Jesu Redemptor omnium

Jesu, the world’s Redeemer

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Jesu Redemptor omnium,
Perpes corona Præsulum,
In hac die clementius
Indulgeas precantibus.
Tui sacri qua nominis
Confessor almus claruit
Hujus celeb rat annua
Devota plebs solemnia,
Qui rite mundi gaudia
Hujus caduca respuens,
Æternitatis præmio
Potitur inter Angelos.
Hujus benignus annue
Nobis sequi vestigia:
Hujus precatu servulis
Dimitte noxam criminis.
Sit Christe Rex piissime
Tibi, Patrique gloria,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne sæculum.

Jesu, the world’s Redeemer, hear;
Thy Bishops’ fadeless crown, draw near:
Accept with gentlest love to-day
The prayers and praises that we pay.
The meek Confessor of Thy Name
To-day attained a glorious fame;
Whose yearly feast, in solemn state,
Thy faithful people celebrate.
The world and all its boasted good,
As vain and passing, he eschewed;
And therefore with Angelic bands,
In endless joy forever stands.
Grant then that we, most gracious God,
May follow in the steps he trod:
And, at his prayer, Thy servants free
From stain of all iniquity.
To Thee, O Christ, our loving King,
All glory, praise, and thanks we bring:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.

Author: Ambrosian, 8^th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. D. Chambers. There are eight translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of a Confessor and Bishop.

“O Jesus, the Redeemer of all, the eternal crown of Bishops, mayest Thou on this day be graciously indulgent to Thy suppliants.” Perpes, itis = perpetuus. Præsul, a patron, protector (post classical); the word had a quite different meaning in classical Latin.
“On this day shone resplendent the glorious Confessor of Thy Name, whose yearly solemnity a devout people celebrate.” Qua refers to die in the preceding stanza. Claruit, “shone resplendent” in glory among the Saints and Angels.
“Rightly despising the fleeting joys of this world, he obtains an eternal reward among the Angels.” Rite = merito. Præmium æternitatis = præmium æternum.
“Graciously allow us to follow his footsteps; through his intercession, forgive Thy servants the punishment due to their sins.” Annuere, grant, permit.