Catholic Search
Custom Search


Gregorian Chant CDs and Traditional Catholic Books!

Aeterne Rerum Conditor
(Divine Office - Hymn from Sunday Lauds of the Roman Breviary)


Aeterne rerum conditor,
Noctem diemque qui regis,
Et temporum das tempora,
Ut alleves fastidium.

Praeco diei iam sonat,
Noctis profundae pervigil,
Nocturna lux viantibus,
A nocte noctem segregans.

Hoc excitatus Lucifer,
Solvit polum caligine
Hoc omnis errorum chorus,
Vias nocendi deserit.

Hoc nauta vires colligit
Pontique mitescunt freta
Hoc ipse petra Ecclesiae
Canente, culpam diluit.

Surgamus ergo strenue,
Gallus iacentes excitat,
Et somnolentes increpat,
Gallus negantes arguit.

Gallo canente, spes redit,
Aegris salus refunditur,
Mucro latronis conditur,
Lapsis fides revertitur.

Jesu, labantes respice,
Et nos videndo corrige;
Si respicis, lapsus cadunt,
Fletuque culpa solvitur.

Tu lux refulge sensibus,
Mentisque somnum discute:
Te nostra vox primum sonet,
Et vota solvamus tibi.

Deo patri sit gloria
Eiusque soli filio
Cum spiritu paraclito
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen.


Click here for an English translation.

This is chanted every Sunday in the course of the Divine Office (or Roman Breviary) by thousands of priests and seminarians around the world. This hymn (minus the final doxology) was written by St. Ambrose (340-397). The hymn is filled with Scriptural allusions and is one of the finest hymns in the Liturgy.


Return to Gregorian Chant Lyrics page on ChantCd.com