The Mount of Olives Witnesseth / In Monte Olivis Consito

Painting by Andrea Mantegna, 1460 - Courtesy of Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - The Mount of Olives Witnesseth is a translation by Fr. Hugh T. Henry (1862-1946) of In Monte Olivis Consito by Fr. Augustine Thomas Ricchini, OP (1695-1779). In 1757, Fr. Ricchini composed this hymn along with 3 others for the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. Originally included only in the Dominican Breviary, they were added to the Roman Breviary in 1888. The four hymns are essentially one work: the first 3 hymns are comprised of 5 stanzas each (plus doxology) which correspond to the 15 mysteries of the traditional Rosary. The final hymn: Te Gestientem Gaudiis (the only one in use today) is a recapitulation of the first three hymns. In the Roman Breviary, In Monte Olivis Consito (which has as it's theme: the Sorrowful Mysteries) was traditionally sung at Matins on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary (Oct. 7). The Mount of Olives Witnesseth can be sung to any hymn tune with 8.8.8.8 metre such as the 7th century Latin hymn: Creator Alme Siderum, as featured in the following video.

Tune: Creator Alme Siderum

THE MOUNT OF OLIVES WITNESSETH by Alan G. McDougal

1. The Mount of Olives witnesseth
The awful agony of God:
His soul is sorrowful to death,
His sweat of blood bedews the sod.

2. And now the traitor's work is done:
The clamorous crowds around Him surge;
Bound to pillar, God the Son
Quivers beneath the blood-red scourge.

3. Lo! clad in purple soiled and worn,
Meekly the Savior waiteth now
While wretches plait the cruel thorn
To crown with shame His royal brow.

4. Sweating and sighing, faint with loss
Of what hath flowed from life's red fount,
He bears the exceeding heavy Cross
Up the verge of Calvary's mount.

5. Nailed to the wood of ancient curse,
Between two thieves the Sinless One
Still praying for His murderers,
Breathes forth His soul, and all is done!

6. All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.


IN MONTE OLIVIS CONSITO BY Augustine Thomas Ricchini

1. In monte olivis consito
Redemptor orans procidit,
Maeret, pavescit, deficit,
Sudore manans sanguinis.

2. A proditore traditus
Raptatur in poenas Deus,
Durisque vinctus nexibus,
Flagris cruentis caeditur. 

3. Intexta acutis sentibus,
Corona contumeliae,
Squalenti amictum purpura,
Regem coronat gloriae.

4. Molis crucem ter arduae,
Sudans, anhelans, concidens,
Ad montis usque verticem
Gestare vi compellitur.

5. Confixus atro stipite
Inter scelestos innocens,
Orando pro tortoribus,
Exsanguis efflat spiritum.

6. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

The Messenger from God's High Throne / Caelestis Aulae Nuntius

Painting by Paolo de Matteis, 1721 - Courtesy of Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - The Messenger from God's High Throne is a translation by the Catholic convert, Alan G. McDougall (1895-1964) of Caelestis Aulae Nuntius by Fr. Augustine Thomas Ricchini, OP (1695-1779). In 1757, Fr. Ricchini composed this hymn along with 3 others for the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. Originally included only in the Dominican Breviary, they were added to the Roman Breviary in 1888. The four hymns are essentially one work: the first 3 hymns are comprised of 5 stanzas each (plus doxology) which correspond to the 15 mysteries of the traditional Rosary. The final hymn: Te Gestientem Gaudiis (the only one in use today) is a recapitulation of the first three hymns. In the Roman Breviary, Caelestis Aulae Nuntius (which has as it's theme: the Joyful Mysteries) was traditionally sung at 1st Vespers on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary (Oct. 7). The Messenger from God's High Throne can be sung to any hymn tune with 8.8.8.8 metre such as the 7th century Latin hymn: Creator Alme Siderum, as featured in the following video.

Tune: Creator Alme Siderum


THE MESSENGERS FROM GOD'S THRONE by Alan G. McDougall

1. The Messenger from God's high throne
His secret counsel making known
Hails Mary, child of David's race,
God's Virgin Mother, full of grace.

2. The Mother Maid with joyous feet
Her friend, John's mother, goes to greet;
He, stirring in the enclosing womb,
Declares that Christ his Lord has come.

