Firstpublished:1627 in Responsoria in Solemnitate patris seraphici Francisci, Venice Description: 6th responsory for the Matins of St. Francis.
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Original text and translations
Latin text
Lectio
Ex commentariis sancti Bonaventurae Episcopi
Hunc Dei nuntium, amabilem Christo, imitabilem nobis
et admirabilem mundo servum Dei
fuisse Franciscum indubitabili fide colligimus,
si culmen in eo eximiae sanctitatis
advertimus, qua inter homines vivens,
imitator fuit puritatis angelicae,
quae et positus est
perfectis Christi sectatoribus in exemplum.
Tu autem Domine, miserere nobis.
Chorus
Deo gratias.
Responsorium
Audit in evangelio
quae suis Christus loquitur ad praedicandum missis.
Hoc est, inquit, quid cupio:
Responsum
Laetanter his innititur memoriae commissis.
Versus
Non utens virga, calceo,
nec pera, fune cingitur,
duplicibus dimissis.
Gloria Patri
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.
English translation
from CPDL #18510 score
In Saint Francis, we find a true messenger of God, beloved by Christ, admired by the world and imitated by us all. He occupies this position without the slightest doubt, as we recognize in him the culmination of sancticty amongst men, the image of angelic holiness and the most perfect imitation of Christ himself.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Thanks be to God.
Responsory
He has heard in the Gospel the words with which Christ sent his apostles on their preaching.
"This," He said, "is what I desire: that you devote yourselves to your mission with great joy."
He sent them two by two, without stick, sandals, as beggars, girded with a simple rope. That you devote yourselves…
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. That you devote yourselves…