What Fairer Light / Aurea Luce / Decora Lux / Beate Pastor Petre

Rejoice, Oh Rome, This Day

What Fairer Light is a Msgr. Ronald A. Knox (1888–1957) translation of the 5th century Latin hymn Aurea Luce attributed to H. Elphis (d.493), first wife of the Roman philosopher-poet Boethius (c.475–525?). He would eventually be martyred for his defence of the faith against the Arian ruler: Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths (c.454-526). Msgr. Knox, a convert from Anglicanism, was a noted scholar, author, and translator. Under direction of his religious superiors, he re-translated the Latin Vulgate Bible into English from Hebrew and Greek sources. What Fairer Light is set to the tune, Decora Lux by the English Catholic composer, Samuel Webbe (1740–1816). In 1632, in accord with changes called for by the Council of Trent, Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644) revised  the original text of Aurea Luce and divided it into two new hymns for Lauds and Vespers: Decora Lux and Beate Pastor Petre. All versions are shown below. In the Liturgy of the Hours, What Fairer Light is used on June 29th, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.


Gregorian Chant

AUREA LUCE (5th Century)

1. Aurea luce et decore roseo,
Lux lucis, omne perfudisti saeculum:
decorans caelos inclito martyrio.
Hac sacra die, quae dat reis veniam.

2. Janitor caeli, doctor orbis pariter,
Judices saecli, vera mundi lumina:
Per crucem alter, alter ense triumphans,
Vitae senatum laureati possident.

3. O felix Roma, quae tantorum principum
 es purpurata pretioso sanguine,
 non laude tua, sed ipsorum meritis
 excellis omnem mundi pulchritudinem.

4. Jam, bone Pastor Petre, clemens accipe
Vota precantum, et peccati vincula
Resolve, tibi potestate tradita,
Qua cunctis cœlum verbo claudis, aperis.

5. Doctor egregie, Paule, mores instrue,
Et mente polum nos transferre satage:
Donec perfectum largiatur plenus,
Evacuato quod ex parte gerimus.

6. Olivae binae pietatis unicae,
fide devotos, spe robustos maxime,
fonte repletos caritatis geminae
post mortem carnis impetrate vivere.

7. Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria,
honor, potestas atque iubilatio,
in unitate, cui manet imperium
ex tunc et modo per aeterna saecula


DECORO LUX (1632 revision by Pope Urban VIII)

1. Decora lux æternitatis, auream
Diem beatis irrigavit ignibus,
Apostolorum quæ coronat Principes,
Reisque in astra liberam pandit viam.

2. Mundi Magister, atque cœli Janitor,
Romæ parentes, arbitrique Gentium,
Per ensis ille, hic per crucis victor necem
Vitæ senatum laureati possident.

3. O Roma felix, quæ duorum Principum
Es consecrata glorioso ceteras
Horum cruore purpurata ceteras
Excellis orbis una pulchritudines.

4. Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria,
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio,
In unitate gubernat omnia,
Per universa sæculorum sæcula.


BEATE PASTOR PETRE (1632 revision by Pope Urban VIII)

1. Beate Pastor Petre, clemens accipe
Voces precantum, criminumque vincula
Verbo resolve, cui potestas tradita,
Aperire terris cœlum, apertum claudere.

2. Egregie Doctor Paule, mores instrue,
Et nostra tecum pectora in cœlum trahe;
Velata dum meridiem cernat fides,
Et solis instar sola regnet caritas.

3. Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria,
Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio,
In unitate, quæ gubernat omnia,
Per universa æternitatis sæcula.