Undusted Texts

"Humani generis / Cessent suspiria"

By The Oratory of Jesus

Introduction

The Oratory of Jesus was founded by Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle (1575-1629). (See "On the Nativity of Jesus" and "God, Jesus, and Mary are Life and the Source of Life.") Famous members include St. John Eudes (1601-1680)--before forming his own congregation--and Jean-Jacques Olier (1608-1657). The French school of spirituality, founded by Bérulle and perpetuated by the Oratory, was a major force in the spiritual formation of St. Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716). The Oratory is a society of priests, not a traditional religious order, and their emphasis is on Jesus and His humility in the Incarnation. Perhaps the greatest text in their tradition is Bérulle's Discourses on the State and on the Grandeur of Jesus. Below is a hymn for the Feast of the Annunciation, taken from a book of hymns for the use of the Oratory.

"Humani generis / Cessent suspiria"

  1. Let human race’s sighs now cease; Now come blessed tidings of our peace In mortal days.
  2. In evil fell we one and all; The Highest comes from heaven’s hall The lapsed to raise.
  3. To Virgin loved who God would birth, The angel preaches myst’ry worth Our salvation.
  4. O blessed among your race, give room! O Virgin chaste, God in your womb Receive as son.
  5. By Spirit’s strength, in Virgin’s womb, One innocent of fallen doom To flesh is paired.
  6. Down here as babe youRl7;ll nurse the One Who, as the Bread of minds above, Is eaten there.
  7. Who, timeless, from the Father born, The Word, has mortal body worn Thus man to save.
  8. This body raised in sacrifice, The slaves to free, is all the price, In bloody wave.
  9. From homeland wayward wandered I, by paths unknown, to true delight, By which I walked.
  10. To my exile the Lord has come To be the way and way’s true home; Secure I walk.
  11. O truth in body’s veil concealed, But to pure body’s eyes revealed, Illumine us.
  12. For mercy the Divine you plead; Though “handmaid of the Lord” decreed, Be world’s Mistress.
Amen.

Source: Cantus varii, ad usum Congregationis Oratorii Domini Jesu et Mariae Immaculatae (Paris: Carolum Poussielgue, 1892), 24-25.


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