THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS

A HYMN FOR QUADRAGESIMA SUNDAY

 

By Pope St. Gregory the Great, translated by Maurice F. Bell

 

The glory of these forty days

We celebrate with songs of praise;

For Christ, by Whom all things were made,

Himself has fasted and has prayed.

 

Alone and fasting Moses saw

The loving God Who gave the law;

And to Elijah, fasting, came

The steeds and chariots of flame.

 

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

Delivered from the lions’ might;

And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

The herald of Messiah’s Name.

 

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be

Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;

Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,

And give us joy to see Thy face.

 

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,

To thee be every prayer addressed,

Who art in threefold Name adored,

From age to age, the only Lord.  Amen.