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Martinæ celebri

With joyous songs

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

  1. Martinæ celebri plaudit nomini
    Cives Romulei, plaudite gloriæ:
    Insignem meritis dicite Virginem,
    Christi dicite Martyrem.
  2. Hæc dum conspicuis orta parentibus
    Inter delicias, inter amabiles
    Luxus illecebras ditibus affluit
    Faustæ muneribus domus.
  3. Vitæ despiciens commoda, dedicat
    Se rerum Domino, et munifica manu
    Christi pauperibus distribuens opes,
    Quaerit præmia cœlitum.
  4. A nobis abigas lubrica gaudia
    Tu, qui Martyribus dexter ades, Deus
    Une et trine: tuis da famulis jubar,
    Quo clemens animos beas.
  1. With joyous songs, great Rome, Martina’s fame extol,
    Her glowing praises tell, and all her mighty deeds;
    A Virgin pure and chaste, she leads a stainless life,
    And for her Lord a Martyr bleeds.
  2. A happy home is hers, and all that makes this world
    So sweet, and fresh, and fair, to those who love its wiles:
    From noblest parents sprung, ‘mid wealth, and love, and joy,
    Her life speeds on, ‘mid naught but smiles.
  3. These pleasures soon she spurns—her wealth she gladly gives
    To Christ’s own blessed poor—herself, to God above;
    No other wealth she seeks save her own spotless Spouse,
    Forever blest in His pure love.
  4. O Thou, the Martyrs’ strength, all cheating joys expel,
    And fill us with Thy bright and never-fading love;
    Show us the beam divine, which forms the crowning joy,
    God, Three in One, of bliss above.
Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Asclepiadic and Glyconic. Translation by Father Potter. There are four translations. Liturgical Use: The complete hymn is divided into three parts of three stanzas each and is used as follows:
92 Vespers: Martinæ celebri
93 Matins: Non Mam crucians
94 Lauds: Tu natale solum

The same doxology A nobis abigas is used at the end of each part.

  1. “Praise, O citizens of Rome, the illustrious name of Martina, praise her glory; celebrate in song a Virgin rendered illustrious by her merits; sing a Martyr of Christ.” Romulei, adj., of Romulus.
  2. “As she was born of distinguished parents, she lived amid pleasures, amid the fascinating allurements of luxury, and she abounded in the rich gifts of a prosperous house.” Constr.: Affluit ditibus muneribus domus faustæ.
  3. “But despising the comforts of life, she dedicates herself to the Lord of creation, and with a lavish hand she distributes her riches among the poor of Christ, and seeks for herself the reward of the Blessed.” St. Martina was left an orphan at an early age. As soon as she obtained possession of her property, she distributed it among the poor of Rome.
  4. “O God, Three and One, Thou who dost mightily assist the Martyrs, drive far from us dangerous pleasures: grant to Thy servants the light wherewith Thou dost graciously bless their souls.” Jubar, the light of glory.