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum. Amen