Hymnus: Vexilla Regis
Tempus Passionis - Hymnus ad Vesperas (Auth. Venantius Fortunatus)
About This Prayer
Vexilla Regis ('The royal banners forward go') is a 6th-century hymn by Venantius Fortunatus, written for the reception of a relic of the True Cross. Sung at Vespers during Passiontide, it proclaims the Cross as the tree from which 'God reigned over the nations.' The hymn's imagery of royal banners and purple presents the Crucifixion as enthronement, the paradox of kingship through death.
Prayer Text
LATINE
Vexilla Regis prodeunt:
Fulget Crucis mysterium,
Qua vita mortem pertulit,
Et morte vitam protulit.
Fulget Crucis mysterium,
Qua vita mortem pertulit,
Et morte vitam protulit.
Quae, vulnerata lanceae
Mucrone diro, criminum
Ut nos lavaret sordibus,
Manavit unda et sanguine.
Mucrone diro, criminum
Ut nos lavaret sordibus,
Manavit unda et sanguine.
Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
Dicendo nationibus:
Regnavit a ligno Deus.
David fideli carmine,
Dicendo nationibus:
Regnavit a ligno Deus.
Arbor decora et fulgida,
Ornata Regis purpura,
Electa digno stipite
Tam sancta membra tangere.
Ornata Regis purpura,
Electa digno stipite
Tam sancta membra tangere.
Beata, cujus brachiis
Pretium pependit saeculi,
Statera facta corporis,
Tulitque praedam tartari.
Pretium pependit saeculi,
Statera facta corporis,
Tulitque praedam tartari.
O Crux, ave, spes unica,
Hoc Passionis tempore
Piis adauge gratiam,
Reisque dele crimina.
Hoc Passionis tempore
Piis adauge gratiam,
Reisque dele crimina.
Te, fons salutis, Trinitas,
Collaudet omnis spiritus:
Quibus Crucis victoriam
Largiris, adde praemium. Amen.
Collaudet omnis spiritus:
Quibus Crucis victoriam
Largiris, adde praemium. Amen.
ENGLISH
Abroad the regal banners fly,
Now shines the Cross's mystery:
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.
Now shines the Cross's mystery:
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.
Who, wounded with a direful spear,
Did purposely to wash us clear
From stain of sin, pour out a flood
Of precious water mixed with blood.
Did purposely to wash us clear
From stain of sin, pour out a flood
Of precious water mixed with blood.
That which the prophet-king of old
Hath in mysterious verse foretold,
Is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling the nations from a Tree.
Hath in mysterious verse foretold,
Is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling the nations from a Tree.
O lovely and refulgent Tree,
Adorned with purpled majesty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to bear
Those limbs which sanctified were.
Adorned with purpled majesty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to bear
Those limbs which sanctified were.
Blest Tree, whose happy branches bore
The wealth that did the world restore;
The beam that did that Body weigh
Which raised up Hell's expected prey.
The wealth that did the world restore;
The beam that did that Body weigh
Which raised up Hell's expected prey.
Hail Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now, in the mournful Passion time;
Grant to the just increase of grace,
And every sinner's crimes efface.
Now, in the mournful Passion time;
Grant to the just increase of grace,
And every sinner's crimes efface.
Blest Trinity, salvation's spring
May every soul Thy praises sing;
To those Thou grantest conquest by
The Holy Cross, rewards supply. Amen.
May every soul Thy praises sing;
To those Thou grantest conquest by
The Holy Cross, rewards supply. Amen.
Liturgical Notes
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Tempus Passionis - Hymnus ad Vesperas (Auth. Venantius Fortunatus)
HORA
Vespers
TEMPVS
passiontide
GENVS
Hymn