Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 14 January – In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost By St Hilary

Our Morning Offering – 14 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Hilary (315-368) Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
By St Hilary (315-368)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of the Truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast to that
which we professed
when we were Baptised
in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
that we may have Thou for our Father,
that we may abide in Thy Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The EPIPHANY Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 13 January – Jesus, Light of All the Nations By St Hilary

Our Morning Offering – 13 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – The Eighth Day, The Octave of the Epiphany

Jesus Refulsit Omnium
Jesus, Light of All the Nations

By St Hilary (315-368)
Father & Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Divinity of Christ

Jesus, the merciful Redeemer of all nations,
shone forth on this day;
let the faithful of every race
celebrate Him in their songs of praise.

A Star, shining in the heavens,
announces His Birth;
it leads the way
and guides them to His Crib.

Prostrating, they adore the Infant
wrapped in swaddling clothes;
they confess Him to be the true God,
offering Him their mystic gifts.

Thirty years of His life had passed
and He, the infinitely pure God,
seeks the laver of baptism.

John, the favoured Baptist
trembles as he bends the head of Jesus
beneath the waters–that Jesus whose Blood
was to purify the whole earth from its sins.

The Divine Voice of the Father is heard from Heaven,
bearing testimony to His Son
and the Holy Ghost, too, is present,
the Giver of holy grace.

We beseech Thee in humble supplication,
O Jesus! protect Thy people;
we ask it of Thee by the power Thou didst show
when Thou didst command
the water to be changed into wine.

May praise, honour and all power
be to the Trinity forever and forever.
Amen

(Verses 4-6 omitted on the image).
I could not find the name of the Translator of this version of this Hymn, often referred to as “the oldest” Christmas Hymn.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, Holy Family PRAYERS, HYMNS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 12 January – O House of Nazareth The Blest

Our Morning Offering – 12 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Holy Family

O Gente Felix
O House of Nazareth The Blest
Prayer
In Honour of the Holy Family
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.

In all the spreading lands of earth.
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!

We know thy humble tenement
Was heaven’s hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.

There, whatsoever Joseph asks
Christ hastens to fulfil;
While Mary loves the household tasks
That wait her joyous will.

There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.

Yet how their bosoms constant burn
And deeper ardours prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love.

O then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.

All praise to thee, O Jesus,
Who parents dost obey;
Praise to the sovereign Father
And Paraclete for aye.
Amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, Holy Family PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – Consecration to the Holy Family

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”

Consecration to the Holy Family
Approved by Pope Leo XIII
20 June 1892

O Most Loving Jesus,
Who by Thy ineffable virtues
and by the example of Thy domestic life,
didst Consecrate the family
which Thou didst choose on earth.
In Thy clemency, look down upon this household,
humbly prostrate before Thee
and imploring Thy mercy.
Remember that this family belongs to Thee,
for to Thee we have, in a special way,
dedicated and devoted ourselves.
Look upon us in Thy loving kindness,
preserve us from every danger,
give us help in the time of need
and grant us the grace to persevere
to the end, in the imitation of Thy Holy Family
that having revered Thee
and loved Thee faithfully upon earth,
we may bless and praise Thee eternally in Heaven.

O Mary, most sweet Mother,
to thy intercession we have recourse,
knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers.

And do thee,
O glorious Patriarch, Saint Joseph,
assist us by thy powerful mediation
and offer, by the hands of Mary,
our prayers to Jesus.
Amen

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 10 January – Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name By St Bernardine

Our Morning Offering – 10 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” –Within the Epiphany Octave

Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name
By St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
Apostle of the Most Holy Name

Jesus,
Name full of glory, grace, love and strength!
Thou art the Refuge of those who repent,
our Banner of warfare in this life,
the Medicine of souls,
the Comfort of those who mourn,
the Delight of those who believe,
the Light of those who preach the True Faith,
the Wages of those who toil,
the Cure of the sick.
To Thou, our devotion aspires;
by Thee, our prayers are received;
we delight in contemplating Thee.
O Name of Jesus,
Thou art the glory
of all the Saints for eternity.
Amen

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 9 January – The Love of Thy Name

Our Morning Offering – 9 January – Within the Octave of Epiphany – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus”

The Love of Thy Name
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ

(Book 3 Ch 26:1-4)

My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
which draws me from love of the eternal
and lures me to its evil self,
by the sight of some delightful good
in the present.
Let it not overcome me, my God.
Let not flesh and blood conquer me.
Let not the world and its brief glory
deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness.
Give me courage to resist,
patience to endure
and constancy to persevere.
Give me the soothing unction of Thy spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me,
the love of Thy Name.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, Our MORNING Offering, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD

Our Morning Offering – 8 January – The Eastern Kings the Star Have Seen!

