He is one of the great saints of the Catholic Church, and one of the beloved--even far beyond Catholics themselves. Untold numbers of people turn to him, still, when there is loss. And strangely--at least strangely in the usual ways of the world--those things often quickly turn up. And often they turn up in the most unexpected--even seemingly miraculous ways. Let the stories begin.
Friday, March 28, 2014
St. Anthony's Favorite Marian Hymn - O Gloriosa Domina
'O Gloriosa Domina' was St. Anthony's favorite hymn to Our Lady. Tradition has it that it was sung by St. Anthony's mother when he was an infant. Saint Anthony, who had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, used it constantly, and was in the act of reciting it at the moment of his death.
O Gloriosa Domina
O glorious Lady, Queen enthroned
Above the stars on high!
Whose sacred bosom's flow has stilled
Your Maker's nursling cry.
What hapless Eve had taken away
Your bounteous womb repaid;
That tearful man may pierce the skies,
Heaven's window were you made.
Fair door of heaven's high King you are!
His gate of glittering light!
Your life a Virgin's bosom gave,
You ransomed tribes, recite.
To You, O Lord, of Virgin born,
And to the Father, praise.
With the all-bounteous Spirit, be
To never ending days. Amen.
And here is the original Latin text of 'O Gloriosa Domina':
O Gloiosa domina
excelsa super sidera,
qui te creavit provide,
lactas sacrato ubere.
Quod Eva tristis abstulit,
tu reddis almo germine;
intrent ut astra flebiles,
sternis benigna semitam.
Quod Eva tristis abstulit,
tu reddis almo germine;
intrent ut astra flebiles,
sternis benigna semitam.
Patri sit Paraclito
tuoque Nato gloria,
qui veste te mirabili
circumdederunt gratiae. Amen.
