Te Deum
Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli, tibi Caeli et universae Potestates:
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus: Sanctus: Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus:
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus:
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium:
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu devicto mortis aculeo,
aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus. (Kneel)
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni,
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum Sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.
Salvum fac populum tuum Domine,
et benedic haereditati tuae.
Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
Per singulos dies, benedicamus te.
Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum,
et in saeculum saeculi.
Dignare Domine die isto,
sine peccato nos custodire.
Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.
Fiat misericordia tua Domine super nos,
quemadmodum speravimus in te.
In te Domine speravi:
non confundar in aeternum.
Click here for an English translation.
This is the Catholic Church's most famous hymn of thanksgiving. It is similar in meaning to the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, only it is much more elaborate and solemn. That is, it is more explicit, going into more detail.
It is very powerful and moving, especially when the organist knows which chords and instruments to utilize.
It is attributed to Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana in Dacia (modern-day Romania), who lived in the late 4th century. It is amazing how far back the Catholic faith goes! It is not just a dry statement found in Catholic apologetics manuals -- it is the absolute truth. The Catholic Church has indeed been around for almost 2000 years. That is one of the most awe-inspiring facts to meditate on!
Think about what the Church has managed to do. We are talking about an institution which has survived all the vicissitudes of history, all the crises, persecutions, wars, barbarian invasions, monarchs, dictators, countless "all too human" bishops and popes, etc. And nevertheless, she still survives to the present day -- and in the same form! This is a miracle of God's protection.
To think that citizens of the Roman Empire heard some of the same chant that you can download or buy from this website! Imagine how many famous men and women throughout history would recognize much of the Gregorian Chant sung today at a (traditional) Catholic church!
This is found on the following CD(s):
Chant Compendium 2.
Return to Gregorian Chant Lyrics page