Our Morning Offering – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of The Epiphany

The Eastern Kings the Star Have Seen!
Unknown Author

The Eastern Kings the Star have seen,
They hasten on their way;
Long time they’ve watched and waiting been
The dawning of that Day:
The dawning of the Day of grace,
The gleam of Jacob’s Star,
The Virgin’s Child of Jesse’s race
Whom Prophets saw afar.

Glory give to God on high!

And now they open treasures rare
Which Indian silks enfold,
Of Myrrh which sweetly scents the air,
Of Frankincense and gold.
Their kingly heads they meekly bow
The cradled Babe before,
Their God confess, and kneeling low
In humble faith adore.

Glory give to God on high!

With them I come to greet my King,
Yet not with them to part;
No Gold, no Frankincense I bring,
I offer Him my heart.
With Him to live, with Him to die,
Who by His lowly birth,
Gave glory to our God on high
And peace to men on earth.

Glory give to God on high!
Amen!

Posted in Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on DEATH

Our Morning Offering – 7 January – Grant Us, O Lord Jesus – Indulgenced Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family

Our Morning Offering – 7 January – Within the Octave of Epiphany – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” and the Feast of the Holy Family

Grant Us, O Lord Jesus
Indulgenced Prayer in Honour
of the Holy Family

(Indulgence: 200 days, Once a Day
Pope Leo XIII
)

Grant us, O Lord Jesus,
faithfully to imitate
the examples of Thy Holy Family,
so that in the hour of our death,
in the company of Thy glorious Virgin Mother
and St Joseph, we may deserve
to be received by Thee,
into eternal tablernacles.
Amen

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Our Morning Offering – 6 January – Prayer for the Intercession of the Three Kings, Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar

Our Morning Offering – 6 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – The Feast of The Epiphany of the Lord

Prayer for the Intercession of the Three Kings,
Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar
By Cologne Cathedral

(An Imprimatur has been granted for this
publication – Cologne Cathedral)

Lord and God
Thou created us
for a lifelong journey to Thee.
Each one of us takes a different path,
over mountains and through valleys,
through joy and sorrow and need.
May the Three Holy Kings guide us in our wanderings,
as their faith, knowledge and determination guided them
through many perils on their journey to Thee.
They saw Thee, knelt before Thee,
offered up their gifts and paid homage to Thee,
They were filled with the joy of finding Thee!

Lord and God,
We thank Thee for granting us the freedom
to seek and find Thee, our life’s goal!
Grant us the faith, strength and trust we need,
to follow in the path of the Three Kings.
Give us courage when we are at risk
of taking easier but false paths,
Let us experience the joy of being with Thee
at the end of our journey,
so that we may be eternally surrounded by Thy Love.
We ask this, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
the destination of every pilgrimage.
Amen!

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The DIVINE INFANT, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 25 December – Its Christmas Day! – A Solis Ortus Cardine – Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise

Our Morning Offering – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and Redeemer – Its Christmas Day!

Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise
A Solis Ortus Cardine
By Coelius Sedulius (Died c450)
Trans Msgr Ronald A Knox (1888-1957)

Afar from where the sun doth rise
To lands beneath the western skies,
Homage to Christ our King we pay,
Born of a Virgin’s womb this day

Blessed Creator, Thou didst take__
A servant’s likeness for our sake,
And didst in flesh our flesh restore
To bid Thy creature live once more.

Chaste was the womb where Thou didst dwell,
Of heavenly grace the hidden cell;
Nor might the blessed Maid proclaim
Whence her dread Guest in secret came.

Down from on high God came to rest__
His glory in a sinless breast;
Obedience at His word believed,
And virgin innocence conceived.

Ere long, that holy child she bore
By Gabriel’s message named before,
Whom yet unborn, with eager pride,
The swift forerunner prophesied.

Fast doth He sleep, where straw doth spread,
A humble manger for His bed.
A Mother’s milk that strength renewed,
Which gives the birds of heaven their food.

Glory to God, the angels cry;
Earth hears the echo from on high;
Mankind’s true Shepherd and it’s Lord
By shepherd hearts is first adored.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 24 December – Magnis Prophetæ Vocibus, With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry

Our Morning Offering – 24 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Magnis Prophetæ Vocibus
With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry
Unknown Author

With mighty voice the prophets cry
that Christ the Lord is drawing nigh;
rejoicing, they foresee the grace
by which He saves us and redeems.

