Lauds from the Office of the Dead

Office of the Dead – Lauds Hymn –

The day is surely drawing near
When God’s Son, the Anointed,
Shall with great majesty appear
As Judge of all appointed,
All mirth and laughter then shall cease
When flames on flames will still increase,
As Scripture truly teacheth.

A trumpet loud shall then resound
And all the earth be shaken.
Then all who in their graves are found
Shall from their sleep awaken;
But all that live shall in that hour
By the Almighty’s boundless pow’r
Be changed at His commanding.

O Jesus, who my debt didst pay
And for my sin wast smitten,
Within the Book of Life, oh, may
My name be also written!
I will not doubt; I trust in Thee,
From Satan Thou hast made me free
And from all condemnation.

Therefore my Intercessor be
And for thy blood and merit
Declare my name from judgement free
With all who life inherit;
That I may see Thee face to face
With all Thy saints in that blest place
Which Thou for us hast purchased.

~On November 2 the various prayer offices of the day are prayed according to the “Office of the Dead”. These can also be prayed when a funeral is to occur in the church.

~Image: Zanobi Strozzi (1412–1468). Leaf from Adimari Book of Hours. 1448 (Renaissance)