J.R.R. Tolkien's Favourite Prayers
The Argonath, also known as the Gates of Argonath or Pillars of Kings. This great monument of Gondor was comprised of two enormous statues carved in the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, standing upon either side of the River Anduin at the northern entrance to Nen Hithoel.
This page is perhaps an indulgence by the author of this website, who is an unashamed fan of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and his amazing literary works.
Tolkien was a Christian, a devout Catholic, and his popular and brilliant books 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' may be epic fantasy but they are also deeply Christian books. Tolkien did have some favourite prayers which are provided on this page.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
On 8 January 1944 Tolkien wrote to his youngest son Christopher Tolkien (1924-2020) and included:
"… If you don’t do so already, make a habit of the ‘praises’. I use them much (in Latin): the Gloria Patri, the Gloria in Excelsis, the Laudate Dominum; the Laudate Pueri Dominum (of which I am specially fond), one of the Sunday psalms; and the Magnificat; also the Litany of Loretto (with the prayer Sub tuum praesidium). If you have these by heart you never need for words of joy. It is also a good and admirable thing to know by heart the Canon of the Mass, for you can say this in your heart if ever hard circumstance keeps you from hearing Mass. So endeth Fæder lar his suna [Anglo Saxon for 'the father's counsel to his son]. With very much love."
From 'The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien', a selection edited by Humphrey Carpenter (Allen & Unwin, 1981), Letter 54.
The Gloria Patri is a shorter doxology (from the Greek word doxa, 'to praise' or to 'glorify') which uses the Trinitarian formula. It was used in the 4th century as a protest against Arianism, and is used today frequently in the liturgy and in the rosary. It can be recited at any time as a prayer of praise (as suggested by Tolkien) and as a short profession of faith.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Gloria Patria, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
The Gloria in Excelsis Deo is a greater doxology, an ancient hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity that has been in use in the Church since the second century. The opening line is from Luke 2.14.
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee, we give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For
Thou alone art the Holy One, Thou alone art the Lord, Thou alone art the Most
High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Quoniam
tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. Tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum
Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
J.R.R. Tolkien's manuscript of the Gloria in Excelsis Deo transcribed with the elvish script Tengwar which he invented.
The Laudate Dominum is Psalm 116 in the Latin translation in the Vulgate version of the Old Testament Book of Psalms. This prayer of praise consists of only two verses, is the shortest psalm, and is the shortest chapter in the Holy Bible.
Laudate Dominum
[2] For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Alleluja. Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, laudate eum, omnes populi.
Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, et veritas Domini manet in aeternum.
The Laudate Pueri Dominum (of which Tolkien said he was specially fond) is Psalm 112 in the Latin translation in the Vulgate. It is also a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, and is one of the psalms included in vespers (evening prayers).
Laudate Pueri Dominum
[2] Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
[3] From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
[4] The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.
[6] And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
[8] That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.
Alleluja. Laudate, pueri, Dominum, laudate nomen Domini.
Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini.
Excelsus super omnes gentes Dominus, et super caelos gloria ejus.
Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat,
et humilia respicit in caelo et in terra?
Suscitans a terra inopem, et de stercore erigens pauperem:
ut collocet eum cum principibus, cum principibus populi sui.
Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo, matrem filiorum laetantem.
The Magnificat, also known as the Canticle of Mary, is taken from Luke's Gospel 1.46-55. It is the Blessed Virgin Mary's hymn of praise to God. The Magnificat is one of the eight most ancient Catholic chants and is perhaps the earliest Marian hymn.
The Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave:
For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever. Amen.
Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum.
Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo.
Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae:
Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius.
Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae.
Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto,
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) and his wife Edith Mary Tolkien (1889-1971). They were married for 55 years.
The Litany of Loreto honours the Blessed Virgin Mary in many of her titles, and seeks her intercession. The Litany owes many of its praises to the Greek Akathist Hymn of the seventh century, which was
first translated into Latin in Venice around the year 800. The other
titles and praises addressed to Mary are found extensively in the
writings of the early Church Fathers of the first six centuries. The Litany in a form similar to the current form was probably composed in or around Paris between the years 1150 and 1200. The name is derived from the Italian shrine in Loreto where it was adopted in 1558.
Pope Sixtus V approved its use in public worship in 1587.
Over time a number of titles for our Lady have been removed and added. The form below is the Litany as it was during Tolkien's lifetime with additions up to 1950. It does not include five titles added after the date of Tolkien's death in 1973.
Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy on us, R. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. R. Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, R. have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, R. have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, R. have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, R. have mercy on us.
Kyrie, eleison R. Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. R. Christe, exaudi nos.