And so our morning sun shines forth,
our hearts ablaze with radiant joy;
we hear the faithful voice resound,
precursor of God’s glorious gift.

At that first Advent, Christ our God
came forth not to condemn the world,
but came to cleanse our gaping wound,
to seek and save what had been lost.

Christ’s Second Coming warns us all
that He is standing at the gates,
to give to saints their glorious crowns
and open wide the heav’nly realm.

Eternal light is now foretold,
the saving star is shining forth,
its radiant splendour summons us
and calls us to the heav’nly court.

Christ Jesus, Thou alone we seek
to see Thee face-to-face as God;
may this unending vision be
an everlasting hymn of praise.
Amen.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on FEAR, The LAMB of GOD, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding
Vox Clare
Unknown Author – 5th or 6th Century
Trans: Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hark! A herald voice is sounding!
Christ is near,” we hear it say.
Cast away the works of darkness,
all you children of the day!”

2 See, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all, to be forgiv’n.

3 So, when next He Comes in glory
and the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with His mercy
and with words of love draw near.

4 Honour, glory, might, dominion
to the Father and the Son
with the everlasting Spirit
while eternal ages run!
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 22 December – Saviour of the Nations, Come!

Our Morning Offering – 22 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Veni Redemptor Gentium
Saviour of the Nations, Come!
St Ambrose’s (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Saviour of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its Light Divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this Light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Amen!

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 December – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice! – The Feast of St Thomas, Apostle

Our Morning Offering – 21 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of St Thomas, Apostle

Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice
!
Unknown Author

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.

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

Our Morning Offering – 19 December – Creator Alme Siderum, Creator of the Starry Frame

Our Morning Offering – 19 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Starry Frame
7th Century Advent Hymn

Creator of the starry frame;
Eternal Light of all who live;
Jesu, Redeemer of mankind,
An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.

When man was sunk in sin and death,
Lost in the depth of Satan’s snare,
Love brought Thee down to cure our ills,
By taking of those ills a share.

Thou for the sake of guilty men,
Causing Thine own pure blood to flow,
Didst issue from Thy Virgin-shrine,
And to the Cross a Victim go.

So great the glory of Thy might,
If we but chance Thy Name to sound,
At once all Heaven and Hell unite
In bending low with awe profound.

Great Judge of all, in that last day,
When friends shall fail and foes combine,
Be present then with us, we pray,
To guard us with Thy arm divine.

To God the Father and the Son,
All praise and power and glory be,
With Thee, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth through all eternity.

Also known as Advent Hymn, this translation of the Latin hymn Creator Alme Siderum (Pope Urban VIII’s 1632 revision of the 7th Century Hymn Conditor alme siderum) was first published in Fr Edward Caswall’s Lyra Catholica,

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – Awaiting Baby Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of Our Lady of Expectation

Awaiting Baby Jesus
Traditional Catholic Advent Prayer

My heart is beating,
filled with joy,
awaiting Mary’s Baby Boy.
For with this Child, we embrace
the birth of God’s
most precious grace.
Baby Jesus, soon to come!
For us comes the Promised One.
Baby Jesus, God’s own Son,
Thou will be the Chosen One
to lead Thy flock unto salvation.
Our eternal life awaits.
The birth of Jesus brings us nearer
Heaven’s Holy Gates.
Sing with joy
and count the days,
for soon to come,
the Lord we’ll praise.
Rejoice that Jesus
will soon arrive,
the Messiah and our faith alive.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – Prepare for Christ your Saviour!

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Prepare for Christ your Saviour!
Stanbrook Abbey

Throughout a world in shadow,
John’s urgent voice we hear;
Prepare for Christ your Saviour!
The Son of God is near.

He gives a new beginning
To those who turn from sin,
Who answer love with loving
By turning back to Him.

His veiled but certain splendour
Begins to shine from far;
He comes, His Saints around Him,
The bright and Morning Star.

