Urbs Beata Jerusalem / Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem

Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Urbs Beata Jerusalem Dicta Pacis Visio is an anonymous hymn which dates back to the 7th or 8th century. Originally comprised of 8 stanzas (+ doxology), when sung in the Office it is divided up: the first half is sung at Vespers and Matins, while the second half (Angularis Fundamentum) is sung at Lauds. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem. Both versions are shown below. In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Vespers and Matins in the Common of the Dedication of a Church.


Sung by Giovanni Vianini

URBS JERUSALEM BEATA

1. Urbs Jerusalem beata,
Dicta pacis visio,
Quae construitur in caelis
Vivis ex lapidibus,
Et Angelis coronata,
Ut sponsata comite.

 2. Nova veniens e caelo,
Nuptiali thalamo
Praeparata, ut sponsata
Copuletur Domino:
Plateae et muri ejus
Ex auro purissimo.

3. Portae nitent margaritis
Adytis patentibus:
Et virtute meritorium
Illuc introducitur
Omnis qui ob Christi nomen
Hic in mundo premitur.

4. Tunsionibus, pressuris
Expoliti lapides,
Suis coaptantur locis
Per manus artificis,
Disponuntur permansuri
Sacris aedificiis.

5. Gloria et honor Deo
Usquequaque altissimo,
Una Patri Filioque
Atque Sancto Flamini,
Quibus laudes et potestas
Per æterna sæcula. Amen

or

Gloria et honor Deo
Usquequaque altissimo,
Una Patri, Filioque,
Inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus est et potestas
Per aeterna saecula. Amen.



CAELESTIS URBS JERUSALEM (1632 Revision)

1. Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem
Beata pacis visio,
Quae celsa de viventibus
Saxis ad astra tolleris,
Sponsaeque ritu cingeris
Mille Angelorum millibus.

2. O sorte nupta prospera,
Dotata Patris gloria,
Respersa sponsi gratia,
Regina forzosissima,
Christo jugata principi,
Caeli corusca civitas.

3. Hic margaritis emicant
Patentque cunctis ostia:
Virtute namque praevia
Mortalis illuc ducitur,
Amore Christi percitus,
Quisquis tormenta sustulit.

4. Scalpri salubris ictibus,
Et tunsione plurima,
Fabri polita malleo,
Hanc saxa molem construunt,
Aptisque juncta nexibus
Locantur in fastigio.

5. Decus Parenti debitum
Sit in aeternum Altissimo,
Natoque Patris Unico,
Et inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus, potestas, gloria,
Sit per aeterna saecula.

Huius Oratu Deus Alme Nobis

15th c. Fresco of St. Monica - Wikipedia

Huius Oratu Deus Alme Nobis is an abridgement of the anonymous hymn Virginis Proles, Opifexque Matris, which may date back as far as the 8th century. In the Roman Breviary it is sung in the Common of Holy Women.

HUIUS ORATU DEUS ALME NOBIS

1. Huius oratu, Deus alme nobis
Debitas poenas scelerum remitte;
Ut tibi puro resonemus almum
Pectore carmen.

2. Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi compar utriusque virtus
Spiritus semper, Deus unus omni
Temporis aevo. Amen.

Virginis Proles, Opifexque Matris

Mosaic from the Church of St. Agnes, Rome - Courtesy Wikipedia

Virginis Proles, Opifexque Matris is an anonymous hymn which may date back as far as the 8th century. In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Matins in the Common of Virgins.

VIRGIN PROLES, OPIFEXQUE MATRIS

1. Virginis Proles, Opifexque Matris,
Virgo quem gessit, peperitque Virgo;
Virginis partos canimus decora
Morte triumphos.

2. Haec enim palmae duplicis beata
Sorte, dum gestit fragilem domare
Corporis sexum, domuit cruentum
Caede tyrannum.

3. Unde nec mortem, nec amica mortis
Mille poenarum genera expavescens,
Sanguine effuso meruit serenum
Scandere caelum.

4. Huius oratu Deus alme nobis
Debitas poenas scelerum remitte;
Ut tibi puro resonemus almum
Pectore carmen.

5. Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi compar utriusque virtus
Spiritus semper, Deus unus omni
Temporis aevo. Amen.

