Sweet Savior, Bless Us

O Gentle Jesus, Be Our Light

Sweet Saviour, Bless Us was written in 1849 by Father Fredrick William Faber (1814-1863) to be sung as an evening hymn. He was the founder and first Provost of the London Oratory. It was established in 1849 at the request of Cardinal John Henry Newman. The Oratorio's first home was in a converted liquor store and dance hall. That same time period saw an influx into London of Irish fleeing the Great Famine. Many were destitute, and Fr. Faber worked tirelessly as their Pastor until his death in 1863. The present Neo-Baroque building was consecrated in 1884 and remained the focal point of the Catholic Church in London until the opening of Westminster Cathedral in 1903.


Tune: Sunset

SWEET SAVIOR, BLESS US ERE WE GO by Frederick Faber, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. Sweet Savior, bless us ere we go;
Thy Word into our minds instill,
And make our lukewarm hearts to glow
With lowly love and fervent will.

Refrain: Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
              O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

2. The day is done, it's hours have run,
And Thou hast taken count of all,
The scanty triumphs grace hath won,
The broken vow, the frequent fall.

3. Grant us, dear Lord, from evil ways
True absolution and release:
And bless us, more than in past days,
With purity and inward peace.

4. Do more than pardon; give us joy,
Sweet fear, and sober liberty,
And simple hearts without alloy
That only long to be like Thee.

5. Labor is sweet, for Thou hast toiled,
And care is light, for Thou hast cared;
Let not our works with self be soiled,
Nor in unsimple ways ensnared.

6. For all we love, the poor, the sad,
The sinful, unto Thee we call;
O let Thy mercy make us glad:
Thou art our Jesus, and our All.

7. Sweet Savior, bless us; night is come;
Through night and darkness near us be;
Good angels watch about our home,
And we are one day nearer Thee.


Alternate Tune: Stella

Faith of Our Fathers

By Kindly Words and Virtuous Life.

Faith of Our Fathers was written by Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863). Originally an Ordained Priest in the Church of England, in 1846, following the example of Cardinal John Henry Newman he left to join the Catholic Church. It is set to the tune, Saint Catherine written in 1864 by Henri F. Hemy (1818-1888), Fr. Faber wrote it to honor Catholic martyrs from the English Reformation during the time of Henry VIII. In the Liturgy of the Hours Faith of Our Fathers is used during Ordinary Time for Daytime Mid-Afternoon Prayer.

Tune: Saint Catherine

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS by Fredrick Faber, 1846 (Public Domain)

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear thy wondrous voice!

Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
             We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.

Most Ancient of All Mysteries

Have Mercy Now, Most Merciful

Most Ancient of All Mysteries was written by Father Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863). An Ordained Priest in the Church of England, in 1846 (following the example of Cardinal John Henry Newman) he left to join the Catholic Church. All his hymn writing took place after his conversion. Most Ancient of All Mysteries is set to the tune Saint Flavian from John Days's Psalter (1562). In the Liturgy of the Hours Most Ancient of All Mysteries is used during Ordinary Time for Daytime Mid-Afternoon Prayer.


Tune: St. Flavian

MOST ANCIENT OF ALL MYSTERIES by Frederick Faber, Public Domain

1. Most ancient of all mysteries!
Before Thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most Holy Trinity!

2. When heaven and earth were yet unmade,
When time was yet unknown,
Thou in Thy bliss and majesty
Didst live and love alone.

3. Thou wert not born, there was no fount
From which Thy being flowed;
There is no end which Thou canst reach,
But Thou art simply God.

4. How wonderful creation is,
The work that Thou didst bless!
And oh, what then must Thou be like,
Eternal loveliness?

5. Most ancient of all mysteries,
Still at Thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most Holy Trinity!