Mary's hymn

"It is an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church
that we should sing Mary’s hymn at the time of evening prayer.

"By meditating upon the incarnation,
our devotion is kindled,
and by remembering the example of God’s Mother,
we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue.

"Such virtues are best achieved in the evening.

"We are weary
after the day’s work
and worn out
by our distractions.

"The time for rest is near,
and our minds are ready
for contemplation."


from a sermon
by St Bede the Venerable
in today's Office of the Readings

Magnificat

Et Maria dixit,
Magnificat anima mea Dominum,
et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.
And Mary said,
Great does my soul declare the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Savior
for he has regarded the humility of his handmaid.

Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,
quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,

Behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed,
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;

et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies
timentibus eum.

and His mercy is from generation to generation
to those who fear Him.

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,
dispersit superbos mente cordi sui;
deposuit potentes de sede
et exaltavit humiles;

He has shown the strength of his arm;
He has scattered the superior in their own minds;
He has unseated the mighty
And has lifted up the humble;

esurientes implevit bonis
et divites dimisit inanes.

The hungry he has filled with good things
and the rich He has sent away empty.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
recordatus misericordiae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

He has received Israel His servant,
remembering His mercy,
just as he said to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Luke 1:46-55
from today's Gospel

Veni Creator Spiritus

Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti, pectora.


Come, Creator, Spirit,
Visit the minds that are Yours.
Fill with heavenly grace
The hearts You created.



Qui diceris Paraclitus,
Altissimi donum Dei,
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.


You who are called the Paraclete,
Gift of God Most High,
Living Spring, Fire, Love,
And Spiritual Anointing.



Tu septiformis munere,
Digitus Paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.


You sevenfold gifts give,
Finger of God's right hand;
You, clear promise of the Father,
The tongue empower.



Accende lumen sensibus,
Infunde amorem cordibus,
Infirma nostri corpis
Virtute firmans perpeti.


Kindle a light in our minds.
Pour love in our hearts.
Our weak bodies
Make firm with Your unfailing strength.



Hostem repellas longius,
Pacemque dones protinus;
Ductore sic te praevio,
Vitemus omne noxium.


Drive our foe far away.
And give us peace always
Lead in such a way that
We may avoid all things despicable.



Per te sciamus da Patrem
Noscamus atque Filium;
Teque utri usque Spiritum
Credamus omni tempore.


Through You, may we know the Father
And know also the Son,
And You, the Spirit of them both
May we believe at all times.



Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito
In sacculorum saecula.


To God the Father be glory
And to the Son, who from death
Rose, and to the Paraclete
For Ages of Ages.

Amen.