Our Morning Offering – 18 November – Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul
Æterna Cæli Gloria
Eternal Glory of Heaven
By St Ambrose (340–397)
Father and Doctor of the Churh
Trans. John Mason Neale, (1818-1866)
Eternal glory of the sky,
Blest hope of frail humanity,
The Father’s Sole-begotten One,
Yet born a spotless Virgin’s Son!
Uplift us with Thine arm of might,
And let our hearts rise pure and bright
And, ardent in God’s praises, pay
The thanks we owe Him everyday.
The Day-star’s rays are glittering clear
And tell that day itself is near:
The shadows of the night depart;
Thou, holy Light, illume the heart!
Within our senses ever dwell,
And worldly darkness thence expel;
Long as the days of life endure,
Preserve our souls devout and pure.
The faith that first must be possessed,
Root deep within our inmost breast;
And joyous hope in second place,
Then charity, Thy greatest grace.
All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.
Beloved Ssint Ambrose was a Roman citizen, son of a Roman prefect in Gallia Narbonensis.
At age 34, he was appointed governor of northern Italy.
In 374, Ambrose was selected as Bishop of Milan by popular acclaim.
His hymns first came to widespread noice in a standoff beween him and Emress Jusstina, who had sent soldiers to arrest him.
Ambrose and his faithful flock stayed in the Sanctuary of the Church for days, singing and praying. The Empress lost the test of wills and Ambrose’s hymns have lived for millennia. Alleluia!
AnaStpaul 