IN BAPTISMATE DOMINI

 

 

I Vesperas: saec. X?

 

Walpole: pp. 310-311; An alphabetical hymn, which in various places and times was sung for Christmas, Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. 

 

A Patre Unigénite, (1)

ad nos venis per Vírginem,

baptísmi rore cónsecrans

cunctos, fide regénerans.

 

De cælo celsus pródiens (2)

éxcipis formam hóminis, (3)

factúram morte rédimens, (4)

gáudia vitæ lárgiens.

 

Hoc te, Redémptor, quæsumus:

illábere propítius,

clarúmque nostris córdibus

lumen præbe deíficum.

 

Mane nobíscum, Dómine, (5)

noctem obscúram rémove,

omne delíctum áblue,

pie medélam tríbue.

 

O Christe, vita, véritas,

tibi sit omnis glória,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat cælitus. Amen.

 

(1)   Walsh and Hutch: This the Mozarabic version of the hymn: baptísmi rore cónsecrans “but the notion that the Cross consecrates our baptism is a traditional theme”. Ambrose: “what is water without Christ’s cross”; Milfull: evidence for crucem instead of baptisma.

(2)   Celsus = Altissimus; prodit = coming into the world.

(3)  Formam as in Phil. 2.7.

(4)   Factúram= that which is created.

(5)   Mane nobíscum, Dómine makes the hymn appropriate for Vespers;

 

Only-begotten from the Father, you come to us through the Virgin, consecrating all men by the dew of baptism, regenerating them by faith. You are heavenly, going forth from heaven, taking the form of man, freeing creation from death, and granting joy of life. O redeemer, we ask of you: graciously pour out this upon and show bright and deifying light to our hearts. Stay with us, O Lord, remove the obscurity of night, wash away all sin, graciously grant healing. O Christ, life and truth, to you be glory, whom the celestial glory of the Father and the Spirit revealed. Amen.

 

Laudes: novus

 

Iesus refúlsit ómnium

pius redémptor géntium;

totum genus fidélium

laudis celébret cánticum.

 

Denis ter ævi círculis

iam parte vivens córporis,

lympham petit baptísmatis

cunctis carens contágiis.

 

Felix Ioánnes mérgere

illum treméscit flúmine,

potest suo qui sánguine

peccáta mundi térgere.

 

Vox ergo Prolem de polis

testátur excélsi Patris,

fluítque virtus Spíritus

sancti datrix charísmatis.

 

Nos, Christe, voce súpplici

precámur, omnes prótege,

ac mente fac nitéscere

tibíque mundos vívere.

 

O Christe, vita, véritas,

tibi sit omnis glória,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat cælitus. Amen.

 

Jesus shines forth, the holy Redeemer of all nations, may all the faithful celebrate him with a canticle of praise. Having lived thirty years in the body already, he sought the water of baptism, although he had no sin. Happy John feared to immerse him in the river, the one who by his blood takes away the sins of the world.  The voice of the Father from heaven testifies that Jesus is his Son and the power of the Holy Spirit, the giver of graces, flows upon him.  We humbly pray you, O Christ, to protect us all, and make us with shining minds to be cleansed and so live for you.   O Christ, life and truth, to you be glory, whom the celestial glory of the Father and the Spirit revealed. Amen

 

Ad Officium lectionis & ad II Vesperas: saec. X

 

The first four stanzas of the hymn Implente munus debitum are taken from the last part of the hymn Inluxit orbi iam dies: see Walpole pp. 314-316.

 

Implénte munus débitum (1)

Ioánne, rerum cónditor

Iordáne mersus hac die

aquam lavándo díluit,

 

Non ipse mundári volens

de ventre natus Vírginis, (2)

peccáta sed mortálium

suo lavácro tóllere.

 

Dicénte Patre quod «meus

diléctus hic est Fílius»,

suménte Sancto Spíritu

formam colúmbæ cælitus,

 

Hoc mýstico sub nómine

micat salus Ecclésiæ;

Persóna trina cómmanet

unus Deus per ómnia.

 

O Christe, vita, véritas,

tibi sit omnis glória,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat cælitus. Amen.

 

(1)   The lines in this stanza have been altered from the original:

Iohanne Baptista sacro

implente munus debitum,

Iordane mersus hac die

aquas lavando diluit,

 

(2)  Walpole: The virgin birth cuts off the transmission of original sin;

John now fulfills his duty: the Creator of all things is this day plunged into the Jordan River, by his washing he washes the water. He who was born from the womb of a Virgin does not himself seek to be cleansed but by his washing to take away the sins of mortal men.  The Father proclaims “this is my beloved Son” and the Holy Spirit descends from heaven in the form of a dove. By this mystical word the salvation of the Church is revealed; the three Persons remain one God through all things.  O Christ, life and truth, to you be glory, whom the celestial glory of the Father and the Spirit revealed. Amen.