Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.
Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.
Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.
Jesu, nostra redémptio,
Amor et desidérium,
Deus Creátor ómnium,
Homo in fine témporum:
Quæ te vicit cleméntia,
Ut ferres nostra crímina,
Crudélem mortem pátiens,
Ut nos a morte tólleres?
Inférni claustra pénetrans,
Tuos captívos rédimens,
Victor triúmpho nóbili
Ad dextram Patris résidens:
Ipsa te cogat píetas
Ut mala nostra súperes
Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes
Nos tuo vultu sáties.
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Redemption, Jesus, all divine,
Whom here we love, for whom we pine,
God, working our creation’s plan,
And, in the latter time, made man:
What love of yours was that which led
To take our woes upon your head,
And pangs and cruel death to bear,
To ransom us from death’s despair!
You pierced the halls of Limbo bare,
Gave freedom to your captives there;
And now you sit in victor’s pride
Triumphant at the Father’s side.
Let very mercy force you still
To spare us, conquering each ill;
We pray you grant us our request,
That seeing you we may be blest
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From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are: | |
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum,
In hoc pascháli gáudio,
Ab omni mortis ímpetu
Tuum defénde pópulum.
Glória tibi, Dómine,
Qui surrexísti a mórtuis,
Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu
In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen
Ant. At Nunc Dimittis : Allelúia. Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia, sicut dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.
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Creator great, be you our guide
In this the joy of Easter-tide;
Whenever assaults of death impend,
Your people strengthen and defend.
All glory, Lord, to you we pay,
Arisen from the dead, today;
With Father and the Spirit be
All glory yours eternally. Amen.
Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia. The
Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you,
alleluia, alleluia.
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The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.