Ave Mater Dolorosa
Mother, Hail, Immersed in Woes
Ave, Mater dolorosa,
martyrumque prima rosa,
audi vocem supplicis:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone,
tua fidens protectione,
iusti pacem gaudeam.
Per dolorem, o Maria,
tibi Senis prophetia
velut ense, conditum:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem, quem tulisti,
in Aegyptum quum fugisti,
ut salvares Puerum:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem, quando moerens,
inter notos Iesum quaerens,
revocabas perditum:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem, qui te pressit,
dulcis Natus quum processit
fractus ligni pondere:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem cordi infixum,
dum spectabas Crucifixum,
sacra simul victima:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem, quando Christi
corpus ulnis excepisti,
e cruce depositum:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Per dolorem, dum condebas,
pia Mater, et linquebas,
in sepulcro Filium:
R. Fac, ut mortis in agone, ...
Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da per Matrem me venire
ad palmam victoriae.
Amen.
From the Raccolta #640, (Apostolic Brief, March 22, 1918; S. P. Ap., July 24, 1931)
Ave Regina Caelorum
Hail Queen of Heaven
Ave Regina Caelorum is a popular Marian antiphon from around the 12th century. It appears to be of monastic origin and the author is unknown. Herman Contractus (+1054) is often suggested as the author, for he wrote several popular Marian antiphons arround then. This antiphon is one of the traditional concluding antiphons for Compline in use since the 13th century. It is traditionally recited from the Feast of the Purification (Feb. 2) until Wednesday in Holy Week. The traditional collect, which is not a part of the antiphon proper, is also given below. As noted by St. Jerome, the versicle and response originally appeared in the writings of St. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373).
AVE, Regina caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.
Oremus
Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium; ut, qui sanctae Dei Genetricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
From the Roman Breviary. Translation of the antiphon itself by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878).
Ave Verum Corpus natum
Hail True Body Truly Born
Ave Verum Corpus natum is a short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century and attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d 1362). During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host during the consecration. It was also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The text below is one of the four variants of the hymn that have come down to us.
AVE verum Corpus natum
De Maria Virgine:
Vere passum, immolatum
In cruce pro homine:
Cuius latus perforatum
Fluxit aqua et sanguine:
Esto nobis praegustatum
Mortis in examine.
O Iesu dulcis!
O Iesu pie!
O Iesu Fili Mariae. Amen.1
1Another variation: O clemens, O pie/ O dulcis Jesu, Fili Mariae.
Translation: Fr. Edward Francis Garesche, SJ (1876-1960)
Benedicite Dominum
Canticle of the Three Young Men
Benedicite Dominum, or the Canticle of the Three Young Men is taken from the Old Testament book of Daniel (Dan. 3, 57-88; 56). It is used at Lauds for Sundays and feast days.
BENEDICITE, omnia opera Domini, Domino; laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
BENEDICITE, caeli, Domino, benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino.
BENEDICITE, aquae omnes, quae super caelos sunt, Domino, benedicat omnis virtutis Domino.
BENEDICITE, sol et luna, Domino, benedicite, stellae caeli, Domino.
BENEDICITE, omnis imber et ros, Domino, benedicite, omnes venti, Domino.
BENEDICITE, ignis et aestus, Domino, benedicite, frigus et aestus, Domino.
BENEDICITE, rores et pruina, Domino, benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino.
BENEDICITE, glacies et nives, Domino, benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino.
BENEDICITE, lux et tenebrae, Domino, benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino.
BENEDICAT terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula.
BENEDICITE, montes et colles, Domino, benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino.
BENEDICITE, maria et flumina, Domino, benedicite, fontes, Domino.
BENEDICITE, cete, et omnia, quae moventur in aquis, Domino, benedicite, omnes volucres caeli, Domino.
BENEDICITE, omnes bestiae et pecora, Domino, benedicite, filii hominum, Domino.
BENEDICITE, Israel, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
BENEDICITE, sacerdotes Domini, Domino, benedicite, servi Domini, Domino.
BENEDICITE, spiritus et animae iustorum, Domino, benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino.
