Category: HYMNS

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – Prayer/Hymn to Our Lady of Good Remedy

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Our Morning Offering – 17 December – The Memorial of St John of Matha O.SS.T (1160-1213) – Founder of the Trinitarians and the Devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy

Prayer/Hymn to Our Lady of Good Remedy

O Mary, you accept our prayers
and lovingly grant remedy,
we ask you with humility,
remain with us continually.

Be with us if we fall in sin
and feel its cruel captivity,
break all the bonds which hold us chained,
and cleanse our hearts’ iniquity.

Help us when love is growing cold
and worldly lures lead us astray,
let heaven shine within our hearts
lest we forget salvation’s way.

Assist us in our sufferings,
when body soul or spirit fail.
Bring peace and calm into our lives
until the light of heaven prevail.

Be with your children at death’s hour,
protect them in your great pity,
that with your aid, they may enjoy
rewards throughout eternity.

With grateful hearts we sing your praise
with hymns unto the Trinity,
for giving us in all our needs
the Virgin as a remedy.
Amen.Breviary prayer hymn to our lady of good remedy - 17dec2018 stjohn of matha

From the Breviary Office of Readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Good Remedy

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The CHRIST CHILD, The INCARNATION, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 16 December 2018

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Thought for the Day – 16 December 2018 – The Third ‘Gaudete’ Sunday of Advent

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Bishop and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his Sermon 293

John is the voice but the Lord is the Word who was in the beginning.   John is the voice that lasts for a time, from the beginning, Christ is the Word who lives forever.

Take away the word, the meaning and what is the voice?   Where there is no understanding, there is only a meaningless sound.   The voice without the word strikes the ear but does not build up the heart.

However, let us observe what happens when we first seek to build up our hearts.   When I think about what I am going to say, the word or message is already in my heart.   When I want to speak to you, I look for a way to share with your heart what is already in mine.

In my search for a way to let this message reach you, so that the word already in my heart may find a place also in yours, I use my voice to speak to you.   The sound of my voice brings the meaning of the word to you and then passes away.   The word which the sound has brought to you is now in your heart and yet it is still also in mine.

When the word has been conveyed to you, does not the sound seem to say – the word ought to grow and I should diminish?   The sound of the voice has made itself heard in the service of the word and has gone away, as though it were saying – my joy is complete.   Let us hold on to the word;  we must not lose the word conceived inwardly in our hearts.

Do you need proof that the voice passes away but the divine Word remains?   Where is John’s baptism today?   It served its purpose and it went away.   Now it is Christ’s baptism that we celebrate.   It is in Christ that we all believe, we hope for salvation in Him.   This is the message the voice cried out.

Because it is hard to distinguish word from voice, even John himself was thought to be the Christ.   The voice was thought to be the word.   But the voice acknowledged what it was, anxious not to give offence to the word.   I am not the Christ, he said, nor Elijah, nor the prophet.   And the question came:  Who are you, then?   He replied:  I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness – Prepare the way for the Lord!

The voice of one crying in the wilderness is the voice of one breaking the silence.   Prepare the way for the Lord, he says, as though he were saying:  “I speak out in order to lead Him into your hearts but He does not choose to come where I lead Him, unless you prepare the way for Him.”

To prepare the way means to pray well – it means thinking humbly of oneself.  We should take our lesson from John the Baptist.   He is thought to be the Christ, he declares he is not what they think.   He does not take advantage of their mistake to further his own glory.

If he had said, “I am the Christ,” you can imagine how readily he would have been believed, since they believed he was the Christ even before he spoke.   But he did not say it, he acknowledged what he was.   He pointed out clearly who he was;  he humbled himself.

He saw where his salvation lay.   He understood that he was a lamp and his fear was that it might be blown out, by the wind of pride.”

I speak out in order to lead Him - st augustine - 16 dec 2018

“The very Son of God, 
older than the ages, 
the invisible,
the incomprehensible, 
the incorporeal, 
the beginning of beginning, 
the light of light, 
the fountain of life and immortality,
the image of the archetype, 
the immovable seal,
the perfect likeness,
the definition and word of the Father:
He it is who comes to His own image 
and takes our nature for the good of our nature
and unites Himself to an intelligent soul 
for the good of my soul, 
to purify like by like.”

