Advent UPDATED

With first Vespers tonight, Advent is upon us, the richest season of the Roman liturgical year. Above is the stunning hymn for Vespers.

Please take a moment to notice the tab for the Office of the Dead above. A friend of mine was kind enough to create a bilingual version of the Office and upload it for our use. Post your intentions in the comment box of the page!

UPDATE: Again, please put your prayer intentions in the comment box for the Office of the Dead page, accessible by the tab atop the website. The Office itself has been updated. It was brought to our attention that the responsories at the end of the third nocturne at Mattins differs depending on whether one or three nocturnes have been said. And please, do consider praying the Office, or one of its hours, for your deceased family and friends as well as the gone loved ones of your fellow readers.

Celestial Word, to this our earth

Sent down from God's eternal clime,

To save mankind by mortal birth 

Into a world of change and time;

Enlighten our hearts; vain hopes destroy;

And in thy love's consuming fire 

Fill all the soul with heavenly joy, 

And melt the dross of low desire.

So when the Judge of quick and dead

Shall bid his awful summons come,

To whelm the guilty soul with dread,

And call the blessed to their home.

Saved from the whirling, black abyss,

Forevermore to us be given 

To share the feast of saintly bliss, 

And see the face of God in heaven.

To God the Father and the Son 

Our songs with one accord we raise;

And to the Holy Spirit, One 

With them, be ever equal praise

Amen.