3. The Word, who ere the worlds began,
From God the Father's thought forth ran,
Of Mary, Virgin undefiled,
For us is born a mortal child.

4. Christ to the Temple courts they bring;
The King's own law subjects the King;
The world's Redeemer for a price
is there redeemed, our sacrifice.

5. The joyful Mother finds once more
The Son she mourned as lost before;
While doctors by His speech were shown
The mysteries they had never known.

6. All honor laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.



CAELESTIS AULAE NUNTIUS by Fr. Augustine Thomas Ricchini

1. Caelestis aulae Nuntius,
Arcana pandens Numinis,
Plenam salutat gratia
Dei Parentem Virginem. 

2. Virgo propinquam sanguine
Matrem Ioannis visitat,
Qui, clausus alvo, gestiens
Adesse Christum nuntiat.

3. Verbum, quod ante saecula
E mente Patris prodiit,
E Matris alvo Virginis,
Mortalis Infans nascitur. 

4. Templo puellus sistitur,
Legique paret Legifer,
Hic se Redemptor paupere
Pretio redemptus immolat.

5. Quem iam dolebat perditum,
Mox laeta Mater invenit
Ignota doctis mentibus
Edisserentem Filium. 

6. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula.

Ruler of the Dread Immense! / Aeterne Rector Siderum

Marcantonio Franceschini (1648-1729) - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Ruler of the Dread Immense! is a translation by the Catholic convert Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) of Aeterne Rector Siderum by St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ (1542-1621). Bellarmine, one of leading Cardinals of the Counter-Reformation and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1931. Despite his extensive and pressing work in the theological and ecclesiastical matters of his day, he also found time to compose a number of poems in Italian and Latin. In the Roman Breviary  Aeterne Rector Siderum is sung at Lauds on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels (October 2). Ruler of the Dread Immense! can be sung to Culbach, as featured in the following video.

 Tune: Culbach


RULER OF THE DREAD IMMENSE! by Edward Caswall

1. Ruler of the dread immense!
Maker of this mighty frame!
Whose eternal providence
Guides it, as from Thee it came:

 2. Low before Thy throne we bend;
Hear our supplicating cries;
And Thy light celestial send
With the freshly dawning skies.

3. King of kings, and Lord most High!
This of Thy dear love we pray:
May Thy Guardian Angel nigh,
Keep us from all sin this day.

4.May he crush the deadly wiles
Of the envious serpent's art,
Ever spreading cunning toils
Round about the thoughtless heart

5. May he scatter ruthless war
Ere to this our land it come;
Plague and famine drive away,
Fix securely peace at home.

 6. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One eternal Trinity!
Guard by Thy Angelic host
Us who put our trust in Thee.


AETERNE RECTOR SIDERUM by Robert Bellarmine

1. Aeterne Rector siderum
Qui, quidquid est, potentia
Magna creasti, nec regis
Minore providentia

2. Adesto supplicantium
Tibi reorum cœtui,
Lucisque su crepusculum
Lucem novam da mentibus.

3. Tuusque nobis Angelus
Electus ad custodiam,
Hic adsit, a contagio
Ut criminum nos protegat.

4. Nobis draconis æmuli
Versutias exterminet;
Ne rete fraudulentiæ
Incauta nectat pectora.

5. Metum repellat hostium
Nostris procul de finibus,
Pacem procuret civium
Fugetque pestilentiam. 

6. Deo Patri sit gloria
Qui, quos redemit Filius
Et sanctus unxit Spiritus
Per Angelos custodiat.

Angel-Guardians of Men / Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos

Painting by Domenichino (1581-1641) - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Angel-Guardians of Men is a translation by Alan G. McDougall (1895-1964) of Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos by St. Robert Bellarmine SJ. (1542-1621). Bellarmine, one of leading Cardinals of the Counter-Reformation and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1931. Despite his extensive and pressing work in theological and ecclesiastical matters, he also found time to compose a number of poems in Italian and Latin. In the Roman Breviary Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos is sung at Vespers on the Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2).


ANGEL-GUARDIANS OF MEN by Alan G. McDougall

1. Angel-Guardians of men, spirits and powers we sing,
Whom our Father hath sent, aids to our weakly frame,
Heavenly friends and guides, help from on high to bring,
Lest we fail through the foeman's wile.

