Æterne Rector siderum

Ruler of the dread immense

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Æterne Rector siderum,
Qui, quidquid est, potentia
Magna creasti, nec regis
Minore providentia:
Adesto supplicantium
Tibi reorum cœtui,
Lucisque sub crepusculum
Lucem novam da mentibus.
Tuusque nobis Angelus
Electus ad custodiam,
Hic adsit; a contagio
Ut criminum nos protegat.
Nobis draconis æmuli
Versutias exterminet;
Ne rete fraudulentiæ
Incauta nectat pectora.
Metum repellat hostium
Nostris procul de finibus:
Pacem procuret civium,
Fugetque pestilentiam.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
Qui, quos redemit Filius,
Et sanctus unxit Spiritus,
Per Angelos custodiat.

Ruler of the dread immense!
Maker of this mighty frame!
Whose eternal providence
Guides it, as from Thee it came:
Low before Thy throne we bend;
Hear our supplicating cries;
And Thy light celestial send
With the freshly dawning skies.
King of kings, and Lord most High!
This of Thy dear love we pray:
May Thy Guardian Angel nigh,
Keep us from all sin this day.
May he crush the deadly wiles
Of the envious serpent’s art,
Ever spreading cunning toils
Round about the thoughtless heart
May he scatter ruthless war
Ere to this our land it come;
Plague and famine drive away,
Fix securely peace at home.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One eternal Trinity!
Guard by Thy Angelic host
Us who put our trust in Thee.

Author: Ascribed to Cardinal Bellarmine (1542-1621). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are seven translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

“Eternal Ruler of the stars, who, with great power didst create whatever exists, and with no less providence dost govern the same; give heed to the assembly of the guilty who supplicate Thee, and, at the break of day, grant new light to our souls.” Crepusculum, twilight—generally the evening twilight. Here it is used for “dawn” as Lauds was said at daybreak.
“And Thy Angel, who was chosen as our guardian, may he be present here to protect us from the contagion of sin.”
“May he bring to naught for us the wiles of the envious dragon, lest he ensnare unwary hearts in the net of deceitfulness.”
“May he drive far from our borders the fear of enemies; may he procure peace among the citizens and banish pestilence.”
“Glory be to the Father, who guardeth by His Angels those whom the Son redeemed and the Holy Spirit anointed,” Unxit, strengthened.