O Nata Lux (SSA)

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The feast of August 6 commemorates the Transfiguration of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:

“Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringest them up into a high mountain

apart: and he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became while

as snow … And behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is

my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And his disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and

were very much afraid.” (Matthew 17:1 – 9)

Various texts employed in the Mass for this day also refer to the Light of Light:

Introit. “Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook and trembled.” (Psalm 76 [77] : 19)

Gradual verse. goodness.” (Wisdom 7:26)

“He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of his

Secret. “By the brightness of his glory in that revelation cleanse us from the stains of our sings.”

How perfectly fitting that the hymn O nata lux (“O born light of light”) should be appointed to be sung at Lauds (the Office of Aurora or

Dawn) on the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Translations and Annotations of Choral Repertoire, Volume I: Sacred Latin Texts

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