DIVINUM OFFICIUM Hymn

Hymnus

Common of Confessors - Matins Hymn

'Iste Confessor Domini' dates to at least the 8th century, possibly earlier. The phrase 'colentes quem pie laudant populi per orbem' (whom peoples throughout the world devoutly praising honor) indicates the saint's universal cultus. 'Hac die laetus meruit beatas scandere sedes' (on this day he merited joyfully to ascend to blessed seats) refers to the dies natalis - the saint's death as birthday into heaven. The hymn's structure - praise, narrative, petition - models proper veneration: honoring the saint, recounting his deeds, and asking his intercession. At Matins, this hymn inaugurates the feast by situating the confessor within the communion of saints.

LATINE
Iste Confessor Domini, colentes
Quem pie laudant populi per orbem,
Hac die laetus meruit beatas
Scandere sedes.
Qui pius, prudens, humilis, pudicus,
Sobriam duxit sine labe vitam,
Donec humanos animavit aurae
Spiritus artus.
Cuius ob praestans meritum frequenter,
Aegra quae passim iacuere membra,
Viribus morbi domitis, saluti
Restituuntur.
ENGLISH
This Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now all the faithful celebrate,
With joyful hearts this day ascended
To heavenly mansions, blessed fate.
Holy and prudent, meek and lowly,
He lived a life without reproach,
Until the breath of life withdrew
From this his mortal frame.
Whose sacred body, healing giving,
Doth cure the sick who touch it there;
The demons fly, the blind see clearly,
His power casts away despair.
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Common of Confessors - Matins Hymn
HORA
Matins
GENVS
Hymn