O Quam Glorifica
1. O how glorious art thou, dazzling with light,
stock of David, royal offspring!
Thou dwellest in a sublime height, O Virgin Mary,
Looking down on all the heavenly regions.
2. Thou, with the honor of being a virgin and mother,
hast prepared for the Lord of Angels thy bosom
as a sacred palace, thy most holy womb,
from whence God took flesh, and was born Christ.
3. Thou, whom the whole world venerates and pays homage,
before whom all now rightfully bend the knee,
To whom we humbly beseech in our misery and darkness,
coming before thee surrounded by the joy of pure light.
4. O Father of all lights, through this sacred Flame
give unto us thy only Begotten Son,
who with Thee reigns brilliantly in the heavens,
ruling and governing for all ages.
Amen.
Click here for the Latin lyrics.
This is one of the beautiful hymns Holy Mother Church has provided for her faithful to give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Priests, seminarians, and monks all over the world sing this hymn at the end of the canonical hour of Vespers, part of the Divine Office. When sung in this manner, it is part of the sacred Liturgy of the Church. It is also sung in a devotional (but not liturgical) manner when it is used for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Usually you have a hymn to Our Lord, then one to Our Lady, before the silent period of adoration. Then you sing the Tantum Ergo, and then follows the Benediction. The lyrics to this hymn are sublime, and beautiful beyond description. All those who love Our Lady must rejoice to hear her praises sung so gloriously!
This is found (sung in Latin) on the following CD(s):
Chant Compendium 1, and
Chant Compendium 2.
Return to Gregorian Chant Lyrics page
