O gente felix hospita

O gente felix hospita
O House of Nazareth the Blest

Written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). This hymn was formerly used for Lauds on the Feast of the Holy Family.

O GENTE felix hospita, augusta sedes Nazarae, quae fovit alma Ecclesiae et protulit primordia.	O HOUSE of Nazareth the blest, fair hostess of the Lord, the Church was nurtured at thy breast and shared thy scanty hoard.
Sol, qui pererrat aureo terras iacentes lumine, nil gratius per saecula haec vidit aede, aut sanctius.	In all the spreading lands of earth the wandering sun may see no dearer spot, no ampler worth than erst was found in thee!
Ad hanc frequentes convolant caelestis aulae nuntii, virtus hoc sacrarium visunt, revisunt, excolunt.	We know thy humble tenement was heaven's hermitage: Celestial heralds came and went in endless embassage.
Quae mente, Iesu, qua manu, optata patris perficit! Quo Virgo gestit gaudio materna obire munera!	There, whatsoever Ioseph asks Christ hastens to fulfill; while Mary loves the household tasks that wait her joyous will.
Adest amoris particeps curaeque Ioseph coniugi, quos mille iungit nexibus virtutis auctor gratia.	There, Joseph toileth at her side her joys and griefs to share, with thousand ties knit to his bride, of love and work and prayer.
Hi diligentes invicem in Iesu amorem confluunt, utrique Iesu mutuae dat caritatis praemia.	Yet how their bosoms constant burn and deeper ardors prove in love of Christ, whose eyes return tokens of mutual love.
Sic fiat, ut nos caritas iungat perenni foedere, pacemque alens domesticam amara vitae temperet!	O then, in all the homes of earth, be Love the bond of life: May it enthrone at every hearth the peace that husheth strife.
Iesu, tuis oboediens qui factus es parentibus, cum Patre summo ac Spiritu semper sibi sit gloria.	All praise to Thee, O Jesus, who parents dost obey; Praise to the sovereign Father and Paraclete for aye.

From the Roman Breviary. Translation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946).

©copyrighted by Michael Martin