Little Office of S. Gertrude
O Lord, open Thou my lips.
And my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Hymn
Dear Spouse of Virgins, hear us sing
With joy a virgin's praise,
Whom Thou didst in Thy love prepare
To join angelic lays.
And hear us, too, O Gertrude, now,
While we thy joys proclaim,
Chanting this office with sweet voice,
In honour of thy name.
Praise be to Father, and to Son,
And to the Paraclete,
By whom this spouse unto her Lord
Was joined in union sweet.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Before all ages thou wert chosen,
O Gertrude, to obtain
The richest treasures which the love
Of Christ thy Spouse can gain.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Thy early dawn of life was filled
With equal love and light,
Which sweetly drew thy heart and soul
To realms of pure delight.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Thou hast no other spouse but Christ,
To Him thy pure soul turns;
And every thought of other love
For love of Him is spurned.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Thy Spouse, within thy heart enthroned,
Keeps regal state, and finds His rest;
While others scorn His gentle rule,
Or drive away the heavenly Guest.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Stronger than death is that strong love
Which burns within thy virgin breast,
Mourning thy Jesus slain for thee,
In whom alone thy heart can rest.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
With the right Hand of love He wounds,
With the right Hand He victory gains;
For love's own victim, who with Him,
In everlasting triumph reigns.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
And now thy earthly race is o'er,
The conqueror's crown and palm is won,
And thou wilt rest for evermore
Upon the Heart of God's dear Son.
For this be praise to God on high,
And unto Christ thy love,
With holy and eternal laud
To the co-equal Dove.
Prayer
O God, who didst delight to dwell
In the most pure heart of the blessed Gertrude,
Purify our hearts by her merits and intercession,
That they may become a habitation worthy
Of Thy Divine Majesty:
Who livest and reignest with Thee,
In the unity of the Holy Ghost,
World without end.
Amen.