BENEDICITE, Anania, Azaria, Misael, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
BENEDICAMUS Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu; laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula.
BENEDICTUS es in firmamento caeli et laudabilis et gloriosus in saecula.
Amen.
Benedictio Mensae
Blessings Before and After Meals
Benedictio Ante Mensam
Blessing Before Meals
BENEDIC, Domine, nos et haec tua dona quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Ante prandium:
Mensae caelestis participes faciat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.
Ante cenam:
Ad cenam vitae aeternae perducat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.
Benedictio Post Mensam
Blessing After Meals
AGIMUS tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
V. Deus det nobis suam pacem.
R. Et vitam aeternam.
Amen
Benedictus
Canticle of Zechariah
The Benedictus, or Canticle of Zechariah, is taken from Scripture (Luke 1: 68-79) and is the prayer recited by Zechariah at the birth of John the Baptist. It has been an important part of the Church's Liturgy from the earliest times. Today it is part of the hour of Lauds in the Divine Office.
BENEDICTUS Dominus Deus Israel, *
quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae:
Et erexit cornu salutis nobis *
in domo David pueri sui.
Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum, *
qui a saeculo sunt, prophetarum eius:
Salutem ex inimicis nostris, *
et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos:
Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris: *
et memorari testamenti sui sancti:
Iusiurandum, quod iuravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum, *
daturum se nobis;
Ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati, *
serviamus illi.
In sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso, *
omnibus diebus nostris.
Et tu puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: *
praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias eius:
Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius: *
in remissionem peccatorum eorum:
Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: *
in quibus visitabit nos, oriens ex alto:
Illuminare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: *
ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.
Bone pastor, panis vere
Very Bread, good Shepherd
This prayer was formerly recited for private devotion at the elevation during the Mass. It comes from the last two verses of Lauda Sion, which was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the feast of Corpus Christi.
BONE pastor, panis vere,
Iesu, nostri miserere:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuere:
Tu nos bona fac videre
In terra viventium.
Tu, qui cuncta scis et vales;
Qui nos pascis hic mortales;
Tuos ibi commensales,
Coheredes et sodales
Fac sanctorum civium. Amen.
From the Raccolta # 140. (S. P. Ap., June 15, 1935 and July 12, 1941). From the Roman Missal.
Caelestis aulae Nuntius
The Messenger from God's High Throne
The author of this hymn is Fr. Augustine Thomas Ricchini (1695-1779). A native of Cremona, Italy, he held several ecclesiastical offices and was a friend of Pope Benedict XIV. Fr. Ricchini first held the office of the Secretary of the Congregation of the Index, and then was the Master of the Sacred Palace. He was also an adviser to the Master General of the Dominicans from 1759 to 1778.
This hymn, along with its three companion hymns,
In monte olivis consito,
Iam morte, victor, obruta, and
Te gestientem gaudiis are the hymns from the Roman Breviary for the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary (Oct. 7). The hymns were composed by Fr. Ricchini in 1757 and first appeared in the Dominican Breviary. Later, when the present Office was approved for the Universal Church in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII, these four hymns were added to the Roman Breviary. In the current Liturgia Horarum, the only surviving hymn for the feast is now Te gestientem gaudiis, the other three having been deleted.
The Feast of the Most Holy Rosary itself actually goes back to Pope Saint Pius V, who established this feast on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto over the Turkish fleet on 7 Oct., 1571. The victory is attributed to the intercession of the Mother of God, whose aid was petitioned through the prayers of the Rosary before the battle. The celebration of this feast day is an invitation to all to meditate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion, death, and glorious resurrection of her Son, the Son of God.
The subject of all four hymns are the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. The first three hymns deal with each set of Mysteries: the Joyous, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious. The fourth hymn is a short summary of the first three hymns. This, the first hymn of the series which is used in the Roman Breviary for first Vespers, deals with the Joyous Mysteries: The Annunciation (Lk 1:26 ff), The Visitation (Lk 1:36, Lk 1:38 ff), The Nativity (John 1:1), The Presentation (cf Lev 12:8, Num 18:16, Lk 2:24), The Finding in the Temple (Lk 2:46).
