O sol salutis
Hymn at Lauds - Lent
About This Prayer
O sol salutis ('O saving Sun') is the Lauds hymn for Lent, invoking Christ as the true Sun who illuminates darkened souls. Written in the early medieval period, it emphasizes the 'accepted time' (tempus acceptabile) from 2 Corinthians 6:2 and prays for penitential tears that spring from the same fountain as sin. The hymn anticipates the 'day when all re-blooms' - the Resurrection.
Prayer Text
LATINE
O sol salutis, intimis,
Jesu, refulge mentibus,
Dum, nocte pulsa, gratior
Orbi dies renascitur.
Jesu, refulge mentibus,
Dum, nocte pulsa, gratior
Orbi dies renascitur.
Dans tempus acceptabile,
Da lacrimarum rivulis
Lavare cordis victimam,
Quam laeta adurat caritas.
Da lacrimarum rivulis
Lavare cordis victimam,
Quam laeta adurat caritas.
Quo fonte manavit nefas,
Fluent perennes lacrimae,
Si virga poenitentiae
Cordis rigorem conterat.
Fluent perennes lacrimae,
Si virga poenitentiae
Cordis rigorem conterat.
Dies venit, dies tua,
In qua reflorent omnia:
Laetemur et nos, in viam
Tua reducti dextera.
In qua reflorent omnia:
Laetemur et nos, in viam
Tua reducti dextera.
Te prona mundi machina,
Clemens, adoret, Trinitas,
Et nos novi per gratiam
Novum canamus canticum. Amen.
Clemens, adoret, Trinitas,
Et nos novi per gratiam
Novum canamus canticum. Amen.
ENGLISH
The darkness flees, and joyful earth
Welcomes the newborn day;
Jesu, true Sun of human souls!
Shed in our hearts thy ray.
Welcomes the newborn day;
Jesu, true Sun of human souls!
Shed in our hearts thy ray.
Thou, who dost give the accepted time,
Give tears to purify,
Give flames of love to burn our hearts
With charity on high.
Give tears to purify,
Give flames of love to burn our hearts
With charity on high.
That fountain, whence our sins have flow'd,
Shall soon in tears distill,
If but thy penitential grace
Subdue the stubborn will.
Shall soon in tears distill,
If but thy penitential grace
Subdue the stubborn will.
The day is near when all re-blooms,
Thy own blest day, O Lord;
We too would joy, by thy right hand
To life's true path restored.
Thy own blest day, O Lord;
We too would joy, by thy right hand
To life's true path restored.
All glorious Trinity! to Thee
Let earth's vast fabric bend;
And evermore from souls renew'd
The Saints' new song ascend. Amen.
Let earth's vast fabric bend;
And evermore from souls renew'd
The Saints' new song ascend. Amen.
Liturgical Notes
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Hymn at Lauds - Lent
HORA
Lauds
TEMPVS
lent
GENVS
Hymn