St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Churchthe-very-son-of-god-st-gregory-of-naziazen.17dec2017.gaudete sunday 2017

Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

 

come o come emmanuel - 16 dec 2018

 

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 30 November – Breviary Hymn for the Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ

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Our Morning Offering – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ

Hymn/Prayer on the Feast of St Andrew
From the Breviary

Saint Andrew, who once cast your nets
Upon the lake of Galilee,
Show now your skill in catching souls,
And save us from the world’s wild sea.

Saint Peter’s brother during life,
Not even death your souls could part,
Since both endured the bitter cross
With patient and courageous heart.

True brothers in your work on earth,
Your crown of glory is the same,
Both fathers of the infant Church,
Both crucified for Jesus’ Name.

You were the first to find Our Lord,
And led your brother to His feet,
So help us on life’s weary way,
Befriend us in its dust and heat.

Companion of your brother’s toil,
Preserve the Church in charity,
That with Saint Peter, shepherd true,
We may serve God in unity.

Beloved Saint, so dear to Christ,
Help us to run the path of love,
That we may all God’s praises sing,
United in full joy above.
Amenst andrew who once cast your nets - breviary hymn for the feast of st andrew - 30 nov 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 9 October – The Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

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Our Morning Offering – 9 October – The Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Praise to the Holiest in the Height
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise:
In all His words most wonderful;
Most sure in all His ways.

O loving wisdom of our God,
When all was sin and shame,
He, the last Adam, to the fight
And to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood
Which did in Adam fail,
Should strive afresh against the foe,
Should strive and should prevail.

And that a higher gift than grace
Should flesh and blood refine,
God’s presence, and His very self
And essence all-divine.

O generous love! that He, who smote
In man for man the foe,
The double agony in man
For man should undergo.

And in the garden secretly,
And on the cross on high,
Should teach His brethren, and inspire
To suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise:
In all His words most wonderful;
Most sure in all His ways.Praise to the Holiest in the Height - bl john henry newman - 9 oct 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 15 September – STABAT MATER

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Our Morning Offering – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

STABAT MATER

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest,
Of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs.
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.
For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother: fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord.
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torment died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.
By the Cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins best,
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine.
Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swooned
In His very blood away.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defense,
Be Thy Cross my victory.
While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
Amen

Note:  This text of the Stabat Mater is one of over 60 translations of this famous Latin hymn that can also be recited in prayer. It is often used when praying the Stations of the Cross. The original Latin text of the Stabat Mater has also been set to music by such composers as Haydn, Rossini, and Poulenc.stabat-mater-as-a-prayer-15-sept-20181 (1).jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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Our Morning Offering – 14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Breviary Hymn
O Cross of Christ
By St Flavian Bishop (Died 449 – Memorial 18 February), from Day’s Psalter 1562

O Cross of Christ, immortal tree
On which our Saviour died,
The world is sheltered by your arms
That bore the Crucified.

From bitter death and barren wood
the tree of life is made;
Its branches bear unfailing fruit
And leaves that never fade.

O faithful Cross, you stand unmoved
While ages run their course;
Foundation of the universe,
Creation’s minding force.

Give glory to the risen Christ
And to His Cross give praise,
The sign of God’s unfailing love,
The hope of all our days.o cross of christ - 14 sept exaltation of the holy cross - 14 sept 2018 breviary hymn

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – The Memorial of the Beheading of St John the Baptist

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Our Morning Offering – 29 August – The Memorial of the Beheading of St John the Baptist

Lauds Hymn
Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

God called great prophets to foretell
the coming of His Son.
The greatest, called before his birth,
was John, the chosen one.

His life was filled with joy and hope;
he knew he must decrease,
and that we must prepare a place
where Jesus may increase.

John searched in solitude for Christ
and knew Him when He came.
He showed the world the Lamb of God
and hailed Him in our name.

