O Thou, Who Thine Own Father's Breast

For Advent, at Matins
and Matins, within The Octave Of The Feast Of The Conception

Words: Verbum supernum prodiens E Patris. Revised from Verbum supernum prodiens a Patre

Translation:  Father Edward Caswall, Birmingham Oratory (1848), Hymns and Poems, 1873.

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 9.

O thou, who thine own Father's breast 
	Forsaking, Word sublime, 
Didst come to aid a world distressed 
	In thy appointed time ; 

Our hearts enlighten with thy ray, 
	And kindle with thy love ; 
That, dead to earthly things, we may 
	Live but to things above. 

So when before the judgment-seat 
	The sinner hears his doom, 
And when a voice divinely sweet 
	Shall call the righteous home ; 

Safe from the black and fiery flood 
	That sweeps the dread abyss, 
May we behold the face of God 
	In everlasting bliss. 

To God the Father, with the Son 
	And Spirit evermore, 
Be glory while the ages run, 
	As in all time before. 

Note from Shipley:

8. Verbum supernum prodlens e Patris. Revised from Verbum supemum prodiens a Patre. Gregorian Matins Breviary Hymn. O thou, who thine own Father's breast. From Hymns and Poems, 1873. Father Edward Caswall, Birmingham Oratory, 1848.

Editor's Note:

Also found in Rev. Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica: containing all the hymns of the Roman Breviary and Missal (New York: G. Dunigan And Brother, 1851)

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