Compline from the Ascension to Pentecost

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between the Ascension and Pentecost.

  
This period of the liturgical year, where Compline changes dramatically, began during Lent.  With the coming of the Ascension, and its brief liturgical season, we are approaching the end of this wonderful time of the year when we are reminded of the seasons when praying Compline.

Compline begins as usual.  After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.  This is the same hymn that was prayed during Paschaltide, with the exception of the last two (2) stanza's, which change during Ascensiontide.

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.	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
From the Ascension to Pentecost, the last two versus are:
Tu estro nostrum gáudium, Qui es futúrus prǽmium Sit nostra in te glória Per cuncta semper sǽcula. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui scandis supre sídera, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant.at Nunc dimittis:  Allelúia.  Ascéndens Chrsitus in altum, allelúia, captívam duxit captivitátem, allelúia, allelúia.	Be you our joy, be you our Lord, Who are to be our great reward; O let our glory be in you, For ever and for ever true. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Ascending over the stars today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant.at Nunc dimittis:  Alleluia.  When Christ ascended on high, alleluia, he led a host of captives, alleluia, alleluia.

The antiphon at the Nunc dimittis is proper to the Ascension season as well.