“As air becomes the medium for light when the sun rises,And as wax melts from the heat of fire,So the soul drawn to that light is resplendent,Feels self melt away,Its will and actions no longer its own.So clear is the imprint of GodThat the soul, conquered, is conqueror;Annihilated, it lives in triumph. What happens to the drop of wineThat you pour into the sea?Does it remain itself, unchanged?It is as if it never existed.So it is with the soul: Love drinks it in,It is united with Truth,Its old nature fades away,It is no longer master of itself.”Jacopone da Todi The Lauds
“The soul wills and yet does not will:Its will belongs to Another.It has eyes only for this beauty;It no longer seeks to possess, as was its wont --It lacks the strength to possess such sweetness.The base of this highest of peaksIs founded on nichil [nothing],Shaped nothingness, made one with the Lord.”Jacopone da Todi The Lauds
“In God the spiritual facultiesCome to their desired end,Lose all sense of self and self-consciousness,And are swept into infinity.The soul, made new again,Marveling to find itselfIn that immensity, drowns.How this comes about it does not know.”Jacopone da Todi The Lauds
“Love, infusing with light all who share Your splendor,You teach us the true lightIs not to be found in the light of this world.Light that enlightens, light that teaches,He who is not illumined by YouDoes not reach the fullness of love.Love, You give lightTo the intellect in darknessAnd illumine the Object of love. Love, Your ardor,Which enflames the heart,Unites it with the Incarnate One.”Jacopone da Todi The Lauds
“Light beyond metaphor,Why did You deign to come into this darkness?Your light does not illumine those who think they see YouAnd believe they sound Your depths.Night, I know now, is day,Virtue no more to be found.He who witnesses Your splendorCan never describe it.”Jacopone da Todi The Lauds