2. He, the spoiler of souls, Angel-traitor of old,
Cast in merited wrath out of his honored place,
Burns with envy and hate, seeking their souls to gain
Whom God's mercy invites to heaven.

3. Therefore come to our help, watchful ward of our lives:
Turn aside from the land, God to thy care confides
Sickness and woe of soul, yea, and what else of ill
Peace of heart to its folk denies.

4. Now to the Holy Three praise evermore resound:
Under whose hand divine resteth the triple world
Governed in wondrous wise: glory be theirs and might
While the ages unending run.


CUSTODES HOMINUM PSALLIMUS ANGELOS by Robert Bellarmine SJ.

1. Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
naturae fragili quos Pater addidit
caelestis comites, insidiantibus
ne succumberet hostibus.

2. Nam, quod corruerit proditor angelus,
concessis merito pulsus honoribus,
ardens invidia, pellere nititur
quos caelo Deus advocat.

3. Huc, custos, igitur pervigil advola,
avertens patria de tibi credita
tam morbos animi, quam requiescere
quidquid non sinit incolas.

4. Sanctae sit Triadi laus pia iugiter,
cuius perpetuo numine machina
triplex haec regitur, cuius in omnia
regnat gloria saecula. Amen.

Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration / Christe, Sanctorum

Painting by Guido Reni, 1636 - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration is a translation by the Anglican priest, Fr. Thomas Isaac Ball (1838-1916) of Christe, Sanctorum usually ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (c.776-856). Educated under the Carolingian scholar, theologian, and poet Alcuin of York, Rabanus Maurus was ordained a priest in 814, then made the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda in 822,  and after retiring was appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 847. In the Roman Breviary Christe, Sanctorum is traditionally sung at Lauds on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29). Both Christe, Sanctorum and Christ, of the Angels' Praise and Adoration can be sung to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, an old French church melody first published in the Paris Antiphoner (1681).


CHRIST, OF THE ANGELS PRAISE AND ADORATION by T.I. Ball

1. Christ, of the Angels praise and adoration,
Father and Saviour Thou, of every nation,
Graciously grant us all to gain a station,
Where Thou art reigning.

2. Angel all peaceful, to our dwellings send us,
Michael, from heaven coming to befriend us,
Breathing serenest peace may he attend us,
Grim war dispelling.

3. Angel of strength, who triumphed, tumults quelling,
Gabriel send us, ancient foes expelling,
Oft in these temples may he make his dwelling,
Dear unto heaven.

4. Angel Physician, health on man bestowing,
Raphael send us from the skies all glowing,
All sickness curing, wisest counsel showing
In doubt and danger.

5. May the fair Mother of the Light be o'er us,
Virgin of peace, with all the Angel chorus,
And may the heavenly army go before us,
Guiding and guarding.

6. 0 May the Godhead, endless bliss possessing,
Father, Son, Spirit, grant to us this blessing;
All His creation joins His praise confessing,
Now and forever.

Tune: Christe Sanctorum


CHRISTE, SANCTORUM attributed to Rabanus Maurus

1. Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum,
Gentis humanae sator et redemptor,
Caelitum nobis tribuas beatas
Scandere sedes.

 2. Angelus pacis Michael in aedes
Coelitus nostras veniat, serenae
Auctor ut pacis lacrimosa in orcum
Bella releget.

 3. Angelus fortis Gabriel, ut hostes
Pellat antiquos, et arnica ccelo,
Quse triumphator statuit per orbem,
Temp la revisat.

4. Angelus nostrae medicus salutis,
Adsit e coelo Raphael, ut omnes
Sanet aegrotos, dubiosque vitae
Dirigat actus.

5. Virgo dux pacis, Genitrixque lucis,
Et sacer nobis chorus Angelorum
Semper assistat, simul et micantis
Regia coeli.

6. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti
Spiritus, cujus resonat per omnem
Gloria mundum.

Liturgical Guide: Feast of Holy Guardian Angels

Painting by Melchior Paul von Deschwanden - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - The Feast of Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2. It was added to the Roman Calendar in 1608 by Pope Paul V. Paragraph #336 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states this regarding Guardian Angels: "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life' - St. Basil. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."


