Antiphona 5

Daniel 3:88 (Septuagint/Vulgate) provides this text from the Benedicite canticle sung by the three youths in Nebuchadnezzar's furnace. 'Omnes Sancti Domini' (all ye saints of the Lord) summons the entire communion of saints to praise. The imperative 'benedicite' (bless ye) is plural, calling for communal worship. 'In aeternum' (forever) indicates the ceaseless nature of heavenly praise. At Lauds, joined with the Benedicite canticle, this antiphon places the individual martyr within the great chorus of all saints perpetually blessing God - the morning Office anticipates eternal liturgy.