Nunc Dimittis (Canticle of Simeon)

Painting by Aert de Gelder - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Nunc Dimities (Canticle of Simeon) is sung at Compline in the Roman Breviary. The text is taken from St. Jerome's (c.347-420) Latin Vulgate translation of Luke 2:29-32. Simeon sang this when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of consecration of the firstborn son (the Presentation), after the time of Mary's purification of at least 40 days after the birth. Like other devout Jews before him throughout Salvation History, the old Levitical Priest, Simeon has waited and watched for the coming of the Savior, and now nearing the end of his life, prays to be dismissed from his faithful service. Likewise, we too, at the end of our day of labour as servants of the Lord, pray not only to be dismissed from the day's service for a night of rest, but (mindful of our own mortality) pray also for a peaceful death.



NUNC DIMMITTIS (with Antiphon)

Antiphon: Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes,
                 custodi nos dormientes,
                 ut vigil emus cum Christo
                 et requiescamus in pace.

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Liturgical Guide: Presentation of the Lord

Painting by Hans Holbein, Courtesy of Wikipedia

The hymns selected for use in the Divine Office on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord celebrate Christ as the firstborn Son, who belongs to the Lord. First observed in the Eastern Church as early as the 6th century, it represents another "epiphany" or manifestation of the Lord. It is at the Presentation that Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus as "the long-expected Messiah, the 'light to the nations' and the "glory of Israel', but also 'a sign that is spoken against'. The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had 'prepared in the presence of all peoples'". - #529, Catechism of the Catholic Church.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

3. Sion, Sing
143. Hail to the Lord Who Comes 

144. When Mary Brought Her Treasure

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Hail to the Lord Who Comes


Produced by the Apostleship of Prayer

When Mary Brought Her Treasure

The Joy Upon Her Face

When Mary Brought Her Treasure, was first published in 1931 under the name: Jan Struther, a pen name of Joyce Maxtone Graham (1901-1953). She is best known as the author of Mrs Miniver. Born and raised in the UK, she attended a private school in London where she was a classmate of Eliz­a­beth Bowes-Ly­on (the fu­ture Queen Eliz­a­beth, the Queen Mo­ther). Also known as Joyce Torrens, she wrote a number hymns intended for children including Lord of All Hopefulness. When Mary Brought Her Treasure is sung to the traditional French carol: Allons, Suivons Les Magese. An alternative tune that can be used is Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen, as featured in the following video. In the Liturgy of the Hours, When Mary Brought Her Treasure is used on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Tune: Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen

Hail to the Lord Who Comes

In Her Fond Arms At Rest

Hail to the Lord Who Comes was written in 1880 by Anglican Priest and composer or translator of over 80 hymns, John Ellerton (1826-1893). It was published the following year in Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book. It is set to the tune for Psalm 32 composed in 1648 by Henry Lawes (1595-1662). The son of a Vicar Choral of Salisbury Cathedral, he along with his brother and fellow composer, William Lawes (b.1602), were important composers of 17th century England. During the English Civil War period and subsequent Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell, they found themselves on the losing side. William was killed at the Siege of Chester in 1645, and Henry lost his position in the Chapel Royal; although he would be later be reinstated in 1660 with the restoration of the monarchy. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Hail to the Lord Who Comes is used on February 2, the  Feast of the Presentation. The version published in the Liturgy of the Hours is an adaption of Ellerton's original. His original 6-line stanzas (6.6.6.6.6.6) have been reduced to 4-line stanzas (6.6.6.6). An alternative tune that can be used with the 4-line version is St. Cecilia, as featured in the 1st video. For the 6-line version, a well known setting is the tune: 120th, as featured in the following 2nd video.

Tune: St. Cecilia (Meter: 6.6.6.6)

HAIL TO THE LORD WHO COMES by John Ellerton, 1880 (Public Domain)

1. Hail to the Lord who comes,
comes to his temple gate!
Not with his angel host,
not in his kingly state;
no shouts proclaim him nigh,
no crowds his coming wait;

2. But, borne upon the throne
of Mary's gentle breast,
watched by her duteous love,
in her fond arms at rest;
thus to his Father's house
he comes, the heav'nly Guest.

3. There Joseph at her side
in reverent wonder stands,
and, filled with holy joy,
old Simeon in his hands
takes up the promised Child,
the glory of all lands.

4. Hail to the great First-born
whose ransom-price they pay!
The Son before all worlds,
the Child of man today,
that he might ransom us
who still in bondage lay.

5. O Light of all the earth,
thy children wait for thee!
come to thy temples here,
that we, from sin set free,
before thy Father's face
may all presented be!
 

Tune: 120th (Meter: 6.6.6.6.6.6)