Vesperae
The Evening Hour of the Cross
Christ is taken down from the cross at evening, his suffering revealed as the hidden medicine of life and his thorn-crown of glory brought low.
He is taken down from the cross; evening has come. Strength lay hidden in the divine mind. Such a death he underwent—the medicine of life. Alas, the crown of glory lay low—a thorn.
Adoration of the Redeeming Cross
The soul adores Christ and blesses him because through his holy cross he has redeemed the world.
We adore you, Christ, and we bless you. Because through your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
A Plea Before the Judgment Seat
A fervent prayer asks Christ to set his suffering, cross, and death as atonement before God's judgment for the living, the dead, and the church, concluding with a doxological Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, place your suffering, cross, and death between your judgment and my soul, now and in the hour of my death, and deign to grant mercy and grace to the living, rest and pardon to the dead, peace and harmony to your holy church, and to us sinners life and everlasting joy. You, who live and reign, God. Through all ages of ages. Amen.
Read the original Latin
De cruce deponitur hora vespertina fortitudo latuit in mente divina. Talem mortem subiit vite medicina. Heu corona glorie iacuit spina.
Adoramus te xpriste et benedicimus tibi. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Domine ihesu xpriste filii dei vivi pone passionem crucem et mortem tuam inter iudicium tuum et animam meam nunc et in hora mortis mee et largiri digneris vivis misericordiam et gratiam defunctis requiem et veniam ecclesie tue sancte pacem et concordiam et nobis peccatoribus vitam et letitiam sempiternam. Qui vivis et regnas deus. Per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.
Hours of the Cross companion
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