Jesu, Corona Celsior

Painting by Guido Reni (1575-1642) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Jesu, Corona Celsior is an anonymous Ambrosian hymn of the 6th century. It is sung at Lauds for the Common of a Confessor (Not a Bishop) in the Roman Breviary.


Sung by Giovanni Vianini

JESU CORONA CELSIOR

1. Jesu, corona celsior,
Et veritas sublimior,
Qui confitenti servulo
Reddis perenne praemium.

2. Da supplicanti coetui,
Huius rogatu, noxii
Remissionem criminis,
Rumpendo nexum vinculi.

3. Anni reverso tempore,
Dies refulsit lumine,
Quo Sanctus hic de corpore
Migravit inter sidera.

4. Hic, vana terrae gaudia
Et luculenta praedia
Polluta sorte députants,
Ovans tenet caelestia.

5. Te, Christe, Rex piissime,
Hic confitendo jugiter,
Calcavit artes daemonum
Saevumque averni principem.

6. Virtute clarus et fide,
Confessione sedulus,
Jejuna membra deferens,
Dapes supernas obtinet.

7. Proinde te, piissime,
Precamur omnes supplices,
Nobis ut huius gratia
Poenas remittas debitas.

8. Patri perennis gloria,
Natoque Patris unico,
Sanctoque sit Paraclito,
Per omne semper saeculum. Amen

Iesu Redemptor Omnium, Perpes Corona Praesulum

Stained Glass in Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral - Wikipedia

Iesu Redemptor Omnium, Perpes Corona Praesulum is an anonymous hymn which is sung at Lauds in the Common of a Confessor Bishop of the Roman Breviary. The earliest known manuscripts of the hymn date back to the 9th century.

IESU REDEMPTOR OMNIUM (from the Roman Breviary)

1. Iesu, Redemptor omnium,
Perpes corona Praesulum,
In hac die clementus
Indulgeas precantibus,

2. Tui sacri qua nominis
Confessor almus claruit:
Huius celebrat annua
Devota plebs solemnia.

3. Qui rite mundi gaudia
Huius caduca respuens,
Aeternitatis praemio
Potitur inyer Angelos.

4. Huius benignus annue
Nobis sequi vestigia:
Huius precatu, servulis
Dimitte noxam criminis.

5. Sit, Christe, Rex piissime,
Tibi, Patrique gloria,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen

Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia

Painting by Konstantin Flavitsky - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia is an anonymous hymn of unknown origin. The earliest manuscript copies date back as far as the 10th century. Some have suggested that the Benedictine monk and and Archbishop of Mainz: Rabanus Maurus (780-856) may be the author. Two versions are shown below. It is sung at 2nd Vespers in the Common of Several Martyrs in the Roman Breviary.
 

Sung by Giovanni Vianini

SANCTORUM MERITIS INCLITA GAUDIA

1. Sanctorum meritis inclita gaudia
Pangamus socii gestaque fortia
Nam gliscit animus promere cantibus
Victorum genus optimum.

2.  Hi sunt quo retines mundis inhorruit
Ipsum nam sterile flore per aridum
Sprevere penitus teque secuti sunt,
Rex, Christe, bone caelitum.

* 3. Hi pro te furias saevaque sustinent;
non murmur resonat, non querimonia,
sed corde tacito mens bene conscia
conservat patientiam.

4. Quae vox, quae poterit lingua retexere
Quae tu martyribus munera praeparas?
Rubri nam fluido sanguine laureis
Ditantur bene fulgidis.

5. Te, summa Deitas unaque, poscimus,
ut culpas abluas, noxia subtrahes,
Des pacem famulis nos quoque gloriam
per cuncta tibi sæcula. Amen

*Alternative Verse:
3. Hi pro te furias atque ferocia
calcarunt hominum saevaque verbera,
cessit his lacerans fortiter ungula
nec carpsit penetralia.



SANCTORUM MERITIS INCLITA GAUDIA (from the Roman Breviary)

1. Sanctorum meritis inclyta gaudia
Pangamus socii, gestaque fortia:
Gliscens fert animus promere cantibus
Victorum genus optimum.

2. Hi sunt, quos fatue mundus abhorruit;
Hunc fructu vacuum, floribus aridum
Contempsere tui nominis asseclae
Iesu Rex bone coelitum.

