God's Messenger, Theresa / Regis Superni Nuotai

Painting by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - God's Messenger, Theresa is a translation by poet Daniel Joseph Donahoe (1853-1930) of Regis Superni Nuntia by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644).  In the Roman Breviary Regis Superni Nuntia is traditionally sung at Vespers and Matins on October 15th, the Memorial of the Spanish Mystic and reformer of the Carmelite Order, St. Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582). God's Messenger, Theresa can be sung to the hymn tune: Christus Der Ist Mein Leben, as featured in the following video.


Tune: Christus Der Ist Mein Leben (with introduction) - Begins at 00:45

GOD'S MESSENGER, THERESA by D. J. Donahue

1. God's messenger, Theresa,
Thou leav'st Thy father's home
To bring mankind to Jesus,
Or gain sweet Martyrdom.

2. But milder death awaits thee,
And fonder pains are thine,
God's blessed angel wounds thee
With fire of love divine.

 3. Sweet virgin, love's pure victim,
 So fire our souls with love,
 And lead thy trusting people
 Safe to the realms above.

4. Give glory to the Father,
The Spirit and the Son,
One Trinity, one Godhead,
While endless ages run.


Contemporary Version by the Carmelite youth choir: Twoje Niebo

REGIS SUPERNI NUNTIA by Pope Urban VIII

1. Regis superni nuotai
domum paternam deserts,
terris, Teresa, barbaris
Christum datura aut sanguine.

2. Sed te manet suavior
mors, pœna poscit dulcior:
divini amoris cuspide
in vulnus icta concedes.

3. O caritátis víctima,
tu corda nostra concreta,
tibique gentes creditas
inferni ab igne libera.

4. Sit laus Patri cum Filio
Et Spiritu Paraclito,
Tibique sancta Trinitas,
Nunc, et per orne saeculum.