PRO TEMPORE

VEXILLA REGIS

The Royal Banners

Vexilla Regis ('The Royal Banners Forward Go') was composed by Venantius Fortunatus in 569 AD for the reception of a relic of the True Cross sent to Queen Radegund at Poitiers. This Passiontide hymn proclaims the Cross as Christ's royal standard and trophy of victory. The line 'regnavit a ligno Deus' (God reigned from the Tree) quotes an ancient reading of Psalm 95. It is sung at Vespers from Passion Sunday through Good Friday.

LATINE
Vexilla Regis prodeunt:
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.
Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
dicendo nationibus:
regnavit a ligno Deus.
Arbor decora et fulgida,
ornata Regis purpura,
electa digno stipite
tam sancta membra tangere.
Beata, cujus brachiis
pretium pependit saeculi:
statera facta corporis,
tulitque praedam tartari.
O Crux, ave, spes unica,
hoc Passionis tempore:
piis adauge gratiam,
reisque dele crimina.
Te, fons salutis, Trinitas,
collaudet omnis spiritus:
quibus Crucis victoriam
largiris, adde praemium. Amen.
ENGLISH
The royal banners forward go,
the Cross shines forth in mystic glow;
where He in flesh, our flesh Who made,
our sentence bore, our ransom paid.
There whilst He hung, His sacred side
by soldier's spear was opened wide,
to cleanse us in the precious flood
of water mingled with His Blood.
Fulfilled is now what David told
in true prophetic song of old,
how God the heathen's King should be;
for God is reigning from the Tree.
O Tree of glory, Tree most fair,
ordained those holy limbs to bear,
how bright in purple robe it stood,
the purple of a Saviour's Blood!
Upon its arms, like balance true,
He weighed the price for sinners due,
the price which none but He could pay,
and spoiled the spoiler of his prey.
O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
to give new virtue to the saint,
and pardon to the penitent.
To Thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
whom by the Cross Thou dost restore,
preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
NOTA
FONS
Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-609); Breviarium Romanum
USUS
Vespers hymn from Passion Sunday through Good Friday
CONTEXT
Written for the arrival of relics sent by Emperor Justin II to Queen Radegund. The line 'regnavit a ligno Deus' quotes an ancient reading of Psalm 95.