That lonely voice cried out the truth
Derided and denied.
As witness to the law of God
His mighty martyr died.

We praise You, Trinity in One,
the light of unknown ways,
the hope of all who search for You
whose love fills all our days.lauds hymn - memorial of st john the baptist - 29 aug 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 18 August

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Our Morning Offering – 18 August – Saturday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Breviary Hymn – Psalter Week 3
It were my Soul’s Desire

It were my soul’s desire
To see the face of God;
It were my soul’s desire
To rest in His abode.

Grant, Lord, my soul’s desire,
Deep waves of cleansing sighs;
Grant, Lord, my soul’s desire
From earthly cares to rise.

It were my soul’s desire
To imitate my King,
It were my soul’s desire
His ceaseless praise to sing.

It were my soul’s desire
When heaven’s gate is won
To find my soul’s desire
Clear shining like the sun.

This still my soul’s desire
Whatever life afford,
To gain my soul’s desire
And see Thy face, O Lord.it were my soul's desire - breviary hymn sat psalter week 3 - 18 aug 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 13 August

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Our Morning Offering – 13 August – Monday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, B

The Day is Filled with Splendour, is a hymn written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is sung during Morning Prayer in the Divine Office. It is set to the hymn tune: Paderborn, first published in the Katholische Kirchengesänge of 1616.   Psalter Week 3.

The Day is Filled with Splendour

The day is filled with splendour
When God brings light from light,
And all renewed creation
Rejoices in His sight. —
The Father gives His children
The wonder of the world
In which His power and glory
Like banners are unfurled. —
With every living creature,
Awaking with the day,
We turn to God our Father,
Lift up our hearts and pray: —
O Father, Son and Spirit,
Your grace and mercy send,
That we may live to praise You
Today and to the end.the day is filled with splendour - 13 august 2018 - breviary hymn psalter week 3

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The TRANSFIGURATION

Our Morning Offering – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Breviary Lauds Hymn
Feast of the Transfiguration

More ancient than the primal world
And older than the morning star,
Before the first things took their shape,
Creator of them all, You are.

Your image is the Lord of life,
Your Son from all eternity,
All that must perish, He restores,
In Him, all reconciled will be.

Transfigured Christ, believed and loved,
In You our only hope has been.
Grant us, in Your unfathomed love,
Those things no eye has ever seen.

O Father, Son and Spirit blest,
With hearts transfigured by Your grace,
May we Your matchless splendour praise
And see the glory of Your face.breviary lauds hymn for the transfiguration - 6 august 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 3 July – Feast of St Thomas Apostle

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Our Morning Offering – 3 July – Feast of St Thomas Apostle

Qui luce splendes ordinis
Who is the Light of the Glory of his order
Breviary Prayer/Hymn for the Feast of St Thomas

Saint Thomas, whom the Saviour chose
When here on earth, as special friend,
Accept our joyful hymn of praise,
And to our earnest prayer attend.

Your love for Christ made you desire
To die with Him and share His plight;
His love for you gave you a throne
Of glory in His realm of light.

Your tortured love could not believe
The Ten had seen Him, as they said;
But you must touch His hands and feet
To prove Him risen from the dead.

And later when you saw Him too
With joy, His mercy you adored,
Acclaiming Him as truly God,
And worshiping your risen Lord.

As you once grew to know our Lord,
Give us more faith, both strong and firm,
And make our love grow deeper yet
For Jesus whom we have not seen.

All glory be to Christ, our Lord,
Who by your prayer will grant us grace,
When we have blindly walked in faith,
To see the glory of His face.
Amen

Text: Qui luce splendes ordinis
Music: Samuel Scheidt, 1567-1654
Translation: © the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UKst thomas whom the saviour chose - breviary hymn for the feast of st thomas - 3 july 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, St PAUL!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 29 June – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

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Our Morning Offering – 29 June – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

What Fairer Light?

