MEDIAEVAL HYMNOGRAPHY FOR SAINT BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR

1. FRAGMENTS OF A MASS.

Date uncertain; found at the end of the life of Saint Brendan, Paris MS 2333 A. Colbert (14th Century). English translation by Karen Rae Keck, 1994.

COLLECT: O God, Who hast offered us today this most holy day, the feast of thy confessor and abbot the blessed Brendan, uphold Thy Church by his holy prayers, that he whose merits are secured may glory in Thy mercies.

SAID BY THE PRIEST SILENTLY: On the holy altars, O Lord, where sacrifices are place, let holy Abbot Brendan beseech our Lord that He may come to us in good will.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER: Let the Blessed Abbot Brendan shield us, O Lord, with the understanding of Thy sacrament, interceding for us that we may know the sign of his holy life, and may know the mercies of his intercession.

2. A HYMN TO SAINT BRENDAN.

By Guido of Ivrea (11th Century). Latin text in Analecta Hymnica #48.88. Guido is associated with the Irish-founded monasteries of Northern Italy, and wrote songs to Patrick, Brigid, and other Celtic saints. English translation by Karen Rae Keck, 1994.

Let the brothers and sisters now sing
Of the holy life of Brendan;
In an old melody
Let it be kept in song.

Loving the jewel of chastity,
He was the father of monastics.
He shunned the choir of the world;
Now he sings among the angels.

Let him pray that we may be saved
As we sail upon this sea.
Let him quickly aid the fallen
Oppressed with burdensome sin.

God the Father; Most High King
Breast-fed by a virgin mother;
Holy Spirit: when They will it,
Let Them feed us divine honey.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The St. Pachomius Orthodox Library, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 2001. Have mercy, O Lord, upon Thy servants the monk Guido, the translator Karen, and the scribes John and George. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE END, AND TO GOD BE THE GLORY! +