Authors of the Latin Hymns

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

AMBROSE, ST. (340-397), Bishop of Milan, is justly styled “the Father of Church-song in the West.” He became, like St. Hilary, a great champion of orthodoxy against the Arians in the West. And it was while he and his faithful flock were besieged in his Cathedral by the imperial troops that, as St. Augustine tells us, he first composed hymns for them to sing “lest they faint through fatigue of sorrow.” The simple, austere hymns of St. Ambrose have always been considered the ideal in Church-song. Many hymns have been ascribed to him, and there is some difference of opinion as to what hymns he actually wrote. The latest authority on this subject is the eminent hymnologist Father Dreves, who made a careful study of the early hymnaries in the Vatican and at Milan. He thus classifies the hymns of St. Ambrose:
1. Certified as his by early writers. Æterne rerum Conditor. 2. Deus Creator omnium. 3. Illuminans altissimus. 4. Veni Redemptor gentium. 5. Jam surgit hora tertia.
2. Others also genuine. 6. Æterna Christi munera, Et martyrum. 7. Agnes beatæ virginis. 8. Amore Christi nobilis. 9. Apostolorum passio. 10. Apostolorum supparem. 11. Grates tibi, Jesu, novas. 12. Hie est dies verus Dei. 13. Splendor paternæ gloryæ. 14. Victor, Nabor, Felix, pii.
3. Possibly his. 15. Jesu corona virginum. 16. Nunc, Sancte nobis Spiritus. 17. Rector potens, verax Deus. 18. Rerum Deus tenax vigor.
The Benedictine editors of the works of St. Ambrose assign twelve to him. Among them, and not mentioned above, are the two Breviary hymns: Somno refectis artubus, and Cons or s paterni luminis. There are three excellent articles in the Cath. Encycl. on Ambrosian Hymnography, Ambrosian Chant, and Ambrose, St. Hymns: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 154, 158, 163.
AMBROSIAN. A great many hymns, mostly of the fifth or sixth century, are styled Ambrosiani—Ambrosian hymns. They are so styled either because they were formerly supposed to have been written by St. Ambrose, or because they imitate the stanzaic form, the style, meter, and austere objectiveness of the genuine hymns of the Saint. It is now known for certain that many hymns formerly thought to be his are the compositions of unknown writers. These hymns are uniformly written in Iambic dimeter. The term Ambrosian implies no ascription of authorship, but merely a poetical form. Hymns: 1, 5, 20, 21, 22, 29, 35, 36, 37, 38, 50, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 71, 155, 157, 161, 162.
ANTONIANO, CARDINAL SILVIO (1540-1603) was educated at the University of Ferrara, in which institution he later became professor of classical literature. He is best known as a student of educational problems. Hymn: 165.
ROBERT, SAINT AND DOCTOR, cardinal, theologian and controversialist (1542-1621), was born at Montepulciano in Italy. He resigned the archiepiscopal see of Capua to accept the office of librarian of the Vatican. He was canonized in 1930, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1931. Hymns: 125, 136, 137.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, ST. (1091-1153) was born near Dijon in France. Abbot and Doctor of the Church— surnamed the “Mellifluous Doctor.” There is much doubt as to the authorship of the hymns usually ascribed to St. Bernard. Even his claim to the celebrated hymn, Jesu dulcis memoria has been called in question. During his lifetime, St. Bernard exercised an extraordinary influence both by his eloquence and by his writings. Hymns: 43, 44, 45, 130.
BERNARD OF CLUNY (or of Morlaix) was born at Morlaix in Brittany early in the 12th century. He entered the celebrated Benedictine Abbey of Cluny where he remained until his death, the date of which is unknown. He is the author of one of the most famous poems of the Middle Ages, the De contemptu mundi, which contains about 3,000 lines in dactylic hexameters. It is dedicated to Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny (1122-1156). There is a fine analysis of this great poem in the article on Bernard of Cluny, in the Cath. Encycl. Hymns: 170, 171, 172, 173.
ELPIS (d. about 493) was the wife of the philosopher Boethius (480-524). Elpis was the aunt of St. Placidus, the well-known disciple of St. Benedict. Recent researches, however, have led to the conclusion that there is no reason, or at least insufficient reason, to ascribe the authorship of Aurea luce (Decora lux) to Elpis. None of the ancient MSS. attribute it to her (James Mearns in the Dict. of Hymnology, p. 1632). Hymns: 90, 91,116,117.
FORTUNATUS, VENANTIUS (530-609) was a native of the district of Treviso in Upper Italy and was educated at Ravenna, where he devoted himself to the study of oratory and poetry. He was miraculously cured of a disease of the eyes through the intercession of St. Martin of Tours. It was while on a visit to the tomb of this Saint that he made the acquaintance of Queen Radegunde at Poitiers. It was here that he was ordained priest, and later consecrated Bishop of Poitiers, where he remained until his death. Fortunatus represents “the last expiring effort of the Latin muse in Gaul” to retain something of the “old classical culture amid the advancing tide of barbarism” (Dict. of Hymnol., p. 383). Hymns: 51, 52, 53, 150,151.
