In the older calendar, today is the feast of Christ the King. Thus, Vespers this evening had special antiphons, tones, etc. The proximity of this feast to the upcoming midterm election was quite striking.

The hymn from Vespers shows this beautifully:

1. Te saeculorum Principem, Te, Christe, Regem Gentium,
Te mentium, Te cordium Unum fatemur arbitrum.

2. Scelesta turba clamitat: Regnare Christum nolumus:
Te nos ovantes omnium Regem supremum dicimus.

3. O Christe, Princeps Pacifer, Mentes rebelles subiice:
Tuoque amore devios, Ovile in unum congrega.

4. Ad hoc cruenta ab arbore, Pendes apertis brachiis:
Diraque fossum cuspide Cor igne flagrans exhibes.

5. Ad hoc in aris abderis Vini dapisque imagine,
Fundens salutem filiis Transverberato pectore.

6. Te nationum Praesides Honore tollant publico,
Colant magistri, iudices, Leges et artes exprimant.

7. Submissa regum fulgeant Tibi dicata insignia:
Mitique sceptro patriam Domosque subde civium.

8. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui sceptra mundi temperas,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Here’s my fairly literal translation:

1. We acknowledge you to be the Prince of the ages, You, Christ, the King of the Nations,
You of minds, You of hearts the one judge.

2. The wicked crowd cries out: We do not want Christ to reign:
Rejoicing we say that you are the supreme King of all.

3. O Christ, Prince Peace-Bearer, Subject our rebel minds:
And gather together into one sheepfold, those who stray from your love.

4. For this from the blood-stained tree, You hang with open arms:
And stabbed with the fearful spear You show a heart burning with fire.

5. For this on altars you are concealed In wine and the image of a feast,
Pouring salvation to children of transfixed heart.

6. May the presidents of nations lift you up in public honor,
May magistrates and judges worship you, May laws and arts express you.

7. May the insignias of kings shine forth dedicated and submissive to you:
Place under your meek scepter our country and the homes of its citizens.

8. Jesus, to you be glory, Who temper the scepters of the world,
With the Father and the kind Spirit, unto the everlasting ages. Amen.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 at 8:47 PM and is filed under liturgical calendar. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.