CAELESTIS aulae Nuntius,
arcana pandens Numinis,
plenam salutat gratia
Dei Parentem Virginem.
Virgo propinquam sanguine
matrem Ioannis visitat,
qui, clausus alvo, gestiens
adesse Christum nuntiat.
Verbum, quod ante saecula
e mente Patris prodiit,
e Matris alvo Virginis,
mortalis Infans nascitur.
Templo puellus sistitur,
Legique paret Legifer,
hic se Redemptor paupere
pretio redemptus immolat.
Quem iam dolebat perditum,
mox laeta Mater invenit
ignota doctis mentibus
edisserentem Filium.
Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui natus es de Virgine,
cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula.
Latin text from the Roman Breviary, translation by Alan G. McDougall (1895-1964).
Caeli Deus sanctissime
O God, Whose Hand Hath Spread the Sky
Attributed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). This hymn continues with the theme of Creation present in the Vespers Hymns for Monday and Tuesday. Here the work of the fourth day, the creation of the heavenly bodies in the firmament, is chronicled (Gen 1, 14-19). This hymn is traditionally sung at Wednesday Vespers and is used in the Liturgia Horarum at Vespers for Wednesdays of the first and third weeks of the Psalter during Ordinary Time. Likewise the hymn is also found in the Roman Breviary for Wednesday Vespers.
CAELI Deus sanctissime,
qui lucidum centrum poli1
candore pingis igneo
augens decori2 lumine.
Quarto die qui flammeam
solis rotam constituens,
lunae ministras ordini,
vagos recursus siderum,3
Ut noctibus, vel lumini
diremptionis terminum,
primordiis et mensium
signum dares notissimum:
Illumina cor hominum,4
absterge sordes mentium,
resolve culpae vinculum,
everte moles criminum.
Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.
Caelitum, Ioseph, decus
Joseph, the Praise and Glory of the Heavens
Written by Fr. Juan Escollar (d. 1700), this hymn was formerly used at Matins for the feast of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 19). It is still used for this feast, but for Lauds instead. It is also the hymn for Lauds for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1.
CAELITUM, Ioseph, decus, atque nostrae
certa spes vitae, columenque mundi,
quas tibi laeti canimus, benignus
suscipe laudes.
Te, satum David, statuit Creator1
Virginis sponsum, voluitque Verbi
te patrem dici, dedit et ministrum
esse salutis.
Tu, Redemptorem stabulo iacentem,
quem chorus vatum cecinit futurum,
aspicis gaudens, sociusque matris2
primus adoras.
Rex Deus regum, dominator orbis,
cuius ad nutum tremit infernorum
turba, cui pronus famulatur aether,
se tibi subdit.
Laus sit excelsae Triadi perennis,
quae, tibi insignes tribuens honores,3
et tuis nobis meritis beatae
gaudia vitae.
From the Liturgia Horarum. Translation by Alan G. McDougall (1895-1964).
1 Older Breviaries have: Te Sator rerum statuit pudicae.
2 Older Breviaries have: aspicis gaudens, hulilisque natum.
3 Older Breviaries have: quae tibi praeens superos honores.
Christe, qui, splendor et dies
Christ, Thou Who Art the Light and Day
Another old and venerable hymn for the close of day at Compline. This hymn has 8th century origins and is sometimes attributed to the Venerable Bede.
CHRISTE, qui,
splendor et dies,
noctis tenebras detegis,
lucisque lumen crederis,
lumen beatis praedicans,
Precamur, sancte Domine,
hac nocte nos custodias;
sit nobis in te requies,
quietas horas tribue.
Somno si dantur oculi,
cor semper ad te vigilet;
tuaque dextra protegas
fideles, qui te diligunt.
Defensor noster, aspice,
insidiantes reprime,
guberna tuos famulos,
quos sanguine mercatus es.
Sit, Christe, rex piissime,
tibi Patrique gloria,
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.