Pater de caelis, Deus, R. miserere nobis.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, R. miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sancte Deus, R. miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, R. miserere nobis.
Holy Mary, R. pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, R. pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, R. pray for us.
Mother of Christ, R. pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, R. pray for us.
Mother most pure, R. pray for us.
Mother most chaste, R. pray for us.
Mother inviolate, R. pray for us.
Mother undefiled, R. pray for us.
Mother most amiable, R. pray for us.
Mother most admirable, R. pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, R. pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, R. pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, R. pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, R. pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, R. pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, R. pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, R. pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, R. pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, R. pray for us.
Mirror of justice, R. pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, R. pray for us.
Cause of our joy, R. pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, R. pray for us.
Vessel of honor, R. pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, R. pray for us.
Sancta Maria, R. ora pro nobis.
Sancta Dei Genetrix, R. ora pro nobis.
Sancta Virgo virginum, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater Christi, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater Divinae gratiae, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater purissima, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater castissima, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater inviolata, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater intemerata, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater amabilis, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater admirabilis, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater boni Consilii, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater Creatoris, R. ora pro nobis.
Mater Salvatoris, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo prudentissima, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo veneranda, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo praedicanda, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo potens, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo clemens, R. ora pro nobis.
Virgo fidelis, R. ora pro nobis.
Speculum iustitiae, R. ora pro nobis.
Sedes sapientiae, R. ora pro nobis.
Causa nostrae laetitiae, R. ora pro nobis.
Vas spirituale, R. ora pro nobis.
Vas honorabile, R. ora pro nobis.
Vas insigne devotionis, R. ora pro nobis.
On 2 December 1953 Tolkien wrote to Father Robert Murray, a close friend of his family who had read part of The Lord of the Rings in galley-proofs and typescript. Fr. Murray provided comments to Tolkien and wrote that he compared the image of Galadriel to that of the Virgin Mary. Tolkien's reply to Fr. Murray included:
"... I think I know exactly what you mean by the order of Grace; and of course by your references to Our Lady, upon which all my own small perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded."
From 'The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien', a selection edited by Humphrey Carpenter (Allen & Unwin, 1981), Letter 142.
Litany of Loreto continued
Mystical rose, R. pray for us.
Tower of David, R. pray for us.
Tower of ivory, R. pray for us.
House of gold, R. pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, R. pray for us.
Gate of heaven, R. pray for us.
Morning star, R. pray for us.
Health of the sick, R. pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, R. pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, R. pray for us.
Help of Christians, R. pray for us.
Queen of Angels, R. pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, R. pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, R. pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, R. pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, R. pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, R. pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, R. pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, R. pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, R. pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, R. pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, R. Pray for us.
Queen of Peace, R. pray for us.
Rosa mystica, R. ora pro nobis.
Turris Davidica, R. ora pro nobis.
Turris eburnea, R. ora pro nobis.
Domus aurea, R. ora pro nobis.
Foederis arca, R. ora pro nobis.
Ianua caeli, R. ora pro nobis.
Stella matutina, R. ora pro nobis.
Salus infirmorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Refugium peccatorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Consolatrix afflictorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Auxilium Christianorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Angelorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Patriarcharum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Prophetarum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Apostolorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Martyrum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Confessorum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Virginum, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Sanctorum omnium, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina sine labe originali concepta, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina in caelum assumpta, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii, R. ora pro nobis.
Regina pacis, R. ora pro nobis.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R. spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R. graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, R. have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, R. parce nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, R. exaudi nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, R. miserere nobis.
Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix, R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus. Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium is a very ancient prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The earliest known version of this prayer is recorded in Greek on papyrus dated to the third century.
Sub Tuum Praesidium
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
The Canon of the Mass
In the 1944 letter to his son Tolkien said that "It is also a good and admirable thing to know by heart the Canon of the Mass, for you can say this in your heart if ever hard circumstance keeps you from hearing Mass." Tolkien was referring to the Traditional form of Mass, the rich and sacred form of the Holy Mass celebrated in Latin, and offered and attended by saints for centuries with continuity to the Apostles, and not the heavily revised and objectively impoverished form that was promulgated after the Second Vatican Council.
