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.

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.

Holy Light on Earth’s Horizon

Mother of the World's Redeemer

Holy Light on Earth's Horizon is written by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). A convert to Catholicism from the Anglican Church, he is best known for his 1849 publication: Lyra Catholica, which contained hymn translations from the Roman Breviary and other Latin sources. In the Divine Office, Holy Light on Earth's Horizon is used for Feast Days of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is set to the 1905 tune: Blaenwern, by William Penfro Rowlands (1860-1937). The Welsh born Rowlands was a school teacher and choir conductor.


Tune: Blaenwern

HOLY LIGHT ON EARTH’S HORIZON by Edward Caswall (Public Domain)

1. Holy light on earth’s horizon,
star of hope to those who fall,
light amid a world of shadows,
dawn of God’s design for all,
chosen from eternal ages,
you alone of all our race,
by your Son’s atoning merits
were conceived in perfect grace.

2. Mother of the world’s Redeemer,
promised from the dawn of time:
how could one so highly favoured
share the guilt of Adam’s crime?
Sun and moon and stars adorn you,
sinless Eve, triumphant sign;
you it is who crushed the serpent,
Mary, pledge of life divine.

3. Earth below and highest heaven,
praise the splendour of your state,
you who now are crowned in glory
were conceived immaculate.
Hail, beloved of the Father,
Mother of his only Son,
mystic bride of Love eternal, hail,
O fair and spotless one!

All Ye Who Seek / Quicumque Certum Quæritis

New Grace, New Hope Inspire

All Ye Who Seek is a translation the 18th century anonymous Latin hymn, Quicumque Certum Quæritis. It was translated into English by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) and included in his 1849 publication, Lyra Ca­thol­i­ca. It is set to the tune: St. Bernard, an arrangement by John Ri­chard­son (1816-1879) of a chorale from the Toch­ter Si­on of 1741. In the Divine Office, All Ye Who Seek is used on the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

Tune: St. Bernard (Ri­chard­son)

ALL YE WHO SEEK FOR SURE RELIEF by Ed­ward Cas­wall, 1849 (Public Domain)

1. All ye who seek for sure relief
In trouble and distress,
Whatever sorrows vex the mind,
Or guilt the soul oppress,

2. Jesus, who gave Himself for you
Upon the cross to die,
Opens to you His sacred heart;
O to that heart draw nigh.

3. Ye hear how kindly He invites;
Ye hear His words so blest;
“All ye that labor come to me,
And I will give you rest.”

4. What meeker than the Saviour’s Heart?
As on the Cross He lay,
It did His murderers forgive,
And for their pardon pray.

5. O Heart, Thou joy of Saints on high,
Thou hope of sinners here,
Attracted by those loving words
To Thee I life my prayer.

6. Wash thou my wounds in that dear Blood,
Which forth from Thee doth flow;
New grace, new hope inspire, a new
And better heart bestow.


QUICUMQUE CERTUM QUAERITIS, (Public Domain)

1. Quicumque certum quæritis
Rebus levamen asperis:
Seu culpa mordet anxia,
Seu pœna vos premit comes.

2. Jesu, qui, ut agnus innocens,
Sese immolandum tradidit,
Ad cor reclusum vulnere,
Ad mite cor accedite.

3. Auditis ut suavissimis
Invitet omnes vocibus:
Venite quos gravat labor
Premitque pondus criminum:

4. Quid Corde Jesu mitius?
Jesum cruci qui affixerant
Excusat, et Patrem rogat
Ne perdat ultor impios.

5. O Cor, voluptas Cœlitum,
Cor, fida spes mortalium,
En hisce tracti vocibus,
Ad te venimus supplices.

6. Tu nostra terge vulnera
Ex te fluente sanguine
Tu da novum cor omnibus
Qui te gementes invocant.

Come, O Creator Spirit Blest / Ve­ni Cre­at­or Spir­it­us

Make Our Hearts O’erflow With Love

Come, O Creator Spirit Blest is a translation of the 9th century Latin Hymn, Ve­ni Cre­at­or Spir­it­us (see 2nd video) at­trib­ut­ed to Rha­ban­us Mau­rus (766-856). A Benedictine monk and theologian, he eventually became the Archbishop of Mainz and is considered one of the most important writers of the Carolingian Age. In 1849, the ancient Latin text was translated into English by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). It was included in his seminal work, the Lyra Ca­thol­i­ca: his collected translations of hymns from the Roman Breviary and Missal. The tune most associated with it is Lambillotte, written by the Belgium Jesuit, Fr. Louis Lambillotte (1797-1855). He was a composer and palaeographer of Church music. His efforts in palaeography involved the study, restoration, and standardizing of Gregorian Chant. Another translation of Ve­ni Cre­at­or Spir­it­us also used in the Liturgy of the Hours is Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, Come.


