Audi benigne Conditor
Hymn at Vespers - Lent
About This Prayer
Audi benigne Conditor is a 6th-century Lenten hymn attributed to St. Gregory the Great, sung at Vespers throughout Lent. Its opening petition addresses God as the 'loving Maker' who hears prayers 'with tears' during the sacred forty-day fast. The hymn establishes the three pillars of Lenten observance: fasting from food, fasting from sin, and purification of the soul in preparation for Easter.
Prayer Text
LATINE
Audi, benigne Conditor,
Nostras preces cum fletibus,
In hoc sacro jejunio
Fusas quadragenario.
Nostras preces cum fletibus,
In hoc sacro jejunio
Fusas quadragenario.
Scrutator alme cordium,
Infirma tu scis virium:
Ad te reversis exhibe
Remissionis gratiam.
Infirma tu scis virium:
Ad te reversis exhibe
Remissionis gratiam.
Multum quidem peccavimus,
Sed parce confitentibus:
Ad nominis laudem tui
Confer medelam languidis.
Sed parce confitentibus:
Ad nominis laudem tui
Confer medelam languidis.
Concede nostrum conteri
Corpus per abstinentiam;
Culpae ut relinquant pabulum
Jejuna corda criminum.
Corpus per abstinentiam;
Culpae ut relinquant pabulum
Jejuna corda criminum.
Praesta, beata Trinitas,
Concede, simplex Unitas;
Ut fructuosa sint tuis
Jejuniorum munera. Amen.
Concede, simplex Unitas;
Ut fructuosa sint tuis
Jejuniorum munera. Amen.
ENGLISH
Thou loving Maker of mankind,
Before thy throne we pray and weep;
Oh, strengthen us with grace divine,
Duly this sacred Lent to keep.
Before thy throne we pray and weep;
Oh, strengthen us with grace divine,
Duly this sacred Lent to keep.
Searcher of hearts! Thou dost discern
Our ills, and all our weakness know:
Again to Thee with tears we turn;
Again to us thy mercy show.
Our ills, and all our weakness know:
Again to Thee with tears we turn;
Again to us thy mercy show.
Much have we sinn'd; but we confess
Our guilt, and all our faults deplore:
Oh, for the praise of thy great Name,
Our fainting souls to health restore!
Our guilt, and all our faults deplore:
Oh, for the praise of thy great Name,
Our fainting souls to health restore!
And grant us, while by fasts we strive
This mortal body to control,
To fast from all the food of sin,
And so to purify the soul.
This mortal body to control,
To fast from all the food of sin,
And so to purify the soul.
Hear us, O Trinity thrice blest!
Sole Unity! to Thee we cry:
Vouchsafe us from these fasts below
To reap immortal fruit on high. Amen.
Sole Unity! to Thee we cry:
Vouchsafe us from these fasts below
To reap immortal fruit on high. Amen.
Liturgical Notes
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Hymn at Vespers - Lent
HORA
Vespers
TEMPVS
lent
GENVS
Hymn