Seeing as how this is the feast of Holy Father Dominic (at least in the US), I figured it would be nice to share the sequence Dominicans have the option of using during Mass on this day, which is a solemnity for the OP. Alas, I am not a Dominican myself, though perhaps I'll someday join the third order.
In caelesti hierarchia, | Now new canticles ascending, And new strains harmonious blending, 'Mid the hierarchies of heaven: With our earthly choirs according, Join this festival in lauding, To our holy father given. For the welfare of the nations, Called from Egypt's desolations By their God and Maker, he Was the chosen one and glorious, Passing o'er the wave victorious, In the ark of poverty. Ere his birth, the preacher brother Is prefigured to his mother By a hound with torch of fire; So her son, his torch-light bearing, Midst the nations dark appearing, Leads them on with full desire. He, another Moses, teacheth, And Elias-like he preacheth, Sin denouncing with his might Samson-like his foxes sending, And the foe his trumpet rending, Gedeon-like he put to flight. From death's sleep a child he waketh Whom alive his mother taketh: When the holy sign he makes, Cease the floods; and bread from heaven For his fainting sons is given Which into their hands he breaks. Happy he, whose elevation, Is our mother's exa1tation, Is her joy and weal indeed. To his home by saints attended, Hath his soul for aye ascended, Having filled the earth with seed. Like the hidden grain he bideth Like the clouded star he hideth: But the Maker of the spheres, Joseph's dry bones readorning, Will reveal the star of morning, Till earth's darkness disappears. O surpassing fragrance, telling Of the virtues of that dwelling, Which within the tomb doth lie! Thither flock the sick for healing, Blind and lame the grace revealing That his body lives for aye. Wherefore now with jubilation Bless and praise him, every nation, Cry aloud, and crave his care: Sing Dominic the glorious, Sing Dominic victorious, Claim his help and promised prayer. And thou, father, kind and loving, Shepherd, patron, unreproving, Kneeling heaven's high throne before, Lift for us thy voice prevailing, To our King with prayers availing Evermore and evermore. Amen. Alleluia. |
I apologize for not including the chant notation - I searched in vain for it on the web. If anyone can direct readers to an online version, please let us know.