Tune: Lambillotte

COME, O CREATOR SPIRIT BLEST by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)

1. Come, O Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come, with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

2. Great Comforter, to Thee we cry;
O highest gift of God most high,
O Fount of life, O Fire of love,
And sweet anointing from above!

3. The sacred sevenfold grace is Thine,
Dread finger of the hand divine;
The promise of the Father Thou,
Who dost the tongue with power endow.

4. Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o’erflow with love;
With patience firm, and virtue high,
The weakness of our flesh supply.

5. Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.

6. O may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And evermore to hold confessed
Thyself of each the Spirit blest.

Gregorian Chant

VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS - Rabanus Maurus, 9th century (Public Domain)

1. Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis,
caritas et spiritalis unctio.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum
Patris sermone ditans guttura.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti. 

5. Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

6. Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Tantum Ergo / Down in Adoration Falling

Lo! the Sacred Host We Hail

Tantum Ergo was written by St. Thomas Aquinas. The words are taken from the final verses of the Vesper Hymn, Pange Lingua of the Office for Feast of Corpus Christi that Aquinas wrote in 1264 at the request of Pope Urban IV. Despite it's origins as part of the Divine Office, Tantum Ergo is more closely associated with it's prescribed use in the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In the 19th century it was translated by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) as Down in Adoration Falling (2nd video) which is traditionally sung to a tune from Cantus Diversi by John Francis Wade (1711-1786). In recent years a longer version of this translation was given a contemporary arrangement by the popular Catholic recording artist: Matt Maher (see 3rd video).

Gregorian (Singing starts at 1:05)

TANTUM ERGO SACRAMENTUM by Thomas Aquinas, 1264 (Public Domain)

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
rocedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen.


Tune by John Francis Wade

DOWN IN ADORATION FALLING - Translation by Edward Caswall (Public Domain)

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.

Additional words and music by Matt Maher

My God I Love Thee / O Deus Ego Amo Te

Basilica of Bom Jesus - Goa, India

My God I Love Thee is a translation of O Deus Ego Amo Te, attributed to the great Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552). It was likely written sometime in the 1540's during his time in India. The original text was likely composed as a sonnet in Spanish or Portuguese and then later translated into Latin, either by Xavier himself and/or by others, for there are several Latin versions. It has been translated into English many times. The most well known is the 1849 translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). In the Divine Office (1974) it is set to the tune, Everlasting Love. A more commonly used setting is to the tune, St. Fulbert (see 1st video). The 2nd video features a 2 stanza 18th century Latin hymn from the album, Angels and Saints At Ephesus performed by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. In the Divine Office, My God I Love Thee is used on Holy Saturday.

Tune: St. Fulbert

My God I Love Thee (Translation by Fr. Caswall)

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heaven thereby;
Nor yet since they who love Thee not
Must burn eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the Cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace;

And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
E’en death itself; and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well,
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
Or of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord?

E’en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy praise will sing,
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my eternal King.



O Deus Ego Amo Te (18th Century Hymn)

O Deus, ego amo te,
Nec amo te ut salves me,
Nec quod qui te non diligent,
Æterno igne pereunt.

Ex cruces lingo germinat,
Qui pectus amor occupant,
Ex pansis unde brachiis,
Ad te amandum arripes. Amen.


Traditional Latin Text

O Deus, ego amo te,
Nec amo te, ut salves me,
Aut, quia non amantes te
Æterno punis igne.

Tu, tu, mi Jesu, totum me
Amplexus es in cruce;
Tuliste clavos, lanceam,
Multamque ignominiam,

Innumeros dolores,
Sudores, et angores,
Et mortem, et hæc propter me,
Ac pro me peccatore.

Cur igitur non amem te,
O Jesu amantissime,
Non, ut in cœlo salves me,
Aut ne æternum damnes me,

Nec præmii ullius spe;
Sed sicut tu amasti me?
Sic amo et amabo te,
Solum quia Rex meus es,
Et solum, quia Deus es.

