DIES Irae, Dies Illa, Solvet Saeculum In Favilla, Teste David Cum
Sibylla.
These are the words, Latin/English,
to the beautiful Gregorian Chant, Dies Irae/Day
of Wrath, used in the Requiem Mass in the Traditional Roman Rite
of the Holy Catholic Church. When you see the translation, you will understand
why I chose this piece for the musical accompaniment to my website. It is a sobering, long forgotten, and much
needed reminder of man’s finality in this life, with a very clear admonition
that we had better be prepared for our eternity in the next.
One of the most famous melodies of the Gregorian Chant, Dies Irae is based upon the prophecy of Sophonias
1:14-16, a reflection upon the final judgment.
It is important to note that there is the definite promise of hope
later on in the hymn, which recognizes from Proverbs 1:7 that “Fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Judgment, which is eternal, is indeed a fearsome prospect for us
sinners who in Philippians 2:12 are cautioned to “Work out their salvation
in fear and trembling.” But, as
Catholics, we also realize that we have Christ as our Savior, whose infinite
mercy is boundless. Many have sadly
forgotten, however, that Christ’s mercy is also meaningless without His
infinite justice.
Accordingly, we must be prepared for our final day of reckoning in
that we know not the day, nor the hour when we will meet God for an accounting
of our earthly journey to eternity.
It is in that spirit of preparedness that I dedicate this website,
putting on the armor of God, and trying to “fight the good fight” for Him, and
for the Church that He founded upon the Rock that is Peter.
In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (JMJ),
Gary L. Morella
------------------------
Dies Irae/Day of Wrath
DIES irae,
dies illa,
solvet
saeculum in favilla,
teste David
cum Sibylla.
Day of wrath and doom
impending,
David’s word with
Sibyl’s blending,
Heaven and earth in
ashes ending.
Quantus
tremor est futurus,
quando iudex
est venturus,
cuncta stricte
discussurus!
O what fear man’s bosom
rendeth,
When from heaven the
Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all
dependeth.
Tuba mirum
spargens sonum
per sepulcra
regionum,
coget omnes
ante thronum.
Wondrous sound the
trumpet flingeth,
Through earth’s
sepulchers it ringeth,
All before the throne it
bringeth.
Mors stupebit et natura,
cum resurget
creatura,
iudicanti
responsura.
Death is struck, and
nature quaking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer
making.
Liber scriptus proferetur,
in quo totum
continetur,
unde mundus
iudicetur.
Lo, the book exactly
worded,
Wherein all hath been
recorded,
Thence shall judgment be
awarded.
Iudex ergo cum sedebit,
quidquid latet
apparebit:
nil inultum remanebit.
When the Judge His seat
attaineth,
And each hidden deed
arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged
remaineth.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
quem patronum
rogaturus?
cum vix iustus
sit securus.
What shall I, frail man,
be pleading?
Who for me be
interceding
When the just are mercy
needing?
Rex tremendae
maiestatis,
qui salvandos
salvas gratis,
salva me, fons
pietatis.
King of majesty
tremendous,
Who dost free salvation
send us,
Fount of pity, then
befriend us.
Recordare Iesu pie,
quod sum causa
tuae viae:
ne me perdas
illa die.
Think, kind Jesus, my
salvation
Caused Thy wondrous
Incarnation,
Leave me not to
reprobation.
Quarens me, sedisti lassus:
redemisti
crucem passus:
tantus labor
non sit cassus.
Faint and weary Thou
hast sought me,
On the Cross of
suffering bought me,
Shall such grace be
vainly brought me?
Iuste iudex ultionis,
donum fac
remissionis,
ante diem
rationis.
Righteous Judge, for
sin’s pollution
Grant Thy gift of
absolution,
Ere that day of
retribution.
Ingemisco, tamquam reus:
culpa rubet
vultus meus:
supplicanti
parce Deus.
Guilty now I pour my
moaning,
All my shame with
anguish owning,
Spare, O God, Thy
suppliant groaning.
Qui Mariam
absolvisti,
et latronem
exaudisti,
mihi quoque
spem dedisti.
Through the sinful woman
shriven,
Through the dying thief
forgiven,
Thou to me a hope hast
given.
Preces meae
non sunt dignae:
sed tu bonus
fac benigne,
ne perenni
cremer igne.
Worthless are my prayers
and sighing,
Yet, good Lord, in grace
complying,
Rescue me from fires
undying.
Inter oves
locum praesta,
et ab haedis
me sequestra,
statuens in
parte dextera.
With Thy sheep a place
provide me,
From the goats afar
divide me,
To Thy right hand do
Thou guide me.
Confutatis
maledictis,
flammis
acribus addictis.
voca me cum
benedictis.
When the wicked are
confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe
unbounded,
Call me with Thy Saints
surrounded.
Oro supplex
et acclinis,
cor contritum
quasi cinis:
gere curam mei
finis.
Low I kneel with heart’s
submission,
See, like ashes, my
contrition,
Help me in my last
condition.
Lacrimosa dies
illa,
qua resurget
ex favilla.
iudicandus
homo reus:
huic ergo
parce Deus.
Ah! That day of tears
and mourning,
From the dust of earth
returning,
Man for judgment must
prepare him,
Spare, O God, in mercy
spare him.
Pie Iesu Domine,
dona eis
requiem. Amen.
Lord, all-pitying, Jesus
blest,
Grant them Thine eternal
rest. Amen.
Latin and Translation from the 1958 Marian Missal for daily Mass
by Sylvester P. Juergens, S.M. Doctor of Sacred Theology