Dona Nobis Pacem (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 753)
Dona nobis pacem, pacem.
Dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem.
Dona nobis pacem.
Text and Music: Traditional Latin; Public Domain
Devotion
Peace is gifted to me every summer when I attend a retreat at a university situated in the lovely rolling hills of central Minnesota. The long entry road begins the transformation from the hustle and bustle of the city to a rural oasis. Here that peace abounds—in the quiet of a summer campus, in evening prayer with the monks, while sitting by the lake, or walking among the flower gardens. Years ago, I learned the beautiful “Dona Nobis Pacem”—”grant us peace”—during this retreat time. A simple canon, it is usually sung in the traditional Latin, although it has been translated into many languages.
The peace found at a retreat does no good if not lived and shared after the retreat. At this the beginning of the second week of Easter, let us be mindful of opportunities to share peace and to know that we and our world have been granted the peace that only God can give. Dona Nobis Pacem.
Prayer
God of Peace, be with us as we move through our world, living and sharing the peace that only you can give. Bless our work for peace this week and every week in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Amen.