The text of Penthos
Introit
Give to the fallen your peace, O Lord.
May they never again lie forsaken.
Give peace to all the departed, merciful God.
Let us shun the bleakness of human error,
And pass into the light of your countenance,
May we find solace in your peace.
Dark shadows oppress our earthly life,
but your love and peace kindle hope,
turning darkness into light.
Night sheds its black shroud; morning star
pierces the veil, bringing hope’s bright dawn.
Kyrie
All-powerful Lord, have pity on Rachel crying for her children.
O Rabbunai, show mercy; dry the tears of your grieving disciples.
Anointed one, draw us toward you; let us find healing in your compassion.
Graduale and Tractus
The sinful woman’s eye of faith
saw your divinity hidden in your humanity;
In washing your feet, she is washed.
By means of a woman who could be seen,
your hidden powers were revealed.
Show us your holy light; show us the way to healing.
Much is forgiven her because she sinned greatly;
she approached the physician of souls
that her sullied self
might be cleansed by your purity.
Her penitence and God’s mercy
replaced the stench of sin
with the odour of sanctity:
the sinful woman’s darkness
was rendered bright and limpid.
Show us your holy light; show us the way to healing.
Dies Irae
Light after grief’s endless night;
nights lost in fearful weeping
tears for the sullying of sin,
sin which demanded judgment,
judgment tempered with mercy;
merciful Son’s compassion,
compassion arousing hope,
hope that might pierce the shadows
shading the heart’s full darkness.
Darkness thins into shadow;
shadow-selves reach out for hope,
hope in Jesu’s compassion.
compassionate His mercy,
mercy displacing judgment,
judgment for all Adam’s sins,
sins that caused Jesus to weep
tears in the garden at night,
nights now eternally light.
Offertorium
In bondage to sin
we cry out for deliv’rance;
unbind what was bound.
Trisagion
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
Holy and Mighty;
Holy and immortal;
Holy and divine;
Holy and Omnipotent;
Holy and strong;
Heav’n and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Benedictus
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are all who come in peace;
Blessed is He who was sent in God’s name.
Agnus Dei
Abraham offered Isaac,
(wood for burnt offering);
God sent forth his only Son,
(wood for the crucifix);
the ram caught in the thicket,
the holy Lamb of God;
propitiation for sin,
all the sins of the world;
grant them eternal rest, Lord,
grant them eternal rest.
Lux Aeterna
Light of the world, shine on them;
grant them rest eternally,
the girl who sat at your feet,
the one who anointed you,
whose remorse you accepted;
who thought you were the gardener;
they all chose the better part,
seeing you as Messiah.
Radiance, refulgence, shine,
Light of the World, Redeemer.
Pie Jesu
Merciful, merciful Jesu, merciful, merciful Jesu Christ.
Merciful, merciful Son, merciful, merciful Son of God.
Grant them rest eternal, grant them rest, eternal Lord.
Light unending, shine, Light unending, shine on them.
Light unending, shine, shine, O shine on them evermore.
Libera Me
O Lord, you created me.
The heavens shivered;
dry land erupted from watery chaos.
You placed me on this earth,
entrusted me with your world.
Now, Lord, I quiver fearfully
as I face your judgment
of my errant ways.
The veil of the temple shook and split
when the new Adam gave up his life
to save us from everlasting death.
Yet still we sinned, shunning
the light of your countenance.
Now, Lord, judge me with tenderness,
treat me mercifully on the final day.
Deliver me from darkness.
In Paradisum
Adam lamented, leaving Eden.
Paradise found, his tears are dried.
Shout Alleluia! Shout Alleluia!
In paradise shall all find rest.
Pauper and sinful woman are welcome,
Here they find an end to sorrow.
Sin’s naked frame is clothed in glory;
shining with God’s eternal light.
Comfort is shared with all who suffer.
sinners, restored, are cleansed and healed.
Carry us home on wings of archangels.
Penitents find release from sin.
Shout Alleluia! Shout Alleluia!
We who were captives find our freedom.
Jesus, the second Adam, save us:
lead us to our eternal rest.