Hymni A Beato Gregorio Papa Conscripti

Hymns Composed by the Blessed Pope Gregory. For the Lord’s Day. At Nocturns. Of all days the first, on which the world was founded, or on which the Creator, rising again, frees us, death having been conquered. With drowsiness driven far away, let us all rise more quickly, and by night let us seek the pious one, as we know the prophet. That he may hear our prayers, and extend his right hand, and, cleansed of our stains, return us to the seats of the heavens. So that on this most sacred day, at this time of day, in the quiet hours we sing psalms, he may reward us with blessed gifts. Now, O Fatherly Brightness, we beseech you earnestly, that every harmful deed may not defile or weaken the bond of our body, through which we ourselves might be burned more fiercely by the fires of hell. For this, O Redeemer, we ask that you wash away our shameful acts, and kindly bestow upon us the benefits of eternal life. So that, exiled by the action of the flesh, ourselves made celibate, as we bow down in expectation, we may sing a song of glory. Grant, O most holy Father, and O Only-begotten, equal to the Father, with the Paraclete Spirit, reigning through every age.

Another. Rising in the night, let us all keep watch: let us always meditate on the Psalms, and with all our efforts sweetly sing hymns to the Lord. So that, singing in like manner to the pious King, together with His saints we may merit to enter the hall of heaven, and at the same time to lead a blessed life. May the blessed Deity of the Father, and of the Son, and likewise of the Holy Spirit, whose glory resounds throughout the whole world, grant us this. Amen. At Lauds. Behold, now the shadow of night is thinning, the ruddy dawn of light is gleaming: with all our efforts let us all beseech the Almighty. That our God, having pity, may drive away all weakness, grant health, and in the mercy of the Father give us the kingdoms of the heavens. May the blessed Deity grant us this, as above. At Vespers. Best Creator of light, bringing forth the light of days, at the beginnings of new light preparing the origin of the world. You who command the morning joined to evening to be called day, as dark chaos slips away, hear our prayers with tears. Lest a mind weighed down by crime be an exile from the gift of life, while it thinks of the eternal and entangles itself in faults.

Let him strike the innermost part of the heavens, let him bear away the life-giving reward, let us avoid every harmful thing, let us purge away every worst thing. IN LENT. AT NOCTURNS. The bright glory of fasting is shown to the world from heaven, in that Christ, the author of all things, consecrated it by abstaining from foods. Moses, the lawgiver, made dear to God, and Elias, through this, were carried through the air in a fiery chariot. Hence Daniel, the victor over lions, had seen the mysteries; through this, John, the intimate friend of the Bridegroom, became illustrious. Grant us, O God, to follow these gifts, these examples of frugality; increase the strength of our minds, giving spiritual joy. Amen. AT VESPERS. Hear, O kind Creator, our prayers with tears, poured forth in this sacred forty-day fast. O nourishing Searcher of hearts, you know the weakness of our strength; to those returning to you, show the grace of forgiveness. We have indeed sinned much; but spare those who confess; for the praise of your name, grant healing to the weak. Thus grant that the body be worn down outwardly through abstinence, so that the sober mind may fast from the stain of crimes entirely.

Grant, O blessed Trinity, Concede, O simple Unity, That the gifts of fasts may be fruitful for your people. Amen. ON PALM SUNDAY. With great joy of salvation Let every age rejoice, Jesus, Redeemer of all, Healed the ailing world. Six days before the Paschal feasts He came into Bethany, Where piously after three days He raised Lazarus. Mary took a pound of the finest spikenard, Anointed the blessed feet of the Lord, moistening them with tears. After this, on a she-ass, Jesus, the supreme judge, Sat upon the colt: he was proceeding to glorious Jerusalem. O how wondrous the piety, the marvelous mercy of God! The author of the age deigns to become a rider of a little ass. The crowd had taken up green branches, cut tender palm, A very great multitude went forth to meet the eternal King. Honor, power, empire Be to the unique Trinity, To the Father, Son, and Paraclete Through infinite ages. Amen. ON THE PASSION OF THE LORD. King Christ, maker of all, Redeemer of believers as well, Appease the prayers of suppliants, who honor you with praises.

Whose benign grace, through the blessed wounds of the cross, by its power looses the hard bonds of the first parent. You who are the creator of the stars, you put on a covering of flesh, deigning to suffer this most vile form of pain. You are bound in order to loose the accomplices of the falling world, cleansing crimes through shameful treatment, which the world has in abundance. You are fixed to the cross, O Redeemer, but you shake the whole earth; you give up your mighty spirit, and the age grows dark. Soon, resplendent on the summit of your Father’s glory, with the protection of the Spirit, defend us, O best King. Amen.