3. Hi pro te furias, atque minas truces
Calcarunt hominum, saevaque verbera:
His cessit lacerans fortiter ungula,
Nee carpsit penetralia.

4. Caeduntur gladiis more bidentium:
Non murmur resonat, non querimonia;
Sed corde impavido mens bene conscia
Conservat patientiam.

5. Quae vox, quae poterit lingua retexere,
Quae tu Martyribus munera praeparas?
Rubri nam fluido sanguine fulgidis
Cingunt tempora laureis.

6. Te summa o Deitas, unaque poscimus;
Ut culpas abigas, noxia subtrahas,
Des pacem famulis, ut tibi gloriam
Annorum in seriem canant. Amen

Rex Gloriose Martyrum

Painting by Bernardino Licinio - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Rex Gloriose Martyrum is an anonymous hymn which may date back as far as the 6th century. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Rex Gloriose Martyrum (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Lauds in the Common of Several Martyrs of the Roman Breviary.

REX GLORIOSE MARTYRUM

1. Rex gloriose Martyrum
corona confitentium,
qui respuentes terrea
perducis ad coelestia.

2. Tu vincis in martyribus
parcisque Confessoribus:
Tu vince nostra crimina,
largitor indulgentiae.

3. Aurem benignam protinus
appone nostris vocibus
trophea sacra pangimus
ignosce quod deliquimus.

4. Gloria tibi Domine
qui surrexisti a mortuis
cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


REX GLORIOSE MARTYRUM (1632 Revision)

1. Rex gloriose Martyrum
Corona confitentium,
Qui respuentes terrea
Perducis ad caelestia:

2. Aurem benignam protinus
Intende nostris vocibus:
Trophaea sacra pangimus:
Ignosce quod deliquimus.

3. Tu vincis in Martyres
Parcisque Confessoribus:
Tu vince nostra crimina,
Largitor indulgentiae.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Eiusque soli Filio,
Cum  Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen

Christo Profusum Sanguinem

Painting by Jean-Leon Gerome - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Christo Profusum Sanguinem is attributed the Bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397). It is sung at 1st Vespers in the Common of Several Martyrs of the Roman Breviary.

CHRISTO PROFUSUM SANGUINEM

1. Christo profusum sanguinem
Et Martyrum victorias,
Dignamque cælo lauream
Lætis sequamur vocibus.

2. Terrore victo sæculi
Pœnisque spretis corporis
Mortis sacræ compendio
Lucem beatam possident. 

3. Traduntur igni martyres
Et bestiarum dentibus,
Armata sævit ungulis
Tortoris insani manus.

4. Nudata pendent viscera,
Sanguis sacratus funditur,
Sed permanent immobiles.
Vitæ perennis gratia.

5. Te nunc, redemptor, quæsumus,
Ut martyrum consortio
Iungas precantes servulos
In sempiterna sæcula.

Invicte Martyr Unicum

18th Century Icon - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Invicte Martyr Unicum is an anonymous 10th century hymn. It is sung at Lauds in the Common of One Martyr of the Roman Breviary.

INVICTE MARTYR UNICUM

1. Invicte Martyr, unicum
Patris secutus Filium,
Victis triumphas hostibus,
Victor fruens coelestibus.

2. Tui precatus munere
Nostrum reatum dilue,
Arcens mali contagium,
Vitae repellens taedium.

3. Soluta sunt jam vincula
Tui sacrati corporis:
Nos solve vinclis sseculi,
Dono superni Numinis.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ejusque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc, et per omne saeculum. Amen

Deus Tuorum Militum

Leaf from the Book of Hours, English (c.1300-1400) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Deus Tuorum Militum is an anonymous hymn which may date back as far as the 6th Cen­tu­ry. It is sung at Vespers in the Common of One Martyr of the Roman Breviary. There are a number of different versions, three of which are shown below.


