As Catholics, we are blessed to be able to draw inspiration from the rich history of our faith. One such example is the beautiful and ancient hymn known as Cædmon’s Hymn.
This hymn, which is believed to have been composed between 658 and 680, is considered to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is also one of the oldest examples of Germanic alliterative verse and a significant landmark in the study of Old English literature.
According to Bede, Cædmon was an illiterate cow-herder who was able to sing a Christian song of praise in Old English verse. He was attending a feast at the monastery of Whitby when he was asked to sing a song but left the hall because he was unable to contribute. He then fell asleep and had a dream in which a man appeared to him and asked him to sing a song. Cædmon was able to sing verses and words that he had not heard before. The abbess of the monastery, Hild, was impressed with his poetic gift and encouraged him to become a monk. Cædmon then learned about the history of the Christian church and created more poems based on biblical stories. He is said to have died peacefully in his sleep after receiving the Eucharist and making sure he was at peace with his fellow men.
Cædmon’s Hymn reads below:
“We now honor heaven’s king,
The mighty measurer and his wise plans,
The work of the glorious father,
Who established the origin of each wonder,
Eternal lord,
He first created heaven for us,
The holy shaper,
Then the middle earth,
For mankind, eternal lord,
The lands for men,
Almighty lord.”
May Cædmon’s Hymn continue to inspire and uplift us as we strive to live out our Catholic faith!
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