Audio: Listen to A Hymn for the Visitation chanted.

Now in holy celebration sing we of that Mother blest,
In whose flesh for men’s salvation God incarnate deigned to rest,
When a kindred salutation named in faith the mystic Guest.

 Lo, the advent Word confessing,
Spake for joy the voice yet dumb,
Through his mother’s lips addressing
Her, of motherhood the sum,
Bow’r of beauty, blest and blessing,
Crowned with fruit of life to come.

“Whence,” she cried, at that fair meeting,
“Comes to me this great reward?
For when I first heard the greeting
Of the Mother of my Lord,
In my womb, the joy repeating,
Leapt my babe in sweet accord.”

Lo, at that glad commendation joy found voice, in Mary’s breast
While in holy exultation she her Maker’s power confessed,
At whose word each generation now henceforward names her blest.

Triune Godhead, health supplying, Ruler of eternity,
On the Fount of Grace relying, we uplift our hearts to Thee,
Praying that in realms undying we at one with Life may be.

Laud and honor to the Father, laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit, ever Three and ever One,
Consubstantial, coeternal, while unending ages run. Amen.

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Festum Matris gloriosae, 15th century, trans. by L. Housman
*An excerpt from The Brotherhood Prayer Book
*The fresco above is from the Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, Germany, the same location of our fresco notecard artwork and several of our Christmas cards.

Audio: Listen to Hymn for Ascension chanted.

A hymn of glory let us sing;
New songs throughout the world shall ring:
Christ, by a road before untrod,
Ascendeth to the throne of God.

The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand,
And with His followers they see
Jesus’ resplendent majesty.

To whom the angels, drawing nigh,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?
This is the Savior,” thus they say,
“This is His noble triumph day.”

“Again shall ye behold Him so
As ye today have seen him go,
In glorious pomp ascending high,
Up to the portals of the sky.”

Oh, grant us thitherward to tend
And with unwearied hearts ascend
Unto Thy kingdom’s throne, where Thou,
As is our faith, art seated now.

Be Thou our Joy and strong Defense,
Who art our future Recompense:
So shall the light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to Thee let earth accord,
Who art, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit One. Amen.

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Hymnum canamus gloriae.  The Venerable Bede, d. 735, trans. by B. Webb, alt.
An excerpt from The Brotherhood Prayer Book