With all who wait in longing,
Give thanks that never cease,
For Him Whom God is sending
To visit us in peace.
Amen

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – O Jesus, Dear Holy Child By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

O Jesus, Dear Holy Child
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)

O Jesus,
dear Holy Child,
my only treasure,
I abandon myself to Thy every whim.
I seek no other joy
than that of calling forth Thy sweet Smile.
Vouchsafe to me, the graces and the virtues
of Thy Holy Childhood,
so that, on the day of my birth into Heaven,
the Angels and Saints
may recognise in Thy Spouse,
Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
Amen

Posted in IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PURITY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

Our Morning Offering – 15 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Octave Day of the Immaculate Conception

O Purest of Creatures,
Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid

By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,
The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!
Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we
Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,
And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;
And the tempest-tossed Church,—
all her eyes are on thee;
They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,
For the empire of sin—it had never been there;
None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.
And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,
And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;
His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,
He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, GATE of HEAVEN, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 14 December – O Gloriosa Virginum By St Venantius Fortunatus

Our Morning Offering – 14 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception – Today is also the Feast day of dear St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Poet, Hymnist, Writer. Another “Golden Words”:

O Gloriosa Virginum
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)

O Glorious Virgin, ever blest,
Sublime above the starry sky,
Who nurture from thy spotless breast
To thy Creator didst supply.

What we had lost through hapless Eve,
The Blossom sprung from these restores,
And, granting bliss to souls that grieve,
Unbars the everlasting doors.

O Gate, through which hath passed the King.
O Hall, whence Light shone through the gloom;
The ransomed nations, praise and sing
Life given from the Virgin womb.

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen

O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the Hymn: Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera. It was composed by St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) the Bishop of Poitiers.
In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the Hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to O Gloriósa Vírginum.
It is sung in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Roman Breviary.
It is said that St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was always singing this Hymn. His mother sang it to him as a baby,and even on his death bed after receiving Extreme Unction, he intoned the Hymn.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – O Gloriosa Femina, O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

O Gloriosa Femina
O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Father o the Church

O Glorious Maid, exalted far
Beyond the light of burning star,
From Him who made thee, thou hast won
Grace to be Mother of His Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve
Thy holy Scion did retrieve:
The tear-worn sons of Adam’s race
Through thee have seen the heavenly place.

Thou wast the gate of Heaven’s high Lord,
The door through which the Light hath poured.
Christians rejoice, for through a Maid
To all mankind is life conveyed!

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.

This Hymn was used for Lauds in the Sarum Breviary for the Feasts of the Immaculate Conception, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation, the Assumption and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The above is the original text of this Hymn as it appears in The English Hymnal (1906), where it is listed as a Morning Office Hymn for Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Chant Tone: “O Gloriosa Domina” Gregorian Chant, Mode II, traditional.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

O Mary, Mother of God
(O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted)
By St Ephrem of Syria (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted,
O Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of the universe,
thou art above all the saints,
the hope of the elect
and the joy of all the blessed.
It is thou who hast reconciled us with God;
thou art the only refuge of sinners
and the safe harbour of those
who are shipwrecked;
thou art the consolation of the world,
the ransom of captives,
the health of the weak,
the joy of the afflicted
and the salvation of all.
We have recourse to thee
and we beseech thee
to have pity on us.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOMINICAN OP, GATE of HEAVEN, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PURITY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – INVIOLATA!

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

INVIOLATA!
INVIOLATE!
Unknown Author
(11th Century)

Thou art inviolate, undefiled
and chaste, O Mary.
Thou has become the resplendent
Gate of Heaven,
O loving and dearest Mother of Christ,
Accept our devout acclamations
in praise of thee.
That our minds and bodies
may be pure,
Devoted hearts and lips
now implore thee.
Through thy sweet sounding prayers,
Gain us pardon forever.
O kind one, who alone
didst remain inviolate.
Amen

The Hymn Inviolata has been claimed by the Carmelite Order, as a Traditional Hymn originating within their ranks. The Hymn is also used by Dominican Friars in the chanting of Compline. Its origins trace to the 11th Century. It appears in Hymnals from 1860 to 1920.

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – Creator Alme Siderum – Creator of the Starry Frame

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday

Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Starry Frame
7th Century Advent Hymn

Creator of the starry frame;
Eternal Light of all who live;
Jesu, Redeemer of mankind,
An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.

When man was sunk in sin and death,
Lost in the depth of Satan’s snare,
Love brought Thee down to cure our ills,
By taking of those ills a share.

Thou for the sake of guilty men,
Causing Thine own pure blood to flow,
Didst issue from Thy Virgin-shrine,
And to the Cross a Victim go.

So great the glory of Thy might,
If we but chance Thy Name to sound,
At once all Heaven and Hell unite
In bending low with awe profound.

Great Judge of all, in that last day,
When friends shall fail and foes combine,
Be present then with us, we pray,
To guard us with Thy arm divine.