From the Liturgia Horarum, translation by R. F. Littledale (1833-1890)
Christe, Redemptor omnium
Christ, Redeemer of All
This 6th century hymn is the traditional hymn for Vespers during the Christmas season. In Pope Urban VIII's 1629 revision of the Breviary hymns to make them fit classical forms, the hymn was altered and known as Iesu, Redemptor Omnium. The original text of the hymn has been restored in the current liturgy and appears below.
CHRISTE, Redemptor omnium,
ex Patre, Patris unice,
solus ante principium
natus ineffabiliter,1
Tu lumen, tu splendor Patris,
tu spes perennis omnium,
intende quas fundunt preces
tui per orbem servuli.
Salutis auctor, recole
quod nostri quondam corporis,
ex illibata Virgine
nascendo, formam sumpseris.2
Hic praesens testatur dies,
currens per anni circulum,
quod a solus sede Patris
mundi salus adveneris;3
Hunc caelum, terra, hunc mare,
hunc omne quod in eis est,
auctorem adventus tui
laudat exsultans cantico.4
Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo
redempti sumus sanguine,
ob diem natalis tui
hymnum novum concinimus.5
Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui natus es de Virgine,
cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.
Latin from the Liturgia Horarum, Tr cento from J. M. Neale (1818-1866).
Changes made by Pope Urban VIII in 1632 to the Roman Breviary: 1 Iesu, Redemptor omnium/quem lucis ante originem/ parem Paternae gloriae/ Pater supremus edidit.
2 Memento, rerum Conditor/ nostri quod olim corporis/ sacrata ab alvo Virginis/ nascendo, formam sumpseris.
3 Testatur hoc praesens dies/ currens per anni circulum/ quod solus e sinu Patris/ Mundi salus adveneris.
4 Hunc astra, tellus, aequora,/ hunc omne, quod caelo subest,/ salutis Auctorem novae/ novo salutat cantico.
5 Et nos, beata quos sacri/ rigavit unda sanguinis/ natalis ob diem tui/ hymni tributum solvimus
Christe, Redemptor omnium
O Christ, be Reconciled to Thy Servants
This hymn is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). In the Roman Breviary it appears as the hymn Placare, Christe, servulis. In the interest of conforming to classical models, Pope Urban VIII revised Maurus' hymn leaving only line 22 unaltered. Thus given the extent of the changes, that hymn ought to be considered as a hymn distinct from this one. Christe, Redemptor omnium is used for first and second Vespers for the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1).
CHRISTE, redemptor omnium,
conserva tuos famulos,
beatae semper Virginis
placatus sanctis precibus.
Beata quoque agmina
caelestium spirituum,
praeterita, praesentia,
futura mala pellite.
Vates aeterni iudicis
apostolique Domini,
suppliciter exposcimus
salvari vestris precibus.
Martyres Dei incliti
confessoresque lucidi,
vestris orationibus
nos ferte in caelestibus.
Chori sanctarum virginum
monachorumque omnium,
simul cum sanctis omnibus
consortes Christi facite.
Auferte gentem perfidam
credentium de finibus,
ut unus omnes unicum
ovile nos Pater regat.
Sit Trinitati gloria,
vestrasque voces iungite
ut illi laudes debitas
persolvamus alacriter. Amen.
Latin from Liturgia Horarum, English from "Catholic World", Vol XXXII, 1880
Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum
Christ, the Fair Glory of the Holy Angels
This hymn, less the concluding doxology, is attributed on questionable grounds to Rabanus Maurus (776-856), a pupil of Alcuin. It is traditionally used for Laudes for the feasts of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Today, verses 2, 3, and 4 of the hymn are used for their feast on September 29.
CHRISTE, sanctorum decus Angelorum
Rector humani generis et auctor,
nobis aeternum tribue benigne
scandere caelum.
ANGELUM pacis, Michael ad istam
caelitus mitte, rogitamus aulam:
nobis ut crebro veniente crescant
prospera cuncta.
ANGELUS fortis Gabriel, ut hostem
pellat antiquum, volitet ab alto,
saepius templum veniat ad istud
visere nostrum.
ANGELUM nobis medicum salutis
mitte de caelis Raphael, ut omnes
sanet aegrotos, pariterque nostros
dirigat actus.
