DIVINUM OFFICIUM Hymn

Hymnus

Common of Apostles - Matins Hymn

'Exsultet orbis gaudiis' is a 6th-century Ambrosian hymn celebrating the Apostles as 'saeculorum iudices' (judges of the ages) and 'vera mundi lumina' (true lights of the world). The latter phrase echoes Matthew 5:14 while the former recalls Matthew 19:28. The third stanza addresses them as possessing the keys ('templa caeli clauditis, serasque verbo solvitis'), applying Matthew 16:19's promise to Peter corporately to the apostolic college. The hymn's petition 'nos a reatu noxios solvi iubete' asks the Apostles to intercede for sinners' absolution through their binding-and-loosing authority.

LATINE
Exsultet orbis gaudiis:
Caelum resultet laudibus:
Apostolorum gloriam
Tellus et astra concinunt.
Vos, saeculorum iudices,
Et vera mundi lumina:
Votis precamur cordium,
Audite voces supplicum.
Qui templa caeli clauditis,
Serasque verbo solvitis,
Nos a reatu noxios
Solvi iubete, quaesumus.
ENGLISH
Let the round world with songs rejoice,
Let heaven return the joyful voice,
All mindful of the Apostles' fame,
Let heaven and earth their praise proclaim.
Ye servants who once bore the light
Of Gospel truth o'er heathen night,
Still may your work that light impart,
To glad our eyes and cheer our heart.
O God, by whom to them was given
The key that shuts and opens heaven,
Our chains unbind, our loss repair,
And grant us grace to enter there.
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Common of Apostles - Matins Hymn
HORA
Matins
GENVS
Hymn