It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Ghost that he would not see death before he had seen the annointed of the Lord; * and when they brought the Child into the temple, he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now lettest Thou thy servant depart, Lord, in peace. V. When His parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms. (The second responsory for the procession of Candlemas.)
R. Responsum accépit Símeon a Spíritu Sancto, non visúrum se mortem, nisi vidéret Christum Dómini: * et cum inducerent Puerum in templum, accépit eum in ulnas suas, et benedíxit Deum, et dixit: Nunc dimíttis servum tuum, Dómine, in pace. V. Cum indúcerent púerum Jesum paréntes ejus, ut fácerent secúndum consuetúdinem legis pro eo, ipse accépit eum in ulnas suas.
The first part of this responsory in Gregorian chant. |
| The Presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple, by Pietro Cavallini, 1295-1300; apsidal mosaic of the basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome. |
The beginning of this same text is the same as the Communion of the Mass; here is a particuarly good polyphonic setting of it by Luca Marenzio (1553-99).
