Hymnus
Attr. St. Ambrose. Trans. J.M. Neale
About This Prayer
Rector potens, verax Deus is the hymn for Sext (the sixth hour, noon), attributed to St. Ambrose. The sixth hour marks the height of day and recalls Christ's crucifixion, which began at the sixth hour. The hymn addresses God as the powerful Ruler who orders time and change, sending the morning ray and lighting perfect day. J.M. Neale's translation captures the prayer to extinguish sinful fire and banish ill desire.
Prayer Text
LATINE
Rector potens, verax Deus,
Qui temperas rerum vices,
Splendore mane illuminas,
Et ignibus meridiem:
Qui temperas rerum vices,
Splendore mane illuminas,
Et ignibus meridiem:
Exstingue flammas litium,
Aufer calorem noxium,
Confer salutem corporum,
Veramque pacem cordium.
Aufer calorem noxium,
Confer salutem corporum,
Veramque pacem cordium.
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 of truth, O Lord of might,
Who orderest time and change aright,
And sendest the early morning ray,
And lightest the glow of perfect day.
Who orderest time and change aright,
And sendest the early morning ray,
And lightest the glow of perfect day.
Extinguish Thou each sinful fire,
And banish every ill desire:
And while Thou keepest the body whole,
Shed forth Thy peace upon the soul.
And banish every ill desire:
And while Thou keepest the body whole,
Shed forth Thy peace upon the soul.
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. Trans. J.M. Neale
HORA
Sext
TEMPVS
ordinary
GENVS
Hymn