Something for the weekend. Attende Domine, a pentitential hymn taken from a 10th century litany of the Mozarabic litury. Between Good Friday and the joy of the resurrection on Easter, it seems an especially appropriate time to pray to God for forgiveness.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Ad te Rex summe,
omnium Redemptor,
oculos nostros
sublevamus flentes:
exaudi, Christe,
supplicantum preces.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Dextera Patris,
lapis angularis,
via salutis,
ianua caelestis,
ablue nostri
maculas delicti.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Rogamus, Deus,
tuam maiestatem:
auribus sacris
gemitus exaudi:
crimina nostra
placidus indulge.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Tibi fatemur
crimina admissa:
contrito corde
pandimus occulta:
tua, Redemptor,
pietas ignoscat.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Innocens captus,
nec repugnans ductus;
testibus falsis
pro impiis damnatus
quos redemisti,
tu conserva, Christe.
Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee, highest King,
Redeemer of all,
do we lift up our eyes
in weeping:
Hear, O Christ, the prayers
of your servants.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
Right hand of the Father,
corner-stone, Â way of salvation,
gate of heaven,
wash away our  stains of sin.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
We beseech Thee, God,
in Thy great majesty:
Hear our groans
with Thy holy ears:
calmly forgive
our crimes.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee we confess
our sins admitted
with a contrite heart
We reveal the things hidden:
By Thy kindness, O Redeemer,
overlook them.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
The Innocent, seized,
not refusing to be led;
condemned by false witnesses
because of impious men
O Christ, keep safe those
whom Thou hast redeemed.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
Stood on the sidewalk yesterday outside an abortion mill with fellow Catholics, singing hymns. The one that really touched my heart was Pange Lingua. There is something timeless about the Latin hymns that can connect the centuries and give a sense of not only continuity but also connection with the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering.
I cannot imagine a better way to have spent a Good Friday elm.