When considering Pope Urban VIII’s contributions to our patrimony of office hymnody, these hymns for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila surely rank among the best.
Haec est dies
This is the day, when, filled with love,
And shining like a heavn’ly dove,
The spirit of Teresa flies
To temples high above the skies.
To temples high above the skies.
And then she hears the bridegroom’s voice:
“The wedding of the Lamb, rejoice!
Come, sister, from Mount Carmel’s height.
Come to your crown of glory bright.”
May all the virgins blest adore
O Bridegroom Jesus, evermore,
And sing You wedding songs of praise
Throughout the everlasting days.
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Regis superni
Your father’s home abandoning,
You went to herald heaven’s King,
Or in a heathen land be killed,
And let your youthful blood be spilled.
But sweeter death ahead is planned.
A gentler pain makes its demand.
When Love divine Himself bestows,
A speartip strikes the wounding blows.
O victim of God’s love, inspire
In us such hearts of burning fire,
And free the ones who trust you well
From falling in the fires of hell.
May all the virgins blest adore,
O Bridegroom Jesus, evermore,
And sing You wedding songs of praise
Throughout the everlasting days.