Lucis Creator optime

O blest Creator of the light!
Who dost the dawn from darkness bring;
And framing Nature’s depth and height,
Didst with the new-born light begin;

Who gently blending eve with morn,
And morn with eve, didst call them day:—
Thick flows the flood of darkness down;
Oh, hear us as we weep and pray

Keep thou our souls from schemes of crime;
Nor guilt remorseful let them know;
Nor, thinking but on things of time,
Into eternal darkness go.

Teach us to knock at Heaven’s high door;
Teach us the prize of life to win;
Teach us all evil to abhor,
And purify ourselves within.

Father of mercies! hear our cry;
Hear us, O sole-begotten Son!
Who, with the Holy Ghost most high,
Reignest while endless ages run.