Hymn for the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul
Elphis, c 493, wife of Boethius c 477– 524
Translation: R A Knox, 1888-1957

What fairer light is this than time itself doth own,
The golden day with beams more radiant brightening?
The princes of God’s Church this feast day doth enthrone,
To sinners heavenward bound their burden lightening.

One taught mankind its creed, one guards the heavenly gate,
Founders of Rome, they bind the world in loyalty;
One by the sword achieved, one by the cross his fate;
With laurelled brows they hold eternal royalty.

Rejoice, O Rome, this day, thy walls they once did sign
With princely blood, who now their glory share with thee.
What city’s vesture glows with crimson deep as thine?
What beauty else has earth that may compare with thee?

To God the three in one eternal homage be,
All honour, all renown, all songs victorious,
Who rules both heaven and earth by one divine decree
To everlasting years in empire glorious.what fairer light - blessed solemnity of sts peter and paul - 29 june 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 June 2018 – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi

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Our Morning Offering – 3 June 2018 – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Adoro te devote
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor of the Church
Trans. Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins S.J. (1844-1889)

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore,
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.

On the cross thy godhead made no sign to men,
Here thy very manhood steals from human ken:
Both are my confession, both are my belief,
And I pray the prayer of the dying thief.

I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.

O thou our reminder of Christ crucified,
Living Bread, the life of us for whom he died,
Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind,
There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.

Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran—
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.

Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below,
I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so,
Some day to gaze on thee face to face in light
And be blest for ever with thy glory’s sight.
Amenadoro te devote - st thomas aquinas - corpus christi - 3 june 2018.jpg

Original Latin

Adoro te devote, latens Deitas,
Quæ sub his figuris vere latitas;
Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit,
Quia te contemplans totum deficit.

Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur,
Sed auditu solo tuto creditur.
Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius;
Nil hoc verbo veritátis verius.

In cruce latebat sola Deitas,
At hic latet simul et Humanitas,
Ambo tamen credens atque confitens,
Peto quod petivit latro pœnitens.

Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor:
Deum tamen meum te confiteor.
Fac me tibi semper magis credere,
In te spem habere, te diligere.

O memoriale mortis Domini,
Panis vivus, vitam præstans homini,
Præsta meæ menti de te vívere,
Et te illi semper dulce sapere.

Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine,
Me immundum munda tuo sanguine:
Cujus una stilla salvum facere
Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.

Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio,
Oro, fiat illud quod tam sitio:
Ut te revelata cernens facie,
Visu sim beátus tuæ gloriæ.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 20 May – Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia!

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Our Morning Offering – 20 May – Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia!

Veni Sancte Spiritus – The Golden Sequence

Before the Alleluia, proclamation of the Gospel, the ancient sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) is recited or sung on each day of Pentecost week.   This hymn appeared first in liturgical books around the year 1200.   It has been variously ascribed to Pope Innocent III (1216), to King Robert of France (1031) and even to Saint Gregory the Great (604).   Most probably, however, its author was Cardinal Stephen Langton (1128), Archbishop of Canterbury.   The poem has been known from medieval times as the “Golden Sequence” because of its richness in thought and expression.   Each one of the short stanzas is a sentence in itself, thus facilitating meditation. Below is one of the many translations used today.

Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit and bring from above
The splendour of Thy light.
Come, father of the poor, come, giver of graces,
Come, light of our hearts.
Best of Consolers, sweet guest of the soul,
And comfort of the weary.
Thou rest in labour, relief in burning toil,
Consoling us in sorrow.
O blessed light, fill the innermost hearts
Of those who trust in Thee.
Without Thy indwelling there is nothing in man,
And nothing free of sin.
Cleanse what is sordid, give water in dryness,
And heal the bleeding wounds.
Bend what is proud, make warm what is cold,
Bring back the wayward soul.
Give to the faithful who trustingly beg Thee
Thy seven holy gifts.
Grant virtue’s reward, salvation in death,
And everlasting joy. Amen. Alleluia.veni sancte spiritus - the golden sequence - pentecost - 20 may 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, HYMNS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL MESSAGES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Rejoice! It’s 1 May and the beginning of the Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Rejoice! It’s 1 May and the beginning of the Month of the Blessed Virgin Marymay the month of the blessed virgin mary - 1 may 2018

