Sedrac, Misac, and Abdenago

The three men whom Nebuchodonosor condemned to death in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 (cached) have the above names in the Latin Vulgate but are known to most English readers by their names in the King James version: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The song they sing while in the furnace is not in the Hebrew or Protestant redactions but is familiar to Catholics because of its use in the divine office under the title Canticum Trium Puerorum ("Canticle of the three youths"). A puer is a male under the age of 17, so the three are often portrayed as youths, even though the Vulgate consistently refers to them as viri, "men."

The three are a favored subject in early Christian art. The peculiar garb seen in the 4th-century catacombs painting at left resembles that in an ivory diptych of the same century:



The diptych also shows the angel whom Nebuchodonosor saw when he looked into the furnace.

At left, catacombs painting in Rome.

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Benedicite Dominum
Canticle of the Three Young Men
BENEDICITE, omnia opera Domini, Domino; laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. BLESS the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever.
BENEDICITE, caeli, Domino, benedicite, angeli Domini, Domino. BLESS the Lord all ye heavens; bless the Lord all ye angels of the Lord.
BENEDICITE, aquae omnes, quae super caelos sunt, Domino, benedicat omnis virtutis Domino. BLESS the Lord all ye waters that are above the heavens; let all powers bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, sol et luna, Domino, benedicite, stellae caeli, Domino. BLESS the Lord, ye sun and moon; stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, omnis imber et ros, Domino, benedicite, omnes venti, Domino. BLESS the Lord, every shower and dew. All ye winds, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, ignis et aestus, Domino, benedicite, frigus et aestus, Domino. BLESS the Lord, ye fire and heat; cold and chill, bless ye the Lord.
BENEDICITE, rores et pruina, Domino, benedicite, gelu et frigus, Domino. BLESS the Lord, dews and hoar frosts; frost and cold, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, glacies et nives, Domino, benedicite, noctes et dies, Domino. BLESS the Lord, ice and snow; nights and days, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, lux et tenebrae, Domino, benedicite, fulgura et nubes, Domino. BLESS the Lord, light and darkness; lightning and clouds, bless the Lord.
BENEDICAT terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula. LET the earth bless the Lord; let it praise and exalt Him above all forever.
BENEDICITE, montes et colles, Domino, benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino. BLESS the Lord, ye mountains and hills; everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, maria et flumina, Domino, benedicite, fontes, Domino. BLESS the Lord, seas and rivers; fountains, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, cete, et omnia, quae moventur in aquis, Domino, benedicite, omnes volucres caeli, Domino. BLESS the Lord, ye whales and all that move in the waters; all you fowls of the air, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, omnes bestiae et pecora, Domino, benedicite, filii hominum, Domino. BLESS the Lord, all ye beasts and cattle; sons of men, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, Israel, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. BLESS the Lord, Israel,; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
BENEDICITE, sacerdotes Domini, Domino, benedicite, servi Domini, Domino. BLESS the Lord, priests of the Lord, servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, spiritus et animae iustorum, Domino, benedicite, sancti et humiles corde, Domino. BLESS the Lord, spirits and souls of the just; holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
BENEDICITE, Anania, Azaria, Misael, Domino, laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. BLESS the Lord, Ananias, Azaria, and Misael; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
BENEDICAMUS Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu; laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula. LET us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit; let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
BENEDICTUS es in firmamento caeli et laudabilis et gloriosus in saecula.
Amen.
BLESSED art Thou, Lord, in the firmament of heaven; and worthy of praise, and glorious above all for ever.
Amen.

Source: Thesaurus Precum Latinarum ©copyrighted by Michael Martin