Eternal Father, Through Your Word

We Render Homage and All Praise

Eternal Father, Through Your Word is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. The Abbey was chiefly founded by Gertrude More (1606-1633). Born Helen More, she was a descendent of St. Thomas More. At the age of 17 she entered the re-established Order of the English Benedictine Congregation. She and the other postulates were trained by the Benedictine mystic and writer, Fr. Augustine Baker (1575-1641) in a practice of contemplative prayer that continues down to the present day in the Stanbrook Community. Dame Gertrude More died of small-pox at the age of 27. Eternal Father, Through Your Word is sung to the 1782 tune, Melcombe by Samuel Webbe (1740-1816). In the Divine Office it is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Melcombe

Christ, Victim for the Sins of Men / O Salutaris Hostia

Your Death Brings Hope to Our Despair

Christ, Victim for the Sins of Men was one of fourteen contributions by Fr. Brian Foley (1919-2000) to the New Catholic Hymnal (1971), a collection he helped compile. It is based upon the Latin hymn, O Salutaris Hostia (see 2nd video) written by St. Thomas Aquinas O.P. in 1264 for the Office of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Fr. Foley's paraphrase is set to the 1543 tune, Erhalt uns, Herr (Spires) by Joseph Klug (1523-1552). An alternative tune that can also be used is Duke Street, as featured in the 1st video. In the Liturgy of the Hours Christ, Victim for the Sins of Men is used during Holy Week.


Alternative Tune: Duke Street

O SALUTARIS HOSTIA by Thomas Aquinas

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

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

The Glory of These Forty Days / Clarum Decus Jejunii

Christ, by Whom All Things were Made

The Glory of These Forty Days is a 1906 translation by Anglican Minister, Maurice F. Bell (1862-1947) of the 6th century latin hymn Clarum Decus Jejunii, attributed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). It was traditionally sung at Matins during Lent. The Glory of These Forty Days is set to the Lutheran hymn tune Spires (Erhalt' uns, Herr) by Joseph Klug (1523-1552). First published in 1543 with later harmonies added by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during Lent.

Tune: Spires

THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS by Maurice F. Bell, 1906 (Public Domain)

1. The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by Whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

2. Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God Who gave the law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

3. So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lions’ might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s Name.

4. Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;
Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,
And give us joy to see Thy face.

5. O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
To thee be every prayer addressed,
Who art in threefold Name adored,
From age to age, the only Lord.


CLARUM DECUS JEJUNII

1. Clarum decus jejunii
Monstratur orbi coelitus,
Quod Christus Auctor omnium
Cibis dicavit abstinens.

2. Hoc Moyses carus Deo
Legisque lator factus est,
Hoc Helyam per aera
Curru levavit igneo.

3. Hinc Daniel mysteria
Victor leonum viderat,
Per hoc amicus intimus
Sponsi Johannes claruit.

4. Hec nos sequi dona, Deus,
Exempla parcimonise,
Tu robur auge mentium
Dans spiritale gaudium. 

5. Presta, Pater, per Filium,
Proesta per almum Spiritum,
Cum His per eevum triplici
Unus Deus cognomine. Amen.