This is in my opinion one of the best of the new hymns of the Liturgy of the Hours. It manages not only to cover the historical background of St. Jerome but also his iconography: véhemens ut leo. Jerome's asceticism is not underplayed, as so often happens in modern hymns: vitæ fortis et ásperæ/ Desérti
cúpiens grata siléntia/ut
carnem crúcians.
Ad Laudes matutinas et
Vesperas: novus
Festíva
cánimus laude Hierónymum,
qui
nobis rádiat sidus ut éminens
doctrínæ
méritis ac simul áctibus
vitæ fortis et ásperæ.
Hic
verbum fídei sánctaque dógmata
scrutándo
stúduit pándere lúcide,
aut
hostes, véhemens ut leo, cóncitus
acri voce reféllere.
Insúdans
álacer prata viréntia
Scriptúræ
cóluit cælitus éditæ;
ex
his et lócuples dúlcia prótulit
cunctis pábula grátiæ.
Desérti
cúpiens grata siléntia,
ad
cunas Dómini pérvigil ástitit,
ut
carnem crúcians se daret íntime
Patri munus et hóstiam.
Tanti
nos, pétimus te, Deus óptime,
doctóris
précibus dírige, cónfove,
ut
lætas líceat nos tibi in ómnia
laudes pángere sæcula. Amen.
With festive praise we sing of Jerome, the star
who shines upon us, eminent in his worthy teaching and also by the deeds of his
brave and austere life. This man by his
searching study clearly interpreted the word of faith and holy dogma, and with
strength of a lion he refuted sharply his enemies. In the sweat of his brow he
carefully cultivated the green pastures of Scripture given by heaven; and from
this source he richly produced for all the sweet food of grace. Desiring the
pleasing silence of the desert, he stood watch at the cradle of the Lord, that
crucifying his flesh he might from his heart offer himself as a gift and
sacrifice to the Father. We ask you, O great God, by this doctor’s prayers,
direct us and support us, that we may joyfully sing praises to you, throughout
all ages. Amen.
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