Beauty Ever Ancient, Ever New

The song "Gandang Sinauna at Sariwa" is a beautiful Filipino song translated from the "Ever Ancient, Ever New - Confessions of Saint Augustine."  His was a beautiful prayer of regret that he had been so enraptured with the world for so long that he forgot the beauty that lies within him.

Ever Ancient, Ever New

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!

You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.
In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created.
You were with me, but I was not with you.
Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all.

You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness.
You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness.
You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you.
I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more.
You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Gandang Sinauna at Sariwa
 (by Bukas Palad)

Kay tagal bago Kita minahal
Gandang sinauna at sariwa
Tapat Kang nanahan sa 'king kalooban
Ngunit hinahanap pa rin kahit saan

Kay tagal bago Kita minahal
Gandang sinauna at sariwa
Ako'y nagpabihag sa likha Mong tanan
Di ko akalaing Ikaw pala'y nilisan

Ako'y tinawagan mula sa katahimikan
Pinukaw Mo ang aking pandinig
Biglang luminaw ang awit ng daigdig

Kay tagal bago Kita minahal
Gandang sinauna at sariwa
Tapat Kang nanahan sa 'king kalooban
Ngunit hinahanap pa rin kahit saan

Ako'y inilawan mula sa 'king kadiliman
Minulat Mo aking mga mata
Biglang luminaw tanglaw ko sa tuwina

Kay tagal bago Kita minahal
Gandang sinauna at sariwa
Ako'y nagpabihag sa likha Mong tanan
Di ko akalaing Ikaw pala'y nilisan

Kay tagal bago Kita minahal
Gandang sinauna at sariwa
Akong nilikha Mo, uuwi rin sa 'Yo
Ako'y papayapa lamang sa pilin Mo

A Prayer for Souls

In observance of All Soul's Day, we turn to Saint Gertrude's prayer, which has been said to have the power to release a thousand souls from purgatory each time it is said.

Saint Gertrude is a Benedictine monastery nun, who showed "tender sympathy towards the souls in purgatory", and continually prays for their redemption.  She often encouraged others to pray for the souls in purgatory, and left this prayer as a legacy:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my own home and within my family. Amen."