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities / O Sola Magnarum Urbium

Fairer Than the Sun at Morning

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities is a translation of the Latin poem, O Sola Magnarum Urbium by the Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius (348-c.413). He was a lawyer and Governor in Northern Spain. Although likely brought up a Christian (for he never writes of a conversion), later in life he experiences a profound sense of regret for his past zeal for career and worldly affairs. From then on he adopts an austere and penitential life and devotes his efforts to writing for the Glory of God. O Sola Magnarum Urbium was composed during this period. It is drawn from the lyrical poem Quicumque Christum Quærtis (Hymn for the Epiphany) from his collection, Liber Cathemerinon. In 1568, it was introduced into the revised Breviary by St. Pius V as the Lauds Hymn on Epiphany. In 1849 it was translated by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). It is set to the tune, Stuttgart attributed to Christian Friedrich Witt (1660-1716) and first published in the Psalmodia Sacra of 1715. In the Divine Office, Bethlehem of Noblest Cities is used during Christmas, at Epiphany, and other Feast Days of the Nativity.

Tune: Stuttgart

BETHLEHEM! OF NOBLEST CITIES by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)

1. Bethlehem! of noblest cities
none can once with thee compare;
thou alone the Lord from heaven
didst for us Incarnate bear.

2. Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told His birth;
to the lands their God announcing,
hid beneath a form of earth.

3. By its lambent beauty guided,
see the eastern kings appear;
see them bend, their gifts to offer:
gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.

4. Solem things of mystic meaning!
Incense doth the God disclose;
Gold a royal Child proclaimeth;
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

5. Holy Jesu, in Thy brightness
to the Gentile world displayed,
with the Father and the Spirit,
endless praise to Thee be paid.


O SOLA MAGNARUM URBIUM

1. O Sola magnarum urbium
maior Bethlehem, cui contigit
ducem salutis caelitus
incorporatum gignere.

2. Haec stella, quae solis rotam
vincit decore ac lumine,
venisse terris nuntiat
cum carne terrestri Deum.

3. Videre postquam illum Magi,
eoa promunt munera:
stratique votis offerunt
thus, myrrham, et aurum regium.

  4. Regem Deumque annuntiant
 thesaurus, et fragrans odor
 thuris Sabaei, ac myrrheus
 pulvis sepulchrum praedocet.

5. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui apparuisti gentibus,
cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula.

Mother of Christ, Hear Thou Thy People's Cry / Alma Redemptoris Mater

Gate of Heaven

Mother of Christ, Hear Thou Thy People's Cry is a translation by of the 11th century Latin hymn, Alma Redemptoris Mater composed by the Benedictine Abbot, St. Hermann Contractus of Reichenau (1013-1054). Crippled from birth and suffering from a paralytic condition, at the age of 7 he was placed in the care of the Benedictine monks on the Monastic Island of Reichenau. The Abbey was a center of arts and learning at the time. There he excelled, becoming an expert scholar, composer, music theorist, mathematician, and astronomer. Alma Redemptoris Mater was traditionally sung after Compline in the Roman Breviary and used from the First Sunday of Advent to the Feast of Purification (Feb. 2). In 1849 it was translated into English as Mother of Christ, Hear Thou Thy People's Cry by Fr. Edward Caswall and included in his collection, the Lyra Catholica.

MOTHER OF CHRIST, HEAR THOU THY PEOPLE'S CRY by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)

Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.



Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

To Christ, the Prince of Peace / Summi Parentis Filio

The Wound of Love He Bore

To Christ, the Prince of Peace is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the Edward Caswall (1814-1878) 1874 translation of the Latin hymn for Lauds in the Office of the Sacred Heart from the Roman Breviary, Summi Parentis Filio (see 2nd video). Although Caswall's original text is often sung to the tune, St. George; Petti's modern setting is to the William H. Havergal (1793-1870) adaption of Narenza, a melody first published in the Catholicum Hymnologium Germanicum of 1584. In the Liturgy of the Hours, To Christ, the Prince of Peace is used on the Feast of the Sacred Heart.


