Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Canticles, Or Solomons Song (called in ver. 1 Shir hash-Shirim’, , Song of the Songs, a Heb; superlative; Sept. , Vulg. Canticum Canticorum), entitled in the A. V. THE SONG OF SOLOMON. No book of the O.T. has been the subject of more varied criticism, or been more frequently selected for separate translation than this … Continue reading “Canticles, Or Solomons Song”

Canticles is the liturgical name for the Te Deum, Benedicite, Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis. The songs of Moses, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, and Isaiah are specimens of Biblical canticles; hymns inspired at the moment on a special occasion. After the 5th century canticles were added to psalmody. The Benedictus is mentioned by Amalarus in 820, … Continue reading “Canticles”

Canticle of Zachary (Canticle of Zachary) A song of thanksgiving beginning Benedictus Dominus, Deus Israel (Blessed be the Lord God of Israel), uttered by Zachary upon the birth of his son, John the Baptist (Luke, 1). It is one of the three “evangelical canticles,” is included in the Roman Breviary for Lauds daily throughout the … Continue reading “Canticle of Zachary”

Canticle of the Three Children (Canticle of the Three Children) Canticle uttered by Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago when they remained unharmed upon being cast into the fiery furnace by Nabuchodonosor for refusing to adore a golden statue he had set up (Daniel 3). It begins Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino (O all ye works of … Continue reading “Canticle of the Three Children”

Canticle of the Sun Composed by Saint Francis of Assisi (1225 ) in a little reed hut erected for him in the garden of Saint Damian’s where he was on his last visit to Saint Clare during an attack of illness and blindness. In these eleven glorious lines of mystic praise, Saint Francis reveals an … Continue reading “Canticle of the Sun”

Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary Canticle beginning Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My soul doth magnify the Lord). One of the three “evangelical canticles,” it is included in the Roman Breviary for Vespers daily throughout the year and is often sung on solemn occasions. It was recited by the Blessed Virgin on her visit to … Continue reading “Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Canticle of Simeon A prayer said by Simeon on the occasion of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, beginning with “Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine” (Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord). It is one of the three “evangelical canticles.” Included in the Roman Breviary for Compline daily throughout the year, it is … Continue reading “Canticle of Simeon”

Canticle of Canticles The 24th book of the Old Testament as found in the Catholic Bible. It is an allegorical poem which expresses: basically, the predilection of the Lord for the Chosen People; prophetically, the betrothal of Christ with His Church; universally, the love of God for a devoted soul; accommodatively, in the liturgy of … Continue reading “Canticle of Canticles”

canticle (Latin: canticum, song) In the Divine Office, a sacred chant or prayer from Scripture apart from the Psalms, to which it bears a resemblance, however, in structure and poetic form. Scriptural canticles have found a place in the Office from the earliest times. The present Roman Breviary contains 14 canticles from the Old Testament … Continue reading “Canticle”

Cantianus, Saint an early prince and martyr, was born at Rome, and beheaded at Aquileia. He suffered execution with Cantius, his elder brother; Cantianilla, his sister; and Protus, their Christian preceptor, A.D. 304. Although they were of the illustrious family of the Anicians, and relatives of the emperor Carinus, these three young persons had been … Continue reading “Cantianus, Saint”