O House of Nazareth the Blest

This is a traditionally-styled hymn about Jesus' family. The words are based on a Latin hymn, O Gente Felix Hospita written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). It is assigned as the hymn for Lauds of the Feast of the Holy Family.

This translation was made by American Roman Catholic priest, teacher and academic, Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946).

With meter 86.86, tunes it is set to include:

SALISBURY (Ravenscroft's Psalmes), from Ravenscroft’s Psalter, 1621.
O GESTE FELIX HOSPITA by Jacob Flaherty

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PowerPoint slides

Examples

Instrumental - pipe organ, tune SALISBURY

Lyrics

O house of Nazareth the blest,

Fair hostess of the Lord,

The Church was nurtured at thy breast

And shared thy scanty hoard.

In all the spreading lands of earth.

The wandering sun may see

No dearer spot, no ampler worth

Than erst was found in thee!

We know thy humble tenement

Was heaven's hermitage:

Celestial heralds came and went

In endless embassage.

There, whatsoever Joseph asks

Christ hastens to fulfill;

While Mary loves the household tasks

That wait her joyous will.

There, Joseph toileth at her side

Her joys and griefs to share,

With thousand ties knit to his bride,

Of love and work and prayer.

Yet how their bosoms constant burn

And deeper ardors prove

In love of Christ, whose eyes return

Tokens of mutual love.

O then, in all the homes of earth,

Be Love the bond of life:

May it enthrone at every hearth

The peace that husheth strife.

All praise to thee, O Jesus,

Who parents dost obey;

Praise to the sovereign Father

And Paraclete for aye. Amen.