XIX. O tu suavissima virga (De sancta Maria)
The Sweetest Branch
The Virgin Mary is hailed as the sweetest branch from Jesse's stock, through whom the Godhead gazed upon creation as an eagle gazes upon the sun.
Response: O sweetest branch, springing from the stock of Jesse — O how great is the power, that the Godhead gazed upon its most beautiful daughter, as an eagle fixes its eye on the sun.✦✦
The Father's Regard
The Father on high beheld the brightness of the virgin, choosing her as the place where his Word would become incarnate.
When the Father on high regarded the brightness of the virgin, where his Word willed to become incarnate in her.✦
The Mystic Flower
In the mystery of God, the virgin's illuminated mind brought forth a wondrously radiant flower from within her.
Verse: For in the mystic mystery of God, the virgin's mind was illuminated, and a wondrously radiant flower came forth from the virgin herself.✦
The Father's Regard (Reprise)
The Father on high beheld the brightness of the virgin, where his Word willed to become incarnate in her.
When the Father on high regarded the brightness of the virgin, where his Word willed to become incarnate in her.✦
Glory to the Trinity
Glory is given to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning.✦
The Father's Regard (Final Reprise)
The Father on high beheld the brightness of the virgin, where his Word willed to become incarnate in her.
When the Father on high regarded the brightness of the virgin, where his Word willed to become incarnate in her.✦
Read the original Latin
Responsum: O tu suavissima virga frondens de stirpe Iesse o quam magna virtus est, quod divinitas in pulcherrimam filiam aspexit, sicut aquila in solem oculum suum ponit. Cum supernus pater claritatem virginis adtendit, ubi verbum suum in ipsa incarnari voluit. Versus: Nam in mistico misterio dei, illustrata mente virginis, mirabiliter clarus flos ex ipsa virgine exivit. Cum supernus pater claritatem virginis adtendit, ubi verbum suum in ipsa incarnari voluit. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto, sicut erat in principio. Cum supernus pater claritatem virginis adtendit, ubi verbum suum in ipsa incarnari voluit.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Isa.11.1 — A shoot will come forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
- ↩Isa.11.10 — And in that day the Root of Jesse, who stands as a banner for the peoples — the nations will seek him, and his resting place will be glory.
- ↩Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'
- ↩Isa.11.1 — A shoot will come forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
- ↩Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'
- ↩John.1.1 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- ↩Luke.1.28 — And coming to her, he said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.'
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