St Peter & St Paul

With golden splendour and with roseate hues of morn, 
O gracious Saviour, Light of light, this day adorn,
Which brings to ransomed sinners hopes of that far home
Where saints and angels the praise of martyrdom


Peter Keybearer, Paul the Teacher of mankind,
Lights of the world and judges sent to loose and bind,
Alike triumphant or by cross and sword-stroke found,
In life's high senate stand with victor's laurel crowned.


Good Shepherd, Peter, unto who the charge was given
To close or open ways of pilgrimage to heaven,
In sin's hard bondage held may we have grace to know
The full remission thou wast granted to bestow.


O noble Teacher, Paul, we trust to learn of thee
Both earthly converse and the flight of ecstasy;
Till from the fading truths that now we know in part
We pass to fullness of delight for mind and heart.


Twin olive branches, pouring oil of gladness forth,
Your prayers shall aid us, that for all our little worth,
Believing, hoping, loving, we for whom ye plead,
This body dying, may attain to life indeed.


Now to the glorious Trinity be duly paid
Worship and honour, praise and service unafraid,
Who in unchanging Unity, one Lord sublime,
Hath ever lived as now and to unending time.

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And  the Vatican website reports on the visit to Rome of the Westminster Abbey Choir which this morning has sung  alongside the Sistine Chapel Choir at the Papal Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul: ..."Pope Benedict stressed that such an event may serve to encourage the enriching mutual exchange of gifts between the two liturgical and cultural traditions..." [here]