This is our Accepted Time

This is a hymn for Lent. It is based on a short passage from 2 Corinthians 6:2: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The words were written in 1955 by American at-the-time Roman Catholic (Sulpician) priest and later historian, academic and war correspondent, Michael Valentine Gannon (1927–2017).

The work of the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice (ie Sulpician fathers) is the formation and pastoral care of priests. It is possible that the hymn was written firstly for priests: This is especially reflected in the first verse which presents penance as a vocation, and in the language used in the final verses. More recently an inclusive version has been created, the author of this is unknown.

Hymn books where it was published include:

The People's Hymnal, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA, 1955 and 1961
Peoples Mass Book. Complete Daily Missal Edition, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA, 1964
People's Mass Book, New Daily Missal Edition, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA., 1966
One in Faith, World Library Publications, Illinois, USA, 2015.

With meter 76.76.D, it is set to the tune WEIMAR(Vulpius), sometimes known as JESU KREUZ, LEIDEN UND PEIN, written by German singer and church-music composer, Melchior Vulpius (c.1560-1615) in 1609.

Image © www.GodSongs.net

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Buy sheet music from GIA Publications - keyboard with guitar chords

Examples

Choir, first unaccompanied then with organ:

chanterMT · This is our accepted time

Singer with organ, live in a church-service:

Singer, unaccompanied:

Singer with electronic organ, words on-screen:

Singer with mandolin(?):

Choir, unaccompanied:

Singer with electronic organ, inclusive words:

Lyrics

Original words

This is our accepted time, this is our salvation;
Prayer and fasting are our hope, penance, our vocation.

God of pardon and of love, mercy past all measure,
You alone can grant us peace, You, our holy treasure.

Lord, look down upon your sons, look upon their yearning;
Man is dust and unto dust he shall be returning,

Lift him up, O Lord of life, flesh has gained him sadness,
Hear his plea, bestow on him everlasting gladness.

Inclusive language version

This is our accepted time, this is our salvation;
Prayer and fasting are our hope. Penance, our vocation.

God of pardon, God of love, mercy past all measure.
You alone can grant us peace, You our holy treasure.

Lord, look down upon us all, look upon our yearning.
We are dust, and unto dust, we shall be returning.

Lift us up, O Lord of life, flesh has gained us sadness.
Hear our plea, bestow on us, everlasting gladness.