Mozarabic Hymn: Holy Wednesday: Vespers

The Pazzi Crucifixion is a circa 1495 fresco of the Crucifixion of Christ by Perugino in the chapter house of the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi in Florence. It is his most notable work in Florence, forming part of the sacred conversation style. It was a commission from the Pucci family - Antonio Billi's account book reports Dionigi and Giovanna Pucci commissioning a work from "Master Piero della Pieve a Chastello, a Perugian" on 20 November 1493 and paying 55 gold ducats on its completion on 20 April 1496.

The central panel shows Mary Magdalene (to whom the monastery church was dedicated in 1257) in prayer at the foot of the cross. The left panel shows the Virgin Mary with Saint Bernard (a major leader in the reform of Benedictine monasticism that caused the formation of the Cistercian order) and the right one shows John the Apostle with Saint Benedict. The three tall trees behind St Bernard may symbolize the Holy Trinity. A fourth panel on the north wall (the others are on the east wall) shows Christ lowering himself from the cross to hold the hands of St Bernard.

Jam legis umbra clauditur,

Novumque Phasse * prodiit,

Cum vera lux in vesperum

Mundi suborta promicat.

Hinc Christe rex post biduum

Coenae litas convivium,

Quo pascha pridem mysticum

In pascha nostrum vertitur.

 Audi fidelium preces,

Qui traditorem passus es;

Hac nocte nos inlumina,

Carnem lava, cor praepara.

Ardor tuae dulcedinis

Interna nostra concremet;

Fides paratos innovet,

Opusque ad regnum vocet.

 Ut, suavitate gratiae

Hinc advocati, in crastinum

Inebriemur poculis

Tui sacrati sanguinis.

Deo Patri sit gloria,

Ejusque soli Filio,

Cum Spiritu Paraclito,

Regnans per omne saeculum.

   Amen.

*Blume & John Mason Neale: phase for Phasse.

Now the shadow of the law is concluded and a new time comes forth, when the true light shines as the light of the world declines into evening.  After the next two days, O Christ the King, you will sacrifice at the banquet of the Cenacle, when the old Passover becomes our mystical Easter. Hear the prayers of the faithful, you who have suffered betrayal, on that night enlighten us, purify our bodies, prepare our hearts. May the ardor of our goodness make us burn within; renew in us ready faith and may our work call us to heaven, that called on the approaching day by your pleasing grace we may be inebriated by the cup of your holy blood.