Sung by Giovanni Vianini

DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (same as in above video)

1. Deus, tuorum militum
sors et corona, præmium,
laudes canentes martyris
absolve nexu criminis.

2. Hic nempe mundi gaudia
et blandimenta noxia
caduca rite deputans,
pervenit ad cælestia.

3. Pœnas cucurrit fortiter
et sustulit viriliter;
Fuso triumphans
Aeterna dona possidet.

4. Hic nos precantes supplices
Te poscimus, Piissime,
In hoc triumpho Martyris
Dimitte noxam servulis.

5. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ejusque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen


DEUS TUORUM MILITUM

1. Deus, tuorum militum
sors et corona, præmium,
laudes canentes martyris
absolve nexu criminis. 

2. Hic (Hæc) nempe mundi gaudia
et blandimenta noxia
caduca rite deputans,
pervenit ad cælestia.

3. Pœnas cucurrit fortiter
et sustulit viriliter;
pro te refundens sanguinem,
æterna dona possidet.

4. Ob hoc precatu supplici
te poscimus, piissime;
in hoc triumpho martyris
dimitte noxam servulis.

5. Ut consequamur muneris
ipsius et consortia,
lætemur ac perenniter
iuncti polorum sedibus.

6. Laus et perennis gloria
tibi, Pater, cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito
in sæculorum sæcula. Amen 


DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (from the Roman Breviary, 1962)

1. Deus tuorum militum
Sors, et corona, praemium,
Laudes canentes Martyris
Absolve nexu criminis.

2. Hic nempe mundi gaudia,
Et blanda fraudum pabula
Imbuta felle deputans,
Pervenit ad coelestia. 

3. Poenas cucurrit fortiter,
Et sustulit viriliter,
Fundensque pro te sanguinem,
Aeterna dona possidet.

4. Ob hoc precatu supplici
Te poscimus, piissime;
In hoc triumpho Martyris
Dimitte noxam servulis. 

5. Laus et perennis gloria
 Patri sit, atque Filio,
 Sancto simul Paraclito,
 In sempiterna saecula. Amen
 

Setting by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

Claro Paschali Gaudio / Paschale Mundo Gaudium

c.1315 Fresco , Chora Church,  Istanbul - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Claro Paschali Gaudio is an anonymous Ambrosian hymn dating back to the 4th or 5th century. It is one of 3 hymns which have been derived from longer hymn, Aurora Lucis Rutilat. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), Claro Paschali Gaudio was altered and changed to Paschale Mundo Gaudium. Both versions are shown below. It is sung in the Common of Apostles of the Roman Breviary during Easter Season.


Claro Paschali Gaudio

CLARO PASCHALI GAUDIO

1. Claro paschali gaudio
sol mundo nitet radio,
cum Christum iam Apostoli
visu cernunt corporeo.

2. Ostensa sibi vulnera
in Christi carne fulgida,
resurrexisse Dominum
voce fatentur publica.

3. Rex, Christe, clementissime,
tu corda nostra pisside,
ut tibi laudes debitas
reddamus omni tempore.

4. Esto perenne mentibus
paschale, Iesu, gaudium,
et nos renatos gratiæ tuis
triumphis aggrega.

5. Sit, Christe, tibi gloria,
qui regno mortis o bruto,
pandisti per Apostolos
vitæ lucisque semitas.


PASCHALE MUNDO GAUDIUM (1632 Revision)

1. Paschale mundo gaudium
Sol nuntiat formosior,
Cum luce fulgentem nova
Iesum vident Apostoli.

2. In carne Christi vulnera
Micare tamquam sidera
Mirantur, et quidquid vident
Testes fideles prædicant.

3. Rex Christe clementissime,
Tu corda nostra pisside,
Ut lingua grates debitas
Tuo rependat nomini.

4. Ut sis perenne mentibus
Paschale, Iesu, gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
Vitæ renatos libera.

5. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna sæcula. Amen.

Tristes Erant Apostoli

1864 French Illustration - Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Tristes Erant Apostoli is an anonymous Ambrosian hymn dating back to the 4th or 5th century. It is one of 3 hymns which have been derived from longer hymn, Aurora Lucis Rutilat. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), Tristes Erant Apostoli was altered and changed to Tristes Erant Apostoli (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung in the Common of Apostles of the Roman Breviary during Easter Season.