Tune: Narenza

TO CHRIST, THE PRINCE OF PEACE by Edward Caswall, 1874 (Public Domain)

1. To Christ, the Prince of peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
We lift our joyful cry.

2. Deep in His heart for us
The wound of love He bore,
That love which He enkindles still
In hearts that Him adore.

3. O Jesu, Victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That sacred heart of Thine?

4. O wondrous Fount of love,
O Well of waters free,
O heavenly Flame, refining Fire,
O burning Charity!

5. Hide us in Thy dear heart,
Jesu, our Savior blest,
So shall we find Thy plenteous grace
And Heav’n’s eternal rest.


Traditional Chant

SUMMI PARENTIS FILIO - Anonymous (Public Domain)

1. Summi Parentis Filio,
Patri futuri sæculi,
Pacis beatæ Principi,
Promamus ore canticum.

2. Qui vulneratus pectore
Amoris ictum pertulit,
Amoris urens ignibus
Ipsum qui amantem diligunt.

3. Jesu, doloris victima,
Quis te innocentem compulit,
Dura ut apertum lancea
Latus pateret vulneri?

4. O fons amoris inclyte!
O vena aquarum limpida,
O flamma adurens crimina!
O cordis ardens caritas!

5. In Corde, Jesu, jugiter
Reconde nos, ut uberi
Dono fruamur gratiæ,
Cœlique tandem præmiis.

6. Semper Parenti, et Filio,
Sit laus, honor, sit gloria,
Sancto simul Paraclito
In sæculorum sæcula. Amen

The Word of God Proceeding Forth / Verbum Supernum Prodiens

The Cross, Their Ransom Dearly Paid

The Word of God Proceeding Forth is an english translation of the original latin hymn written in 1264: Verbum Supernum (see 2nd video) by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). In the Roman Breviary it is used as the hymn at Lauds in the Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi. The final two stanzas are often sung at Benediction as the hymn: O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim). In 2008, the Catholic recording artist Tom Booth added a praise chorus to the english text for his song: O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Lamb). The version of The Word of God Proceeding Forth used in the Liturgy of the Hours is a combination of the work of three writers: John Mason Neale (1818-1866), Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878), and Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889). It is set to the 1790 tune Rockingham, attributed to Ed­ward Mill­er (1735-1807). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during Holy Week.

Tune: Rockingham

THE HEAVENLY WORD PROCEEDING FORTH by John Mason Neale, Edward Caswall, and others. (Public Domain)

1. The heavenly Word proceeding forth,
yet not leaving the Father's side,
went forth upon His work on earth
and reached at length life's eventide.

2. By false disciple to be given
to foemen for His Blood athirst,
Himself, the living Bread from heaven,
He gave to His disciples first.

3. To them He gave, in twofold kind,
His very Flesh, His very Blood:
of twofold substance man is made,
and He of man would be the Food.

4. By birth our fellowman was He,
our Food while seated at the board;
He died, our ransomer to be;
He ever reigns, our great reward.

5. O saving Victim, opening wide
the gate of heaven to all below:
our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

6. To Thy great Name be endless praise,
immortal Godhead, One in Three!
O grant us endless length of days
in our true native land with Thee. Amen.

