| Contents | Sacra iam splendent A Thousand Lights Their Glory Shed |
SanctaFamilia |
Written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). This hymn is used for the Office of the Readings on the Feast of the Holy Family. In the current Liturgy of the Hours, only verses 3,5,7,8 and 10 are used and is titled Dulce fit nobis memorare parvum.
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| SACRA iam splendent decorata lychnis templa, iam sertis redimitur ara, et pio fumant redolentque acerrae thuris honore. |
A THOUSAND lights their glory shed on shrines and altars garlanded: while swinging censers dusk the air with perfumed prayer. |
| Num iuvet Summo Geniti Parente regios ortus celebrare cantu? num domus David, decora et vetustae nomina gentis? |
And shall we sing the ancestry of Jesus, Son of God most High? Or the heroic names retrace of David's race? |
| Gratius nobis memorare parvum Nazarae tectum, tenuemque cultum gratius Iesu tacitam referre carmine vitam. |
Sweeter is lowly Nazareth, where Jesus drew His childish breath- sweeter the singing that endears His hidden years. |
| Nili ab extremis peregrinus oris, angeli ductu, propere remigrat multa perpessus Puer, et paterno limine sospes. |
An Angel leads the pilgrim band from Egypt to their native land, where Jesus clings to Joseph's arm, secure from harm. |
| Arte, qua Ioseph, humili excolendus abdito Iesus iuvenescit aevo, seque fabrilis socium laboris adiicit ultro. |
And the Child grew in wisdom's ken and years and grace with God and men; and in His father's humble art took share and part. |
| Irriget sudor mea membra, dixit, antequam sparso madeant cruore: haec quoque humano generi expiando poena luatur. |
"With toil," saith He, "my limbs are wet, prefiguring the bloody sweat:" Ah, how He bears our chastisement with sweet content! |
| Assidet Nato pia Mater almo, assidet Sponso bona nupta, felix si potest curas relevare fessis munere amico. |
At Joseph's bench, at Jesus' side, the Mother sits, the Virgin-Bride: Happy, if she may cheer their hearts with loving arts. |
| O neque expertes opere et laboris, nec mali ignari, miseros iuvate, quos reluctantes per acuta rerum urget egestas. |
O Blessed Three! who felt the sting of want and toil and suffering, pity the needy and the obscure lot of the poor. |
| Demite his fastus, quibus ampla splendet faustitas, mentem date rebus aquam: quotquot implorant columen, benigno cernite vultu. |
Banish the pride of life from all whom ample wealth and joys befall: Be every heart with love repaid that seeks your aid. |
| Sit tibi, Iesu, decus atque virtus, sancta qui vitae documenta praebes, quique cum summo Genitore et almo flamine regnas. |
Glory to Thee, O Iesu dear, model of holy living hear! Who reign'st, with Sire and Holy Ghost oe'er heaven's host. |
| From the Roman Breviary. Translation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946). |
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