S. LAURENTII, DIACONI ET MARTYRIS - updated

S. LAURENTII, DIACONI ET MARTYRIS

Ad Laudes matutinas: Prudentius

To give Prudentius credit for this hymn is no great favor to such an accomplished, learned and skillful poet. This hymn is pieced together from various lines from Prudentius’ Peristephanon II with, one suspects, some tinkering from Dom Anselmo’s team. The result is a very obscure and difficult to translate hymn. However, Walpole’s suggestion (noted on a somewhat different centoization)  is helpful: The first two lines are explained by the preceding passage of the original, the sense of which is: the one glory formerly lacking to Rome, now given up to Christ, was the final subjugation of foul Jove, not by the turbulent might of Crossus, Camillus, or Caesar, but by the not bloodless strife of the martyr Lawrence”  (Early Latin Hymns p. 138).  Would that this notion were more clearly expressed in the office hymn.

In mártyris Lauréntii

non incruénto prœlio,

armáta pugnávit Fides

próprii cruóris pródiga.

Hic primus e septem viris

qui stant ad aram próximi,

levíta sublímis gradu

et céteris præstántior.

Hic dímicans fortíssimus

non ense præcínxit latus,

hostíle sed ferrum retro

torquens in auctórem tulit.

Sic, sancte Laurénti, tuam

nos passiónem quærimus;

quod quisque supplex póstulat,

fert impetrátum próspere,

Dum cæli inenarrábili

alléctus urbi múniceps,

ætérnæ in arce cúriæ

gestas corónam cívicam.

Honor Patri cum Fílio

et Spíritu Paráclito,

qui nos tuis suffrágiis

ditent perénni láurea. Amen.

In the not bloodless strife of the martyr Laurence, armed with faith he fought, his own blood prodigally shed.  He was the first of seven men, standing next to the altar, a lofty deacon by rank, surpassing all the others. This most courageous fighter girded no sword at his side, but taking the enemy’s sword in  his back, bore the torture with calm authority.  Thus, O holy Laurence, we seek a passion like yours; may, what each humble soul asks of you, succeed and prosper.  Chosen a fellow-citizen of the city of ineffable heaven,  in height of the eternal court you wear a civic crown. Honor to the Father with the Son and Spirit Paraclete, who by your prayers, O Laurence, enriches us with eternal laurels.  Amen.

Ad Officium lectionis & Vesperas: Petrus Damianus

The Second hymn is much better, but not because St. Peter Damian is a better poet, but because it is not a mix and match of later poets.

Mártyris Christi cólimus triúmphum,

dona qui mundi peritúra spernit,

fert opem nudis, aliménta, nummos

  tradit egénis.

Igne torquétur, stábili tenóre

cordis accénsus súperat mináces

ígnium flammas in amóre vitæ

  semper opímæ.

Spíritum sumpsit chorus angelórum,

íntulit cælo bene laureándum,

ut scelus laxet hóminum, precándo

  omnipoténtem.

Súpplici voto rogitámus ergo

ómnibus, martyr, véniam precéris,

cordis ardóres, fídei tenácem

  usque vigórem.

Glóriam Patri resonémus omnes,

eius et Nato modulémur apte,

cum quibus regnat simul et creátor

  Spíritus almus. Amen.

We celebrate the triumph of a martyr of Christ, who spurned the passing gifts of the world, brought help to the naked, handed over to the needy food and money.  Tortured by fire, he stood strong, his heart enkindled, overcoming the menacing flames of fire, for the sake of his love of abundant life. The choir of angels receives his spirit, he wears well the victory laurels rightly given by heaven to loosen the sins of men by praying to God almighty. Therefore, O martyr, we humbly ask that you pray pardon for all, for fervent hearts, tenacious faith, and strength. Let us all resound glory to the Father and sing rightly of his Son, with whom the Spirit Creator rules. Amen.