Summæ Deus clementiæ

God of mercy, let us run

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Summæ Deus clementiæ,
Septem dolores Virginis
Plagasque Jesu Filii
Fac rite nos revolvere.
Nobis salutem conferant
Deiparæ tot lacrimæ,
Quibus lavare sufficis
Totius orbis crimina.
Sit quinque Jesu vulnerum
Amara contemplatio,
Sint et dolores Virginis
Æterna cunctis gaudia.
Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui passus es pro servulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
In sempiterna sæcula.

God of mercy, let us run
Where yon fount of sorrows flows;
Pondering sweetly, one by one,
Jesu’s Wounds and Mary’s woes.
Ah, those tears Our Lady shed,
Enough to drown a world of sin;
Tears that Jesu’s sorrows fed,
Peace and pardon well may win!
His five Wounds, a very home,
For our prayers and praises prove;
And Our Lady’s woes become
Endless joys in heaven above.
Jesus, who for us did die,
All on Thee our love we pour;
And in the Holy Trinity
Worship Thee forevermore.

Author: Ascribed to Callisto Palumbella, 18^th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Faber. There are six translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of the Seven Dolors.

“O God of infinite mercy, grant that we may meditate well on the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin and on the Wounds of Jesus her Son.”
“May the numerous tears of the Mother of God be conducive to our salvation; with which tears Thou, O God, art able to wash away the sins of the whole world.” Sufficis, viz., Deus from the preceding stanza.
“May the bitter contemplation of the Five Wounds of Jesus, and may the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin be a source of eternal joys to all.”
“Jesus, to Thee, who didst suffer for Thy servants, be glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, through everlasting ages.”