To God the Father and the Son,
All praise and power and glory be,
With Thee, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth through all eternity.

Also known as Advent Hymn, this translation of the Latin hymn Creator Alme Siderum (Pope Urban VIII’s 1632 revision of the 7th Century Hymn Conditor alme siderum) was first published in Fr Edward Caswall’s Lyra Catholica,

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – Immaculate! Immaculate!

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate! Immaculate!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

O Mother! I could weep for mirth,
Joy fills my heart so fast;
My soul today is Heaven on earth,
O could the transport last!
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

When Jesus looks upon thy face,
His Heart with rapture glows
And in the Church, by His sweet Grace,
Thy blessed worship grows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,—
Immaculate! Immaculate!

The Angels answer with their songs,
Bright choirs in gleaming rows
And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs
And Heaven with bliss o’erflows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!”
It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.

Posted in CARMELITES, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Let Me Sing the Song of Love By St Thérèse

Our Morning Offering – 6 December

Let Me Sing the Song of Love
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)

Deepen Thy love in me, O Lord
that I may learn, in my inmost heart
how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved
and to plunge myself into Thy love.
Let Thy love possess
and raise me above myself,
with a fervour and wonder beyond imagination.
Let me sing the song of love.
Let me follow Thee into the heights.
Let my soul spend itself in Thy praise,
rejoicing for love.
Let me love Thee more than myself
and myself, only for Thy sake.
Let me love others, as Thy law commands.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 5 December – I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary

Our Morning Offering – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
By Father John Wyse (1825-1898)
Irish Priest and Hymn writer

I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
The Mother of my God,
The Virgin of all virgins,
Of David’s royal blood.
O teach me, Holy Mary,
A loving song to frame,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.

O Lily of the Valley,
O Mystic Rose, what tree,
Or flower, e’en the fairest,
Is half so fair as thee?
O let me, tho’ so lowly
Recite my Mother’s fame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

O noble Tower of David,
Of gold and ivory.
The ark of God’s own promise,
The gate of Heav’n to me.
To live and not to love thee
Would fill my soul with shame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

When troubles dark afflict me
In sorrow and in care,
Thy light doth ever guide me
O beauteous Morning Star.
Lo, I’ll be ever ready
Thy goodly help to claim,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.

The Saints are high in glory,
With golden crowns so bright;
But brighter far is Mary,
Upon her throne of light.
Oh that which God did give thee,
Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

But in the crown of Mary,
There lies a wonderous gem,
As Queen of all the Angels,
Which Mary shares with them;
No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
So doth our faith proclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

And now O Virgin Mary
My mother and my Queen,
I’ve sung thy praise so bless me,
And keep my heart from sin.
When others jeer and mock thee,
I’ll often think how I
To shield my Mother, Mary,
Would lay me down and die.

Verses 4, 5 and 6 omitted on image.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Dear Saviour, Haste! Venez divin Messie

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Dear Saviour, Haste!
Venez divin Messie
By Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin (1663-1745)

Dear Saviour, haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night
and show Thy Face
And bid us hail
the Dawn of grace.
O come, Divine Messias,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.
Amen

This is the Refrain from a beautiful Advent Hymn by Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, a French Cluniac Monk, Poet, Composer and Playwright.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee By St Francis Xavier (1

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – An Act of Thanksgiving By St Gertrude the Great

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

An Act of Thanksgiving
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

(Excerpt from her Revelations)

May my soul bless Thee,
O Lord God my Creator,
may my soul bless Thee!
From the very core of my being,
may all Thy merciful gifts sing Thy praise.
Thy generous care, for Thy daughter,
has been rich in mercy;
indeed, it has been immeasurable
and as far as I am able,
I give Thee thanks.
I praise and glorify,
Thy great patience which bore with me.
I offer Thee, most loving Father,
all the sufferings of Thine Beloved Son,
from that first Infant cry
as He lay on the hay in the manger,
until that final movement, when,
bowing His Head, with a mighty Voice,
Christ gave up His Spirit.
I think, as I make this offering,
of all that He underwent,
His needs as a Babe,
His dependence as a young Child,
the hardships of Youth
and the trials of early Manhood.
To atone for all my neglect,
I offer, most loving Father,
all that Thine Only-begotten Son did
during His Life,
whether in thought, word or deed.
And now, as an act of thanksgiving,
I praise and worship Thee Father,
in deepest humility,
for Thy most loving kindness and mercy.
Amen