Sequence 83. St. Magloire

October 24TH.
SEE a special day returning,
A bright festival's bright morning,
Bishop Magloire's natal day ;
All his sons in God should therefore,
Those he specially doth care for,
Their delight on it display.

'Twas an angel helped his training,
And a vessel thus, containing
Grace celestial, kept all-pure :
Great his glorying may be,
That, as 'twere designedly,
He a name of * glory ' bore.

Seeking to be rich in spirit,
He the highest post did merit
In the Church in Brittany :
But that Church's helm he quitted
At God's will, to be thus fitted
For His service utterly.

Yielding to another man
His great charge, — this end to gain, —
Quietly away he fled :
Though he would have lain concealed,
Still his candle stood revealed,
'Neath whatever bushel hid.

So, lest, hid, this glorious Father
Should no further glory gather,
Leprous was the Consul there :
He, whose word seas, fish, obeying,
Served, and birds that fly, by praying,
Leprosy did from him clear.

He a dead man brings to life.
Whom the waves' devouring strife
Just before had swallowed down :
All the fishes of the sea
Wait upon his just decree,
In obedience to it shown.

He restored his servant's blade.
Gave a starving people bread,
With his staff a vessel led.

Neither failed to help a wain :
Loosed is tongue of maiden dumb.

Raised a slave from fish's womb.
Hostile snow is overcome
By him, and a serpent slain.

He a deacon's fault forgiveth,
And life's bread, death's price, receiveth
From an angel, when he needs :
Foes he puts to sudden flight,
Part through thought, and part by sight ;
By his life a son's misdeeds.

Magloire, our father ! from above
Come to us with thy wonted love :
For strong thy prayers and merits prove
Our debt of evil to remove.

Through thee may Satan be o'erthrown,
And all the crowd of evil done ;
Through thee, this world o'ercome, may we
Be free to serve Christ zealously ! Amen.