During Eastertide, the Church’s Marian hymn of choice is the Regina Caeli: Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia; Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia: Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. (Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia; the Son you merited to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia.) JustContinue reading “Alleluia!”
Tag Archives: hymns
Many Mansions
Te Deum is the great thanksgiving hymn of the Church, highly appropriate in Eastertide as well other seasons of triumph. Traditionally ascribed to St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397), it strikes me as a joyful extension of the Gloria—more didactic, but every bit as exultant in the greatness of our God. By detailing the ranks ofContinue reading “Many Mansions”
Mother and Son
Stabat Mater is a medieval poem, originally designed for private devotion, and eventually incorporated into the liturgy of Holy Week. This amazing site provides a line-by-line examination of the Latin text, with various possible English renditions. The version most familiar to Anglophones, “At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping,” provides easyContinue reading “Mother and Son”
Queen of Heaven
Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned. Hail, by angels mistress owned. Root of Jesse, Gate of Morn Whence the world’s true Light was born: Glorious Virgin, Joy to thee, Loveliest whom in heaven they see; Fairest thou, where all are fair, Plead with Christ our souls to spare. Ave Regina Caelorum Dr. John Pepino discussesContinue reading “Queen of Heaven”
Help for the Fallen
Loving Mother of the Redeemer, who remain the open Gate of Heaven, and Star of the Sea: Give aid to a falling people that strives to rise! O Thou, who begot thy holy Begetter while all nature marveled, virgin before and after, receiving that “Ave” from the mouth of Gabriel: Have mercy on sinners! AlmaContinue reading “Help for the Fallen”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 