The First Sunday of Lent
I sing this hymn each day in Lent from Ash Wednesday through the third week of Lent. It may be found in the Saint Helena Breviary on page 6. I enjoy the rhythm and the tune, while I do not know its notation, is very much in my head and heart.
The fast, as taught by sacred lore,
we come to celebrate once more,
as every year in prayer and praise
we keep these holy forty days.
The law and prophets... had foretold
this Lent in many ways of old,
which Christ, who governs all our time,
in blessed observance made sublime.
Then let us keep this holy Lent,
with watchful and devote intent
that, vigilant, we may prepare
our hearts for God's redeeming care.
As by our lapses we offend
O you who love us, truest friend;
Forgive us Jesus our offense
teach us a new obedience.
Let all the world forevermore
you, gracious Trinity, adore;
and may we spend these forty days
in seeking you and singing praise.
Today I discovered this form sung in the Roman monastic breviary. In comparing the two I discovered how differently they work on my soul. The first while faithful and focused gives me a deeper hope at progress and seems to me to celebrate the reality that many travel this road together in a disciplined daily hope. Perhaps this is so because of the use of the word, celebrate, in the second line.
The second and older version feels to me heavy if exacting. Yet both end with hope for renewal. Enjoy.
The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more;
The fast to all men known, and bound
In forty days of yearly round.
The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.
More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth, and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.
In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.
Thy grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.
Remember Thou, though frail we be,
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honor of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.
Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought;
That we at length, our wanderings o’er,
May please Thee here and evermore.
We pray Thee, holy Trinity,
One God, unchanging Unity,
That we from this our abstinence
May reap the fruits of penitence.
The fast, as taught by sacred lore,
we come to celebrate once more,
as every year in prayer and praise
we keep these holy forty days.
The law and prophets... had foretold
this Lent in many ways of old,
which Christ, who governs all our time,
in blessed observance made sublime.
Then let us keep this holy Lent,
with watchful and devote intent
that, vigilant, we may prepare
our hearts for God's redeeming care.
As by our lapses we offend
O you who love us, truest friend;
Forgive us Jesus our offense
teach us a new obedience.
Let all the world forevermore
you, gracious Trinity, adore;
and may we spend these forty days
in seeking you and singing praise.
Today I discovered this form sung in the Roman monastic breviary. In comparing the two I discovered how differently they work on my soul. The first while faithful and focused gives me a deeper hope at progress and seems to me to celebrate the reality that many travel this road together in a disciplined daily hope. Perhaps this is so because of the use of the word, celebrate, in the second line.
The second and older version feels to me heavy if exacting. Yet both end with hope for renewal. Enjoy.
The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more;
The fast to all men known, and bound
In forty days of yearly round.
The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.
More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth, and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.
In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.
Thy grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.
Remember Thou, though frail we be,
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honor of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.
Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought;
That we at length, our wanderings o’er,
May please Thee here and evermore.
We pray Thee, holy Trinity,
One God, unchanging Unity,
That we from this our abstinence
May reap the fruits of penitence.
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