Apostleship of Prayer

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

151. Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him

152. They Come, God's Messengers of Love

153. You Holy Angels Bright

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
They Come, God's Messengers of Love

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterne Rector Siderum
Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos

Thee, O Christ, The Father's Splendour / Tibi Christe Splendor Patris

14th Century Byzantine Icon - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Thee, O Christ, the Father's Splendour is a 1851 translation by the Anglican Priest, Fr. John Mason Neale of Tibi Christe Splendor Patris usually ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (c.776-856). Educated under the Carolingian scholar, theologian, and poet Alcuin of York, Rabanus Maurus was ordained a Priest in 814, then made the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda in 822,  and after retiring was appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 847. In the Roman Breviary, Tibi Christe Splendor Patris is traditionally sung at Vespers and Matins on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29). Thee, O Christ, the Father's Splendour is sung to the tune: Unser Herrscher by the German composer Joachim Neander (1650-1680). Related: O Jesu, Life Springing of the Soul / Te Splendor et Virtus Patris.


THEE, O CHRIST, THE FATHER'S SPLENDOUR by John Mason Neale, 1851

1. Thee, O Christ, the Father's splendour,
Life and virtue of the heart,
In the presence of the Angels
Sing we now with tuneful art,
Meetly in alternate chorus
Bearing our responsive part.

2. Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky;
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate,
Of celestial chivalry,
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.

3. By whose watchful care repelling -
King of everlasting grace -
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base,
Grant us of thine only goodness
In thy Paradise a place.

4. Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

Tune: Unser Herrscher


TIBI CHRISTE SPLENDOR PATRIS attributed to Rabanus Maurus

1. Tibi Christe splendor Patris,
Vita, virtus cordium,
In conspectu Angelorum
Votis, voce psallimus:
Alternantes concrepando
Melos damus vocibus.

2. Collaudamus venerantes
Omnes coeli principes,
Sed praecipue primatem
Coelestis exercitus
Michaelem, in virtute
Conterentem zabulum.

3. Quo custode procul pelle,
Rex Christe piissime,
Omne nefas inimici:
Mundo corde et corpore
Paradiso redde tuo
Nos sola clementia.

4. Gloriam Patri melodis
Personemus vocibus:
Gloriam Christo canamus,
Gloriam Paraclito:
Qui trinus, et unus Deus
Exstat ante saecula.


Gregorian Chant

O Jesu, Life Springing of the Soul / Te Splendor et Virtus Patris

Painting by Jaume Huguet (1412-1492) - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - O Jesu! Life-Spring of the Soul by the Catholic convert Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) is a translation of Te Splendor et virtus Patris usually ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (c.776-856). Educated under the Carolingian scholar, theologian, and poet Alcuin of York, Rabanus Maurus was ordained a Priest in 814, then made the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda in 822,  and after retiring was appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 847. In the Roman Breviary, Te Splendor is traditionally sung at Vespers and Matins on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29). It can be sung to: Winchester New (as shown below) or any tune in 8.8.8.8 metre. Related: Thee, O Christ, The Father's Splendour / Tibi Christe Splendor Patris.

Tune: Winchester New


O JESU! LIFE-SPRING OF THE SOUL - by Fr. Edward Caswall

1. O Jesu! Life-spring of the soul!
The Father's power and glory bright!
Thee with the Angels we extol;
From Thee they draw their life and light.

2. 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.

3. He in that Sign the rebel powers
Did with their Dragon Prince expel;
And hurled them from the heavens high towers,
Down like a thunderbolt to hell.

4. Grant us, with Michael, still,
0 Lord, Against the prince of pride to fight;
So may a crown,be our reward,
Before the Lamb's pure throne of light.

5. To God the Father, with the Son
And Holy Paraclete, with Thee,
As evermore hath been before,
Be glory through eternity.


TE SPLENDOR ET VIRTUS PATRIS - attributed to Rabanus Maurus

1. Te splendor et virtus Patris,
Te vita, Jesu, cordium,
Ab ore qui pendent tuo,
Laudamus inter Angelos.

2. Tibi mille densa millium
Ducum corona militat:
Sed explicat victor crucem
Michael salutis signifer.

3. Draconis hie dirum caput
In ima pellit tartara,
Ducemque cum rebellibus
Ccelesti ab arce fulminat.

4. Contra ducem superbiae
Sequamur hunc nos principem,
Ut detur ex Agni throno
Nobis corona gloriae.

5. Patri, simulque Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus,
Sicut fuit, sit jugiter
Saeclum per omne gloria.