O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured
at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
1
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
In all the spreading lands of earth.
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
2
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
We know thy humble tenement
Was heaven's hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
3
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
There, whatsoever Joseph asks
Christ hastens to fulfill;
While Mary loves the
household tasks
That wait her joyous will.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
4
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties
knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
5
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured
at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
1
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
Yet how their bosoms constant burn
And deeper ardors prove
In love of Christ,
whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
7
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
O then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
8
O HOUSE OF NAZARETH THE BLEST
All praise to thee, O Jesus,
Who parents dost obey;
Praise to the sovereign Father
And Paraclete for aye. Amen.
Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946)
trans. from Leo XIII (1810-1903)
1