Hymnus
Attr. St. Ambrose
About This Prayer
Rerum Deus tenax vigor is the hymn for None (the ninth hour, 3:00 PM), attributed to St. Ambrose. The ninth hour commemorates Christ's death on the Cross (Matthew 27:46). The hymn addresses God as the unchanging, infinite mover of all things who marks the various hours' course. It prays for evening light whose brightness never sets, asking that death's fraud gain nothing through sin.
Prayer Text
LATINE
Rerum, Deus, tenax vigor,
Immotus in te permanens,
Lucis diurnae tempora
Successibus determinans:
Immotus in te permanens,
Lucis diurnae tempora
Successibus determinans:
Largire lumen vespere,
Quo vita nusquam decidat,
Sed praemium mortis sacrae
Perennis instet gloria.
Quo vita nusquam decidat,
Sed praemium mortis sacrae
Perennis instet gloria.
Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.
ENGLISH
O God, unchanging, Infinite,
Of all the mover, yet unmoved,
Who every day dost mark aright
The various hours' determined course.
Of all the mover, yet unmoved,
Who every day dost mark aright
The various hours' determined course.
Send down Thy evening light, we pray,
Whose brightness ne'er shall set or wane,
But may the holy death we die,
Be followed by eternal life.
Whose brightness ne'er shall set or wane,
But may the holy death we die,
Be followed by eternal life.
Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord most High
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord most High
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
Liturgical Notes
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Attr. St. Ambrose
HORA
None
TEMPVS
ordinary
GENVS
Hymn