
Cnaeus Babbius Philinus, aedile, pontifex,
undertook the construction at his own expense,
and the same, as duovir, approved it.
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?
(or)
we don’t need
(as some people do)
letters of recommendation
to you or
from you, do we?
(or)
you are our letter,
written on our hearts
recognised and read by everyone
showing that you are a letter (written by) Christ ,
delivered by us,
written not with ink
but the Spirit of the Living God,
not on stone tablets
but on tablets of human hearts.
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us;
that with all our heart and mind
and soul and strength we may seek thy face
and be brought by thine infinite mercy
to thy holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alcuin (735-804)