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.

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.

Now It is Evening, Time to Cease From Labour

Be Thou Our Guardian Through the Hours of Darkness

Now It is Evening, Time to Cease From Labour is a translation of the hymn Die Nacht ist Kom­men Drin Wir Ruh­en Sol­len by Peter Herbert (c.1530-1571) of Moravia. It was first published in the Brethren's German Hymn Book of 1566 of which he was one of the editors, contributing over 100 hymns. Also known as Petrus Herbertus, he was an ordained Priest of the Unity of the Brethren. He played a important role in this early Protestant denomination; as a member of the Select Council, and as an emissary to prominent people of the day including to Emperor Maximilian II and John Calvin. The full text of Now It is Evening, Time to Cease From Labour can be found here, used as the hymn for Night Prayer. It is sung to the tune, Christe Sanctorum from the Par­is An­ti­phon­er of 1681.


Tune: Christe Sanctorum

Christ is the World's Light

He became our brother.

Christ is the World's Light was written in 1969 by Methodist Minister, Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000). A prolific hymn writer, his work often reflected his concern for social issues. It is set to, Christe Sanc­tor­um from the Par­is An­ti­phon­er (1681). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Christ is the World's Light is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

Darkness Has Faded

Dawn that Ends Our Darkness.

Darkness Has Faded is set to Christe Sanctorum, an old French church melody first published in the Paris Antiphoner (1681). The words are by the Scottish Priest, theologian, and hymn writer: James Quinn, S.J. It was first published in 1969 as part of 'New Hymns for All Seasons'. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Darkness Has Faded is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.