“God wills that all his gifts should come to us through Mary” 

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor

It was in Rome, towards the end of the eighteenth century, one fine evening in May.   A child of the poor gathered his companions around him and led them to a statue of Mary, before which a lamp was burning, as is the custom in that holy city.   There, these fresh young voices sang the Litany of our Lady.   The next day, the little group, followed by other children, again gathered at the feet of the Mother of God.   Next came their mothers, to join the little assembly.   Soon, other groups were formed and the devotion rapidly became popular.   Holy souls, troubled by the disorderly conduct which always increases and becomes graver at the return of the pleasant springtime, saw in these growing practices the hand of God and they co-operated with the designs of Providence by approving and promoting this new devotion, as a public and solemn act of reparation. The Month of Mary was founded! … A Carthusian, A Month with Mary, London: Burns and Oates, 1950.

“This is the month in which, in the churches and individual homes, the most affectionate and fervent homage of prayers and devotions from the hearts of Christians are raised to Mary.  It is also the month in which from His throne, descend upon us, the most generous and abundant gifts of the Divine Mercy.” … Blessed Pope Paul VI, The Month of Mary,1967

In our own times, we Catholics, wanting to be close to her always, offer her special presents in May:  pilgrimages, visits to churches dedicated to her, little sacrifices in her honour, extra Devotions in her honour, floral ‘Crownings’, periods of study and well-finished work offered up to her and a more attentive recitation of the Marian Litanies and the Holy Rosary.

Opening Hymn from the Little Office of Mary

O Mary of all women, 
You are the chosen one,
Who, ancient prophets promised, 
Would bear God’s only Son;
All Hebrew generations 
Prepared the way to thee,
That in your womb the God-man, 
Might come to set us free.

O Mary, you embody 
all God taught to our race,
For you are first and foremost 
In fullness of His grace;
We praise this wondrous honour 
That you gave birth to Him,
Who from you took humanity 
And saved us from our sin.opening hymn from the little office of mary - of mary, of all women - 1 may 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, EASTER, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – – 18 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide

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Our Morning Offering – – 18 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from His piercèd side;
praise we Him whose love divine
gives His sacred blood for wine,
gives His body for the feast,
Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest.

Where the paschal blood is poured,
death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Him, whose blood was shed,
Paschal Victim, Paschal Bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty Victim from the sky,
pow’rs of hell beneath Thee lie;
death is conquered in the fight,
Thou hast brought us life and light;
hymns of glory and of praise,
risen Lord, to Thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to Thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

Paschal triumph, Paschal joy,
only sin can this destroy;
from the death of sin set free,
souls reborn, dear Lord, in Thee.
Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father unto Thee we raise;
risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be.

Translator:  Robert Campbell
Robert Campbell was a Catholic advocate residing in Edinburgh. He died in 1868.

at the lamb's high feast we sing - 18 april 2018 - wed of the 3rd week of easter

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, EASTER, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – Easter Monday

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Our Morning Offering – 2 April – Easter Monday

The beautiful ancient Easter sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes can be said or sung before the Gospel every day during the Octave:

Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended
in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of Life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

Bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
To Galilee He goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen,
our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia!++eater monday 2 april 2018 - Victimae Paschali Laudes - easter sequence

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of Fathers, Patron of the Dying

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of Fathers, Patron of the Dying, Patron of Workers. et al

Joseph, wise ruler of God’s earthly household

Joseph, wise ruler of God’s earthly household,
nearest of all men to the heart of Jesus,
be still a father, lovingly providing
for us, His brethren.

Saint strong and manly, chosen by the Father,
as trusted guardian of the Son eternal,
guide us as once you guided Wisdom’s footsteps
with sure direction.

Husband of Mary, loving and beloved,
teach us the joy of love so pure and holy,
warming our hearts with love
for God’s own Mother by your example.

