One of the hymns we always sing on the Feast of Our Lady of the Atonement is the "Covenant Hymn" written by the great "Apostle of Unity," Fr. Paul of Graymoor.O God, who makest covenant,
Whose promise thou wilt never break;
Make strong thy servants militant,
With faith and love no pow’r can shake.
Thy Word prevail, when foes assail,
Lest we should fail, lest we should fail.
“Fear not,” saidst thou to Abraham,
“For I will multiply thy seed;
Thy shield and great reward I AM,
Believe and thou art blessed indeed.”
Thine oath recall, when hosts appall,
Lest we should fall, lest we should fall.
The night on which he was betrayed,
Our Lord took bread, gave thanks and brake,
Likewise the cup when he had prayed,
“My Body ‘tis, and Blood, partake.”
This Food supply, nor us deny,
Lest we should die, lest we should die.
What thou hast pledged to pass must come,
Thou shalt repair the breach of old,
The other sheep with those of Rome,
Shall constitute one only Fold.
This pledge recall, when hosts appall,
Lest we should fall, lest we should fall.
All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Thy Will let men on earth obey,
That they may join the heav’nly Host.
Thy Word prevail, when foes assail,
Lest we should fail, lest we should fail.
Text: Fr. Paul of Graymoor
Tune: "Melita" by J. B. Dykes
3 comments:
Thank you for posting that, Father. I could not attend Mass at the parish this weekend due to an unavoidable commitment for an annual meeting out of state. I am very happy to be able to tell you that next year's annual meeting date has been moved up and will not conflict with our patronal feast.
Not the greatest hymn I've come across. I'm sure you could write something better yourself!
Peter, thank you for your confidence in my hymn-writing skills; however, this text is of great importance to us because it is a link to one of our spiritual fathers in the Faith, Fr. Paul of Graymoor. The relationship between the covenant and the atonement was an important principle for him, and the scriptural reference to "repairing the breach" is a theme that is found often in his writings. We sing this hymn each year as a tribute to his vision, and as an indication that our parish tries to continue his work. It may not be the best poetry, but it's one of those "sacramental" moments when we keep alive the words of a great priest whose journey into the Church involved great sacrifice.
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