HINC Dei nostri Genetrix Maria,
totus et nobis chorus Angelorum
semper assistat, simul et beata
concio tota.
PRAESTET hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.
Latin from Merril, Latin Hymns. English translation by J. Athelstan Riley (1858-1945).
Commemoratio Angelorum
Commemoration of the Angels
From the Office for the feast of Guardian Angels (October 2). This feast was first authorized by Pope Paul V in 1608.
SANCTI Angeli, custodes nostri, defendite nos in proelio, ut non pereamus in tremendo iudicio.
V. In conspectu Angelorum psallam tibi, Deus meus.
R. Adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum et confitebor nomini tuo.
DEUS, qui ineffabili providentia sanctos Angelos tuos ad nostram custodiam mittere digneris, largire supplicibus tuis, et eorum semper protectione defendi, et aeterna sociate gaudere. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum.
Commemoratio Beatae Virginis Mariae
Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This commemoration was once recited at the end of Vespers from the Third Sunday after Epiphany to the Fourth Sunday of Lent and from the Third Sunday to the Last Sunday after Pentecost inclusively, except on Doubles and within Octaves. The opening prayer was composed by Bishop Fulbert of Chartres (ca 951-ca 1029) and is used for various Marian feasts.
SANCTA Maria, succurre miseris, iuva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum iuvamen, quicumque celebrant tuam sanctam commemorationem. Amen.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus
Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatae Mariae semper virginis intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. Amen.
From the Third Sunday after Epiphany to the Purification the above versicle and prayer is replaced by:
V. Post partum virgo inviolata permansisti.
R. Dei Genetrix, intercede pro nobis.
Oremus
Deus, qui salutis aeternae, beatae Mariae virginitate fecundae, humano generi praemia praestitisti: tribue, quaesumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus auctorem vitae suscipere, Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum. Amen.
From the Manual of Prayers, Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, 1888
Commemoratio Crucis
Commemoration of the Cross
From the Liturgies for the Finding of the Cross (formerly May 3) and the Triumph of the Cross (Sept 14)
CRUCEM sanctam subiit, qui infernum confregit, accinctus est potentia, surrexit die tertia. Alleluia.
V. Dicite in nationibus, Alleluia
R. Quia Dominus regnavit a ligno. Alleluia
Oremus:
Deus, qui pro nobis Filium tuum crucis patibulum subire voluisti, ut inimici a nobis expelleres potestatem: concede nobis famulis tuis, ut resurrectionis gratiam consequamur. Per eundem Dominum ...
R. Amen.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
V. Benedicamus Domino.
R. Deo gratias.
V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace.
R. Amen.
Pater noster... (secreto)
V. Dominus det nobis suam pacem.
R. Et vitam aeternam. Amen.
Commemoratio Pretiosissimi Sanguinis
Commemoration of the Most Precious Blood
ERIT Sanguis Agni vobis in signum, dicit Dominus; et videbo sanguinem et transibo vos nec erit in vobis plaga disperdens.
V. Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni.
R. Quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Oremus:
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui unigenitum Filium tuum mundi Redemptorem constituisti, ac eius Sanguine placari voluisti: concede, quaesumus, salutis nostrae pretium solemni cultu ita venerari, atque a praesentis vitae malis eius virtute defendi in terris; ut fructu perpetuo laetemur in caelis. Per eundem Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.
Commemoratio Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu
Commemoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
From the Roman Breviary for the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost).
AD Iesum autem cum venissent, ut viderunt eum iam mortuum, non fregerunt eius crura, sed unus militum lancea latus eius aperuit, et continuo exivit sanguis et aqua.
V. Haurietis aquas in gaudio.
R. De fontibus Salvatoris.
Oremus
Deus, qui nobis in Corde Filii tui, nostris vulnerato peccatis, infinitos dilectionis thesauros misericorditer largiri dignaris concede, quaesumus; ut illi devotum pietatis nostrae praestantes obsequium, dignae quoque satisfactionis exhibeamus officium. Per eundem Dominum ...
R. Amen.