Saint of the dying, blest with Mary’s presence,
in death you rested in the arms of Jesus;
so at our ending, Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
come to assist us!joseph wise ruler of god's earthly household - 19 march 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 4 February – The Memorial of Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

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Our Morning Offering – 4 February – The Memorial of Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

Veni Creator Spiritus
By Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)

Come, Creator, Spirit,
come from Your bright heavenly throne,
come take possession of our souls
and make them all Your own.
You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring,
the vital fire,
sweet christ’ning and true love. . . .
O guide our minds with Your best light,
with love our hearts inflame
and with Your strength,
which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe,
true peace unto us bring
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath Your sacred wing.
Through You may we the Father know,
through You th’eternal Son
and You the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed Three in One. . . .Veni, Creator Spiritus - bl rabanus maurus - 4 feb 2018

Today, 4 February, us the Memorial of Blessed Rabanus Maurus.

Rabanus Maurus was a young boy who loved to study and became a disciple of the great Englishmen who brought learning and holiness to the kingdom of Charlemagne.   He was born in 784, when the Carolingian renaissance was at its height and his parents sent him to be educated at St Boniface’s great monastery of Fulda, which had a famous school.   So remarkable was he as a student that the Abbot of Fulda sent him to study under Charlemagne’s own schoolmaster, Alcuin, at Tours and it was under this teacher that he received the name Maurus, after St. Benedict’s favourite disciple.   On returning to Fulda, he was first a teacher, then head of the school there, which became famous all over Europe.

He continued the tradition of sacred learning begun by St Boniface and Alcuin.   He wrote homilies, scientific treatises, poetry, hymns and commentaries on most of the books of the Bible.   Like St Bede, he was the marvel of his time for his learning and was unequalled in his time for his scriptural and patristic learning.

In 822, Blessed Rabanus Maurus was elected abbot of Fulda and the monastery flourished under his guidance. He increased the library, built new buildings and fostered learning of every kind.  In 842, he retired, planning to live a life of prayer in solitude for the rest of his life.

In 847, he was chosen to be archbishop of Mainz, at the age of sixty-three and the last years of his life were spent directing the affairs of his diocese, holding provincial synods, and directing a multitude of charitable works.   During a famine, he fed three hundred poor people at his own house.   He became bedridden shortly before his death and from the moment of his death was regarded as a saint.

He was buried at the monastery of St Alban’s in Mainz but later his relics were transferred to Halle.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Hail to the Lord who Comes
Prayers/Hymns “Liturgy of the Hours”

Hail to the Lord who comes,
comes to His temple gate,
not with His angel host,
not in His kingly state.

But borne upon the throne
of Mary’s gentle breast,
thus to His Father’s house
He comes, the heavenly guest.

The world’s true light draws near
all darkness to dispel,
the flame of faith is lit
and dies the power of hell.

Our bodies and our souls
are temples now for Him.
for we are born of grace –
God lights our souls within.

O Light of all the earth!
We light our lives with Thee.
The chains of darkness gone,
all sons of God are free.hail to the lord who comes - presentation of the lord - from the breviary - 2 feb 2018

Posted in HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 29 January – The memorial of St Dallan Forgaill (c 530- 598)

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Our Morning Offering – 29 January – The memorial of St Dallan Forgaill (c 530- 598)

Be Thou my Vision
By St Dallan Forgaill (c 530- 598)

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s son,
Heart of my heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.be thou my vision by st dallan forgaill - 29 jan 2018

Be Thou my Vision by Audrey Assad:

 

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St PAUL!

Our Morning Offering – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul the Apostle

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Our Morning Offering – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul the Apostle

Morning Hymn from the Psalter
for the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

Apostle of the gentiles, Paul
The greatest witness of them all.
You turned to Christ, the risen Lord,
When out of light you heard Him call.

You journeyed far and wide to tell
That Christ was risen from the dead,
That all who put their faith in Him
Would live forever, as He said.

