LUMEN HILARE
Venite, Audite, Gaudete!
Jesu Infans Dulcissime
Music by Mark Ruttle
The composer here has set only several verses of a long, responsorial prayer to the infant Jesus that meditates upon the events of His infancy. It is number 126 in the Raccolata di orazioni . . . , 1877, a book containing prayers and pious exercises to which the popes have attached indulgences.
Jesu Infans dulcissime,
e sinu Patris propter nostram salutem descendens,
de Spiritu Sancto conceptus,
Virginis uterum non horrens,
et Verbum caro factum,
formam servi accipiens,
miserere nostri.
Jesu Infans dulcissime,
in Bethlehem ex Virgine Maria natus,
pannis involutus, in praesepio reclinatus,
ab Angelis annuntiatus et pastoribus visitatus,
Jesu Infans dulcissime,
stella duce tribus Magis demonstratus,
in sinu Matris adoratus,
et mysticis muneribus, auro, thure, et myrrha donatus,
Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui natus es de Virgine
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula. Amen.
Jesu, sweetest Child,
who didst come down from the bosom of the Father for our salvation,
who wast conceived by the Holy Spirit,
who didst not abhor the Virgin's womb,
and who, being the Word made flesh,
didst take upon Thee the form of a servant,
have mercy on us.
Jesu, sweetest Child,
born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary,
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lain in a manger,
announced by Angels and visited by shepherds.
Jesu, sweetest Child,
manifested by the leading of a star to the Three Wise Men,
worshiped in the arms of Thy Mother,
presented with the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh,
All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To the Father and to Paraclete. Amen.