Tolkien's granson Simon Tolkien (born 1959) recalls J. R. R. Tolkien's attitude towards the modern form of the Mass in an article published in The Mail on Sunday on 23 February 2003: "I vividly remember going to church with him in Bournemouth. He was a devout Roman Catholic and it was soon after the Church had changed the liturgy from Latin to English. My Grandfather obviously didn't agree with this and made all the responses very loudly in Latin while the rest of the congregation answered in English. I found the whole experience quite excruciating, but My Grandfather was oblivious. He simply had to do what he believed to be right. He inherited his religion from his mother, who was ostracised by her family following her conversion and then died in poverty when My Grandfather was just 12." (The full article is here)
The Canon of the Traditional Mass referred to by Tolkien, in English and Latin, is in PDF on this website and can be downloaded.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
On 20 May 1969, Tolkien was asked by Camilla Unwin (daughter of Rayner Unwin) to answer 'What is the purpose of life?' as part of a school project Camilla was doing. Tolkien's reply included:
"… So it may be said that the chief purpose of life, for any one of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all the means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks. To do as we say in the Gloria in Excelsis: Laudamus te, benedicamus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. We praise you, we call you holy, we worship you, we proclaim your glory, we thank you for the greatness of your splendour.
And in moments of exaltation we may call on all created things to join in our chorus, speaking on their behalf, as is done in Psalm 148, and in The Song of the Three Children in Daniel II. PRAISE THE LORD … all mountains and hills, all orchards and forests, all things that creep and birds on the wing.This is much too long, and also much too short – on such a question. With best wishes."
From 'The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien', a selection edited by Humphrey Carpenter (Allen & Unwin, 1981), Letter 310.
Consistent with Tolkien's love for prayers of praise, Psalm 148 in the Latin translation in the Vulgate is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord in all of His creation, with references to the natural topography and beasts, and all of mankind. To the author of this website this psalm evokes Tolkien's own creation, Middle-earth, with dramatic landscapes, kings and princes, and even dragons.
Psalm 148
Alleluja. Laudate Dominum de caelis; laudate eum in excelsis.
[2] Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Laudate eum, omnes angeli ejus; laudate eum, omnes virtutes ejus.
Laudate eum, sol et luna; laudate eum, omnes stellae et lumen.
[4] Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens
Laudate eum, caeli caelorum; et aquae omnes quae super caelos sunt,
laudent nomen Domini. Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt; ipse mandavit, et creata sunt.
Statuit ea in aeternum, et in saeculum saeculi; praeceptum posuit, et non praeteribit.
Laudate Dominum de terra, dracones et omnes abyssi;
ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritus procellarum, quae faciunt verbum ejus;
montes, et omnes colles; ligna fructifera, et omnes cedri;
bestiae, et universa pecora; serpentes, et volucres pennatae;
[11] Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth:
reges terrae et omnes populi, principes et omnes judices terrae;
juvenes et virgines, senes cum junioribus laudent nomen Domini,
[13] For his name alone is exalted.
quia exaltatum est nomen ejus solius.
Confessio ejus super caelum et terram; et exaltavit cornu populi sui. Hymnus omnibus sanctis ejus; filiis Israel, populo appropinquanti sibi. Alleluja.
Evoking Middle-earth - Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand
The Song of the Three Children
[52] Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: and blessed is the holy name of thy glory: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all, in all ages.
Benedictus es Domine Deus patrum nostrorum: et laudabilis, et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in saecula. et benedictum nomen gloriae tutae sanctum: et laudabile, et superexaltatum in omnibus saeculis.
[53] Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Benedictus es in templo sancto gloriae tuae: et superlaudabilis, et supergloriosus in saecula.
[54] Blessed art though on the throne of thy kingdom, and exceedingly to be praised, and exalted above all for ever.
Benedictus es in throno regni tui: et superlaudabilis, et superexaltatus in saecula.
[55] Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Benedictus es, qui intueris abyssos, et sedes super cherubim: et laudabilis, et superexaltatus in saecula.
[56] Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.
Benedictus es in firmamento caeli: et laudabilis et gloriosus in saecula.
[57] All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[58] O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite Angeli Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[59] ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite caeli Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[60] O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite aquae omnes, quae super caelos sunt, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[61] O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnes virtutes Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[62] O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite sol, et luna Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[63] O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite stellae caeli Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[64] O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnis imber, et ros Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[65] O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnes spiritus Dei Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[66] O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite ignis, et aestus Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[67] O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite frigus, et aestus Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[68] O ye dews and hoar frost, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite rores, et pruina Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[69] O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite gelu, et frigus Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[70] O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite glacies, et nives Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[71] O ye nights and days, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite noctes, et dies Domino laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[72] ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite lux, et tenebrae Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[73] O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite fulgura, et nubes Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[74] O let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet, et superexaltet eum in saecula.
