Sequence for the Solemnity of Holy Father Augustine
Traditionally, the Church in the West, on Solemnities and Feasts, included Sequences between the Readings and Alleluia. These were often sung. We retain some of the Sequences for Easter, & Corpus Christi. In the Order of Saint Augustine, we have a Sequence that we use. In the Universal Church, August 28 is a Feast, in the Order it is a Solemnity. The following is the Sequence.
From deep darkness forth proceeding
Shines today a light exceeding
Beaming out thro' earth and heaven.
Austin early paths forsaking,
Error's vessel honor's making,
To the Church for guide is given.
He the word of God obeying,
Ends in firmest faith his straying,
Seeking now baptismal grace.
What his word and writing stated,
Here ere faith was his, he hated,
Seeking now baptismal grace.
Strength of faith and life supplying,
All who mock, God's law denying,
With the Word's keen edge he slays.
Fortunatus fears to see him,
Manes and Donatus flee him,
At brightness of his rays.
Thus the barren world and fallow,
Filled with doctrine vain and shallow,
By the error-spreading crew
Soon a plenteous harvest showed,
When to earth's last bound he sowed
Seed of faith, the one and true.
Rule monastic he expounded
Like to that of old time founded
By the apostolic flock.
Of his clerks no man confessed
Aught his own that he possessed
Living by a common stock.
Thus for many folk's well-being,
Long he lived in virtue, seeing
Length of years, and, life's day fleeing,
With the Fathers went to rest.
Nought in death of worldly seeming
He bequeathed in life esteeming
Nothing his, but all things deeming
Treasure of his brethren's chest.
Hail, Confessor, gem of learning,
Voice of God, Christ's star bright-burning,
Trump of life, dark error spurning,
Hail, thou Pontiff ever blest.
May thy sons in thee confiding
Gain at last beneath thy guiding
That bright land where saints abiding
Find their glory and their rest.