To Father, Son and Spirit blest,
The light of man’s uncharted ways,
With all the Church throughout the world,
Give glory and unceasing praise.apostle of the gentiles paul - hymn from the psalter - 25 jan 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CHRISTMASTIDE!, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 8 January – The Baptism of the Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 8 January – The Baptism of the Lord

God in flesh made manifest
By Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885)
(nephew of the great lake-poet, William Wordsworth)

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to You we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem,
in Your birth at Bethlehem.

Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in Your Godhead manifest,
You revealed Your power divine,
changing water into wine.

Manifest in making whole
weakened body, fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed.
God in man made manifest.god in flesh made manifest - c wordsworth - 8 jan 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMASTIDE!, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 29 December – Fifth Day of the Octave and the Memorial of St Thomas a Becket

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Our Morning Offering – 29 December – Fifth Day of the Octave and the Memorial of St Thomas a Becket

Hymn/Prayer from the Common of Martyrs

The martyrs living now with Christ
in suffering were tried,
their anguish overcome by love,
when on His cross they died.
Across the centuries they come,
in constancy unmoved,
their loving hearts make no complaint,
in silence they are proved.
No man has ever measured love,
or weighed it in his hand
but God who knows the inmost heart,
gives them the promised land.
Prais Father, Son and Spirit blest
who guide us through the night,
in ways that reach beyond the stars
to everlasting light.
Amenthe martyrs living now with christ - 29 dec - st thomas a becket - 2017

 

 

Posted in ADVENT, BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Adve

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Our Morning Offering – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Blessed are the Pure in Heart
By John Keble (1792-1866)

Bless’d are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their heart is Christ’s abode.

The Lord, who left the heavens,
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their pattern and their King.

He to the lowly soul
Doth still Himself impart,
And for His dwelling and His throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we Thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for Thee.blessed are the pure in heart - 20 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMASTIDE!, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, The CHRIST CHILD

Our Morning Offering – Monday of Gaudete Week – 18 December

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Our Morning Offering – Monday of Gaudete Week – 18 December

6th Century Catholic Advent Hymn
tr. E Caswall (1814-1878)

Hark! a Herald voice is calling;
‘Christ is nigh!’ it seems to say,
‘Cast away the dreams of darkness,
waken, children of the day!’

Startled at the solemn warning,
let the earth-bound soul arise.
Christ her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.

Lo!, the Lamb so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven.
Let us meet Him with repentance,
pray that we may be forgiven.

So when next He comes with glory,
wrapping all the earth in fear.
May He then as our Defender,
on the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, praise and blessing,
to the Father and the Son,
with the everlasting Spirit,
while unending ages run.hark a herald voice is calling - 6th cent hymn - 18 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

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Our Morning Offering – 16 December – Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

A 10th Century Catholic Advent Prayer

Unknown Author

You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter’s power,
without leaving the heights
You came to the depths
in Your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity
by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures,
long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At Your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light
and You judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.   Amen10th cent advent prayer - you are our eternal salvation - 16 dec 2017

 

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The CHRIST CHILD

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – Friday of the Second Week of Advent

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Our Morning Offering – 15 December – Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Grant us Your light O Lord
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Doctor of the Church

Grant us Your light O Lord
so that the darkness of our hearts
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the light of Christ.
For Christ is that Morning Star,
who, when the night
of this world has passed
brings to His saints
the promised light of life
and opens to them everlasting day.
Amen

grant us your light o lord - st bede - 15 dec 2017

Posted in HYMNS, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 13 December – Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

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Our Morning Offering – 13 December – Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

18th Century Advent Hymn/Prayer

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.18th cent prayer or hymn - 13 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The CHRIST CHILD

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – Monday of the Second Week of Adve

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Our Morning Offering – 11 December – Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Come, Sun and Saviour
8th Century Catholic Advent Prayer/Hymn

Come, Sun and Saviour,
to embrace Our gloomy world,
its weary race,
As groom to bride, as bride to groom:
The wedding chamber, Mary’s womb.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heaven, shall call you Lord.
Come in Your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below,
From all assaults of our dread foe.come sun and saviour - 8th cent advent hymn - 11 dec 2017