Gregorian Chant

VERBUM SUPERNUM PRODIENS by St. Thomas Aquinas, 1264

1. Verbum supernum prodiens,
nec Patris linquens dexteram,
ad opus suum exiens,
venit ad vitae vesperam.

2. In mortem a discipulo
suis tradendus aemulis,
prius in vitae ferculo
se tradidit discipulis.

3. Quibus sub bina specie
carnem dedit et sanguinem;
ut duplicis substantiae
totum cibaret hominem.

4. Se nascens dedit socium,
convescens in edulium,
se moriens in pretium,
se regnans dat in praemium.

5. O salutaris hostia,
quae caeli pandis ostium,
bella premunt hostilia;
da robur, fer auxilium.

6. Uni trinoque Domino
sit sempiterna gloria:
qui vitam sine termino
nobis donet in patria. Amen.

I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory / Pange Lingua

Born for Us, and For Us Given

I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the English translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) of the 13th century Latin hymn, Pange Lingua by Saint Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-1274). Caswell's original translation: Sing, My Tongue, the Savior's Glory was first published in 1850, the same year he left the Anglican Church and converted to Catholicism; following in the footsteps of his friend, Cardinal Newman. Caswall's translations from latin were noted and respected for their faithfulness to the original text, while respecting the rhythm and lyrical qualities of his english verse. The Italian Dominican Priest and Doctor of the Church, Thomas Aquinas is famous as an influential philosopher and scholastic theologian. In 1264 Aquinas was commissioned by Pope Urban IV (c.1195-1264) to compose an Office for the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi (Acclaim, My Tongue, This Mystery) was one of several hymns written for the Office. Stanzas 5 and 6 (Tantum Ergo) are often sung at Benediction. In 2006, Catholic recording artist, Matt Maher recorded a contemporary version, Adoration that incorporates a praise chorus with the ancient text. The tune, Pange Lingua is sung in Mode III, Vatican Plainsong. In the Liturgy of the Hours, I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory is used during Holy Week.



PANGE, LINGUA, GLORIOSI by Thomas Aquinas, 1264 (Public Domain)

Pange, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte coenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et jubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.

Amen. Alleluja.

Hear the Herald Voice Resounding / Vox Clara Ecce Intonat

Welcome Christ, the Light of Day!

Hear the Herald Voice Resounding is based upon the 6th century Latin hymn, Vox Clara Ecce Intonat (see 2nd video), sung in the Roman Breviary at the Hour of Lauds during Advent. This version was translated by Edward Caswall (1814-1878) and included in his 1849 collection, Lyra Catholica. Caswall was a friend Cardinal John Newman (1801-1890). He followed Blessed Newman into the Catholic Church in 1850. Newman himself wrote a poem based upon the original latin text, Hark, A Joyful Voice is Thrilling. Caswall's hymn is set to the 1850 tune, Merton by William Henry Monk (1823-1889). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Hear the Herald Voice Resounding is used during Advent.

Tune: Merton

HARK! A HERALD VOICE IS CALLING by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)

1. Hark! a herald voice is calling:
'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say;
'Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!'

 2. Startled at the solemn warning,
 Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
 Shines upon the morning skies.

 3. Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;

 4. So when next he comes with glory,
Wrapping all the earth in fear,
May he then as our defender
Of the clouds of heaven appear.

 5. Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While unending ages run.

Gregorian Chant (Begins at 00:25)

VOX CLARA ECCE INTONAT (Public Domain)

1. Vox clara ecce intonat,
obscura quaeque increpat:
procul fugentur somnia;
ab aethere Christus promicat.

2. Mens iam resurgat torpida
quae sorde exstat saucia;
sidus refulget iam novum,
ut tollat omne noxium.

3. E sursum Agnus mittitur
laxare gratis debitum;
omnes pro indulgentia
vocem demus cum lacrimis.

4. Secundo ut cum fulserit
mundumque horror cinxerit,
non pro reatu puniat,
sed nos pius tunc protegat.

 5. Summo Parenti gloria
Natoque sit victoria,
et Flamini laus debita
per saeculorum saecula. Amen.

When Morning Fills the Sky

Our Hearts Awaking Cry.

When Morning Fills the Sky, also known as When Morning Gilds the Skies is an 1854 translation by Edward Caswall of an anonymous German hymn first published in the Catholisches Gesangbuch of 1828. A friend of Cardinal Newman, in 1847 Caswall resigned as a Priest of the Anglican Church and was welcomed into the Catholic Church. The music is by Louis Bourgeois, 16th century French composer best known for his work in the Calvinist, Genevan Psalter (1551) from which comes the tune O Seigneur (1st video). It is more commonly sung to the tune, Laudes Domini (2nd video). In the Liturgy of the Hours, When Morning Fills the Sky is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.





When Morning Gilds the Skies (Edward Caswall, 1854, Public Domain)

1. When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

2. When you begin the day, O never fail to say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
And at your work rejoice, to sing with heart and voice,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

3. Whene’er the sweet church bell peals over hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings, as joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

4. My tongue shall never tire of chanting with the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy, it never seems to cloy,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

5. Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

6. To God, the Word, on high, the host of angels cry,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise their voice in hymns of praise,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

7. Be this at meals your grace, in every time and place;
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past, of all your thoughts the last
May Jesus Christ be praised!

8. When mirth for music longs, this is my song of songs:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, this rings my curfew call,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

9. When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

10. The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

11. No lovelier antiphon in all high Heav’n is known
Than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word the eternal psalm is heard:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

12. Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

13. Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, ye that see His face,
Sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er, for aye and evermore,
Shall Jesus Christ be praised!

14. In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

15. Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!