Aspice ut Verbum Patris a supernis. Anon. [Passiontide.] The only notice of this hymn in Daniel is in the Index at the end of vol. v., thus:—"Orat. Domini in monte Oliveti, Frib." In the Appendix to the Roman Breviary containing the offices said in particular districts and places, not universally, it is the hymn at first and second Vespers, and at Matins, on the Feast of the Prayer of our Lord on Mount Olivet, Tuesday after Septuagesima Sunday. This office has of late years been adopted in England (as well by religious orders as by seculars), and is appointed to be said on the Friday after Septuagesima Sunday (though the Benedictine Order observe it on the Tuesday). [Rev. W. A. Shoults, B.D.]
Translations in common use:—
1. See from on high, arrayed in truth and grace, by E. Caswall, first appeared in his Lyra Catholica 1849, and again in his Hymns & Poems, 1873, p. 33, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled, "Prayer of Our Lord on Mount Olivet.” The hymn:—
2. See from on high, the Source of saving Grace, in the Hymnary, 1872, No. 240, is an altered version of Caswall’s translation.
-- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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