Lucis Creator Optime

O'er the Forming World Didst Call the Light from Chaos First of All

Lucis Creator Optime is usually 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 Lucis Creator Optime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Sunday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.


Performed by Schola Gregoriana Monostorinensis

LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME by St. Gregory the Great
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1. Lucis Creator optime
lucem dierum proferens,
primordiis lucis novae,
mundi parans originem:

2. Qui mane iunctum vesperi
diem vocari praecipis:
tetrum chaos illabitur,
audi preces cum fletibus. 

3. Ne mens gravata crimine,
vitae sit exsul munere,
dum nil perenne cogitat,
seseque culpis illigat.

4. Caeleste pulset ostium:
vitale tollat praemium:
vitemus omne noxium:
purgemus omne pessimum. 

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


LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME (1632)

1. Lucis creator optime
Lucem dierum proferens,
Primordiis lucis novæ
Mundi parans originem,

2. Qui mane iunctum vesperi
Diem vocari præcipis,
Illabitur tætrum chaos,
Audi preces cum fletibus,

3. Ne mens gravata crimine,
Vitae sit exsul munere,
Dum nil perenne cogitat,
Seseque culpis illigat;

4. Cæleste pulset ostium,
Vitale tollat præmium,
Vitemus omne noxium,
Purgemus omne pessimum.

5. Præsta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.