Friday, January 1, 2010

Octave of Christmas: Mary, Mother of God, Office of Readings

Radix Iesse flóruit
The root of Jesse has blossomed
et virga fructum édidit;
and the sprout has borne fruit;
fecúnda partum prótulit
A fruitful woman has brought forth a child
et virgo mater pérmanet.
and the mother remains a virgin.

Præsæpe poni pértulit
He allowed Himself to be placed in a manger
qui lucis auctor éxstitit;
The Author of light has appeared;
cum Patre cælos cóndidit,
with the Father the heavens He created
sub matre pannos índuit.
beneath His mother he is wrapped in rags.

Legem dedit qui sæculo,
He who gave the universe its law,
cuius decem præcépta sunt,
from Whom the ten commandments came,
dignándo factus est homo
condescended to be made man
sub legis esse vínculo.
and to be subject to these laws.

Iam lux salúsque náscitur,
Now Light and Salvation has been born,
nox díffugit, mors víncitur;
night has run away, death has been conquered
veníte, gentes, crédite:
Come, peoples, believe
Deum María prótulit.
that Mary has brought forth God.

Iesu, tibi sit glória,
Jesus, to Thee be glory,
qui natus es de Vírgine,
Thou who are born of a Virgin
cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
with the Father and the nourishing Spirit,
in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.
unto eternal ages.

Author unknown. 7th-8th c. Fortunato? These are verses 4, 5, 7 & 8 of the hymn Agnócat omne saeculum sung at the Vespers of Annunciation, March 25.

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