[75] O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite montes, et colles Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[76] O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite universa germinantia in terra Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[77] O ye fountains, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite fontes Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[78] O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite maria, et flumina Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[79] O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite cete, et omnia, quae moventur in aquis, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[80] O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnes volucres caeli Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[81] O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite omnes bestiae, et pecora Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[82] O ye sons of men, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite filii hominum Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[83] O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicat Israel Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula.
[84] O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite sacerdotes Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[85] O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite servi Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[86] O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite spiritus, et animae iustorum Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[87] O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Benedicite sancti, et humiles corde Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.
[88] O Ananias, Azarias, Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. For he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us out of the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the burning flame, and saved us out of the midst of the fire.
Benedicite Anania, Azaria, Misael Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. Quia eruit nos de inferno, et salvos fecit de manu mortis, et liberavit nos de medio ardentis flammae, et de medio ignis eruit nos.
[89] O give thanks to the Lord, because he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.
Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.
[90] O all ye religious, bless the Lord, the God of gods: praise him, and give him thanks, because his mercy endureth for ever and ever.
Benedicite omnes religiosi Domino Deo deorum: laudate et confitemini ei, quia in omnia saecula misericordia eius.
Tolkien's Christmas Poem
In 1936 Tolkien wrote a Christmas poem about the Blessed Virgin Mary titled 'Noel' which was published in the school annual for Our Lady's School, Abingdon. The school was then run by the Sisters of Mercy. This poem was not discovered until some 80 years later. At the time of writing the poem Tolkien was professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. This poem was published in the school annual a year before publication of The Hobbit.
Noel
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind, the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.
The Lady Chapel at the Oxford Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga. A Church attended by Tolkien when he lived in Oxford.
Statue of Our Lady, Oxford Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga
Recognising Tolkien's Heroic Virtue
A number of Catholics consider J. R. R. Tolkien to be a saint, and they believe an official cause for Tolkien’s beatification (a stage on the path to canonization and recognition as a saint) should be commenced by the Church. An Italian Priest Don Daniele Pietro Ercoli SDB is administrator of a Facebook group titled ‘Cause of Canonization of JRR Tolkien’ that promotes and supports the commencement of this process. At present the Church has not opened a cause although the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, wrote to Father Ercoli on 16 July 2015 and encouraged him to “inform people more widely about JRR Tolkien’s Catholic faith and the influence this had on his writing and on his life”. A copy of this letter may be viewed here.
The Archbishop also suggested that it is open to Father Ercoli “to compose a prayer to be distributed for private and personal use”. A prayer has been composed which is promoted by the group Cause of Canonization of JRR Tolkien and is provided below, along with a Latin translation. On 2 September 2017, the anniversary of Tolkien’s death, a Mass was offered at the Oxford Oratory for the intention of Tolkien’s cause for beatification to be opened. A number of Priests around the world have also offered Masses praying for intentions concerning the canonisation of Tolkien.
Prayer for the Canonization of J.R.R. Tolkien
O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and for allowing the poetry of your Creation, the mystery of the Passion of your Son, and the symphony of the Holy Spirit, to Shine through him and his sub-creative imagination. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Wisdom of God Incarnate, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You in the Daily Eucharist—when Heaven weds earth. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore [ . . . ], hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints. Amen.
(Prayer for private devotion)
O Sanctíssima Trínitas, tíbi grátias ágimus quod Sánctam Ecclésiam Ioánne Ronáldo Réuel Tólkien ornavísti, itémque permisísti creatiónis túæ poésin, Passiónis Fílii túi mystérium ac Spíritus Sáncti symphóniam per ípsum eiúsque imaginatiónem subcreatívam lucére. Omníno fídens infiníta túa misericórdia átque matérna Maríæ intercessióne, ípse imáginem vívam Iésu, Sapiéntiæ Déi Incarnátæ, nóbis perhíbuit, demonstravítque sanctitátem ésse cum necessáriam ordináriæ vítæ Christiánæ mensúram tum víam ad ætérnam communiónem técum adipiscéndam in Eucharístia quotidiána —qua cǽlus térræ coniúngitur. Da nóbis, humíliter quǽsumus, per éius intercessiónem et secúndum voluntátem túam, quas depóscimus grátias [ . . . ], sperántes éum mox ápud sánctos víros túos numerátum íri. Ámen.
(prex ad devotiónem privátam)
A J.R.R. Tolkien quote:
I do so dearly believe, that no half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
- Letter to Edith, 1913.
(This quote added to this webpage on 2 September 2023, the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death)
Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, New Zealand, August 2017
Holy Mary, bearer of the Bearer of all, pray for us.
Sancta Maria omnia portantem portans, ora pro nobis.
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
