An Office Hymn for the Assumption, Aurora velut fulgida

Just like the morning’s dawning bright
She rises to the heav’nly height,
Maria, splendid as the sun,
Just like the moon, most lovely one.

Today, the queen of all the earth—
Who to that Son has given birth
Who is, before the daystar shone—
Ascends unto her glorious throne.

Assumed above the angels, higher
Than every heav’nly angel choir
This single woman has outrun
The merits all the saints have won.

The One Whom in her lap she fed
And laid within a manger bed.
She sees as Lord of everything,
Now in His Father’s glory, King.

Virgin of virgins, intercede,
And with your Son with fervor plead.
He took up what is ours through you.
May what is His come through you, too.

Praise to the Father and the Son,
And Paraclete, forever one,
Who in the saints’ and angels’ sight
Have clothed you in their glorious light.

St. Peter Damian. Trans. c. Kathleen Pluth. This text may be used freely August 14-15, 2020. All other rights reserved.