I came across two hymns attributed to Pope Leo XIII in an old book titled, Life and Life Work of Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) by Rev. James J.McGovern D.D. (copyright 1903). The hymns in question were translated into English by the Rev. H.T. Henry, Overbrook Seminary, PA. The second hymn translation I was already familiar with, but the first hymn translation is new to me; maybe others have seen it before.
THE HOLY FAMILY
-Vesper Hymn-
(1892)
Jesus, the Light of realms above,
Sole Hope to mortals given,
Whose childhood crowned domestic love
With glories caught from Heaven.
Ave Maria, full of grace,
Above archangels blest
To hold thy Son in sweet embrace
And feed Him from thy breast.
Joseph, of patriarchs alone,
The Virgin's chosen guide,
Whose heart the joy supreme hath known
When Jesus "Father" cried,
Springing from Jesse's noble root
To share a work divine,
Prosper your client's lowly suit
Uttered before your shrine.
Now seeks the sun his western bed,
And fades the splendorous day.
Behold, we bow a reverent head
And heartfelt homage pay.
What grace and power of love made sweet
The House of Nazareth!
Such may our hearts and homes repeat
In birth, and life, and death!
THE HOLY FAMILY
-Hymn at Lauds-
O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.
In all the spreading lands of earth,
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!
We know thy humble tenement
Was Heaven's hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.
There, whatsoever Joseph asks,
Christ hastens to fulfill;
While Mary loves the household tasks
That wait her joyous will.
There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.
Yet how their bosoms constant burn,
And deeper ardor prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love!
Oh then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.
THE HOLY FAMILY
-Vesper Hymn-
(1892)
Jesus, the Light of realms above,
Sole Hope to mortals given,
Whose childhood crowned domestic love
With glories caught from Heaven.
Ave Maria, full of grace,
Above archangels blest
To hold thy Son in sweet embrace
And feed Him from thy breast.
Joseph, of patriarchs alone,
The Virgin's chosen guide,
Whose heart the joy supreme hath known
When Jesus "Father" cried,
Springing from Jesse's noble root
To share a work divine,
Prosper your client's lowly suit
Uttered before your shrine.
Now seeks the sun his western bed,
And fades the splendorous day.
Behold, we bow a reverent head
And heartfelt homage pay.
What grace and power of love made sweet
The House of Nazareth!
Such may our hearts and homes repeat
In birth, and life, and death!
THE HOLY FAMILY
-Hymn at Lauds-
O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.
In all the spreading lands of earth,
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!
We know thy humble tenement
Was Heaven's hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.
There, whatsoever Joseph asks,
Christ hastens to fulfill;
While Mary loves the household tasks
That wait her joyous will.
There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.
Yet how their bosoms constant burn,
And deeper ardor prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love!
Oh then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.