TRISTES ERANT APOSTOLI

1. Tristes erant apostoli
de neces sui Domini
quem poena mortis crudelis
servi damnavunt impii.

2. Sermone blando Angelus
praedixit mulieribus in
Galilaeam Dominus
videntes est quantocius.

3. Illae dum pergunt concitae
apostolis hoc dicere,
videntes eum vivere,
osculant pedes Domini.

4. Quo agnito discipuli
in Galilaeam propere
pergunt videre faciem
desideratam Domini.

5. Esto perenne mentibus
paschale, Iesu, gaudium
et nos renatos gratine
tuis triumphis aggrega.

6. Gloria tibi, Domine
qui surrexisti a mortuis
cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


TRISTES ERANT APOSTOLI (1632 Revision)

1. Tristes erant Apostoli
De Christi acerbo funere,
Quem morte crudelissima
Servi necarant impii.

2. Sermone verax Angelus
Mulieribus praedixerat:
Mox ore Christus gaudium
Gregi feret fidelium. 

3. Ad anxios Apostolos
Currunt statim dum nuntiae,
Illae micantis obvia
Christi tenent vestigia.

4. Galilaeae ad alta montium
Se conferunt Apostoli,
Jesuque, voti compotes,
Almo beantur lumine. 

5. Ut sis perenne mentibus
 Paschale Jesu gaudium;
 A morte dira criminum
 Vita? renatos libera.

6 Deo Patri sit gloria,
 Et Filio, qui a mortuis
 Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
 In sempiterna saecula.

O Gloriosa Domina / O Gloriosa Virginum

Mosaic in the Apse of the Hagia Sophia - Courtesy of Wikipedia   

O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the hymn: Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera. It was composed by Venantius Fortunatus (c.530-c.600/609), the Bishop of Poitiers. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to O Gloriósa Vírginum. Both versions are shown below. It is sung in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Roman Breviary. It is said that St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was always singing this hymn. His mother sang it to him as a baby, and even on his death bed after receiving Extreme Unction, he intoned the hymn.


O Gloriosa Domina

O GLORIOSA DOMINA

1. O Gloriosa domina
excelsa super sidera,
qui te creavit provide,
lactas sacrato ubere.

2. Quod Eva tristis abstulit,
tu reddis almo germine;
intrent ut astra flebiles,
sternis benigna semitam. 

3. Tu regis alti ianua
et porta lucis fulgida;
vitam datam per Virginem,
gentes redemptae, plaudite.

4. Patri sit Paraclito
tuoque Nato gloria,
qui veste te mirabili
circumdederunt gratiae. Amen.


O Gloriosa Virginum

O GLORIOSA VIRGINUM (1632 Revision)
Listen

1. O gloriósa vírginum,
sublímis inter sídera,
Qui te creávit párvulum
lacténte nutris úbere.

2. Quod Heva tristis ábstulit,
tu reddis almo gérmine,
Intrent ut astra flébiles,
caeli reclúdis cárdines. 

3. Tu Regis Alti jánua
et aula lucis fúlgida,
Vitam datam per Vírginem,
gentes redémptae pláudite.

4. Jesu Tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
in sempitérna saécula. Amen


William Byrd's 'O Gloriosa Domina' performed by Cantum Barbum

Aurora Iam Spargit Polum

The Dawn Now Scatters the Sky

Aurora Iam Spargit Polum is an anonymous hymn which dates back to the 8th century or earlier. Once thought to be by St. Ambrose (c.340-397), modern scholars are divided on it's authorship.  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Aurora Iam Spargit Polum (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Saturday Lauds in the Roman Breviary.

AURORA IAM SPARGIT POLUM
Listen

1. Aurora iam spargit polum,
terris dies illabitur,
lucis resultat spiculum:
discedat omne lubricum.

2. Iam vana noctis decidant,
mentis reatus subruat,
quicquid tenebris horridum
nox attulit culpae, cadat,

3. Ut mane illud ultimum,
quod praestolamur cernui,
in lucem nobis effluat,
dum hoc canore concrepat.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria
eiusque soli Filio
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen


AURORA IAM SPARGIT POLUM (1632 Revision)

1. Aurora iam spargit polum,
terris dies illabitur,
lucis resultat spiculum:
discedat omne lubricum.

2. Phantasma noctis exsulet:
mentis reatus corruat.
quicquid tenebris horridum
nox attulit culpae, cadat,

3. Ut mane, quod nos ultimum
hic deprecamur cernui,
cum luce nobis effluat,
hoc dum canore concrepat.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria
eiusque soli Filio
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen.