MOTHER & REFUGE OF THE END TIMES

hymn from the Roman Brieviary, 5th century

O Christ, whose glory fills the heaven, our only hope, in mercy given; Child of a Virgin meek and pure; Son of the Highest evermore:

Grant us Thine aid Thy praise to sing, as opening days new duties bring; that with the light our life may be renewed and sanctified by Thee.

The morning star fades from the sky, the sun breaks forth; night’s shadows fly: O Thou, true Light, upon us shine: our darkness turn to light divine.

Within us grant Thy light to dwell: and from our souls dark sins expel; Cleanse Thou our minds from stain of ill, and with Thy peace our bosoms fill.

To us strong faith forever give, with joyous hope, in Thee to live; That life’s rough way may ever be made strong and pure by charity.

All laud to God the Father be; All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, to God the Holy Paraclete.

Aeterna caeli gloria, beata spes mortalium, celsi Parentis Unice, castaeque proles Virginis:

Da dexteram surgentibus, exsurgat et mens sobria. flagrans et in laudem Dei grates rependat debitas.

Ortus refulget lucifer, ipsamque lucem nuntiat, cadit caligo noctium, lux sancta nos illuminet.

Manensque ostris sensibus noctem repellat saeculi omnique fine temporis purgata servet pectora.

Quaesita iam primum fides radicet altis sensibus, secunda spes congaudeat, tunc4 maior exstat caritas.

Sit, Christe, rex piissime, tibi Patrique gloria, cum Spiritu Paraclito, in sempiterna saecula. Amen.