O Jesu Christ, from Thee Began

O Je­su Christ

from Thee be­gan

This heal­ing for the soul for man

By fast­ing sought

by fast­ing found

Through for­ty days of year­ly round;

That he who fell from high de­light

Borne down to sen­su­al appetite

By dint of stern con­trol may rise

To climb the hills of para­dise.

Therefore be­hold Thy Church

O Lord

And grace of pe­ni­tence ac­cord

To all who seek with ge­ne­rous tears

Renewal of their wast­ed years.

Forgive the sin that we have done

Forgive the course that we have run

And show hence­forth in ev­il day

Thyself our suc­cor and our stay.

But now let ev­ery heart pre­pare

By sac­ri­fice of fast and pray­er

To keep with joy mag­ni­fi­cal

The so­lemn East­er fes­tiv­al.

Father and Son and Spir­it blest

To Thee be ev­ery pray­er ad­dressed

Who art in three­fold name ad­ored

From age to age

the on­ly Lord.