GREGORY THE GREAT, ST. (540-604). This illustrious Pope and Doctor of the Church was born at Rome, where he founded the Benedictine monastery of St. Andrew, of which he himself became Abbot. Much against his own will he was elected Pope to succeed Pelagius II, in 590. The Benedictine editors of St. Gregory’s works ascribe to him eight hymns. Daniel assigns him three others. In the light of the latest researches it must be admitted that Pope Gregory’s place in hymnody cannot as yet be definitely fixed. Hymns: 6, 7, 10, 15, 17, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 48, 49, 126.
HERMANN CONTRACTUS (1013-1058) was born at Altshausen in Suabia. He was a cripple from birth and could not move without assistance—hence the surname Contractus, the crippled. Despite his physical defects, he entered the school of St. Gall in his seventh year, and quickly mastered Greek, Latin, Arabic, history, music, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. He was one of the most learned men of his time. At the age of thirty he entered the Benedictine monastery of Reichenau, where he became Abbot and spent the remainder of his days. Hymns: 30, 33.
HILARY, ST. (d. 368). Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He was born at Poitiers of heathen parents; and it was in his native city that he was elected Bishop. As Bishop, his strenuous opposition to the Arian heresy earned him the title of Malleus Arianorum—“The Hammer of the Arians.” His hostility to the Arians caused him to be exiled to the distant coasts of Phrygia. Many hymns have been ascribed to St. Hilary, most of which are of doubtful authenticity. In 1887, a fragment of St. Hilary’s Liber Hymnorum was discovered. This contains three hymns or parts of hymns which can with reasonable certainty be ascribed to him. Hymn 70 has often been ascribed to him, but on insufficient evidence.
INNOCENT III, POPE (1161-1216) was born at Anagni in Italy. He was one of the most learned theologians and jurists of his time. During his active reign, which lasted eighteen years, the Papacy reached the zenith of its power and influence. Hymn: 67.
INNOCENT VI, POPE (d. 1362) was born at Mont in France. He attained eminence as a professor of civil law at Toulouse. As Pope he was actuated by lofty ideals and did much to reform abuses. Hymn: 80.
JACOPONE DA TODI (or Jacobus de Benedictis) was born at Todi in Italy early in the thirteenth century, and died at an advanced age in 1306. He studied law, probably at Bologna, and for some years he followed the profession of advocate. About 1278 he entered the Franciscan Order, in which, out of humility, he chose to remain a simple lay brother till the end of his life. Hymns: 54, 55, 56, 57.
LEO XIII, POPE (1810-1903) was born at Carpineto in Italy. He was Nuncio to Brussels, and for thirty-two years Bishop of Perugia. He was elected Pope in 1878. His long reign during troublous times afforded him ample opportunities for the exercise of consummate statesmanship. The whole world recognized his great intellectual endowments. His Latin Poems, Charades, Inscriptions, and Hymns are translated by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor H. T. Henry, Litt. D. (Dolphin Press, Philadelphia). Hymns: 95, 96, 97.
LORENZINI, FRANCESCO M. (1680-1743) was an Italian poet born in Rome. He acquired a high reputation as a poet, and was remarkable for the energy of his style. He became president of the Academy of Arcades in 1728. Hymn: 112.
NICETAS, ST. (335-415) was Bishop of Remesiana, in what is now modern Serbia. He was a friend and contemporary of St. Paulinus of Nola. SS. Paulinus and Jerome praise Nicetas as a hymn-writer. Hymn: 8.
ODO, ST. (879-942), Abbot of the celebrated Abbey of Cluny, was born near Le Mans in France. He was widely known as a promoter and reformer of religious life in France and Italy. He is the author of an epic poem on the Redemption. Hymn: 127.
PALUMBELLA, CALLISTO was a Bishop of the Servite Order. He lived in the eighteenth century. Hymns: 131, 132, 133.
PAULINUS, ST. (726-802), Patriarch of Aquileia, was born near Cividale in Italy. He possessed a profound knowledge of the sciences of jurisprudence and theology, and was equally well versed in the Scriptures and in the writings of the Fathers. He was a friend of Charlemagne, whom he greatly assisted in restoring civilization in the West. Hymns: 89, 128.
PAUL THE DEACON (b. circa 720—d. circa 799). Paul was born at Friuli in Italy. He was celebrated both as a poet and as an historian. He was a Benedictine monk of Monte Cassino. Among his works is a valuable “History of the Lombards,” and a “Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict.” Hymns: 113, 114, 115.
PRUDENTIUS, AURELIUS CLEMENS (348-413) was born in northern Spain. He was successively an advocate, a judge, and the holder of some important military position at court. At the age of fifty-seven he retired from active life and devoted the remainder of his days to the service of God, and to the writing of sacred poetry. His poem, the Cathemerinon, is frequently referred to in this volume. A new and excellent translation of it by Messrs. Pope and Davis, with Latin and English texts on opposite pages, is published by J. M. Dent & Co., Aldine House, London, W. C, England; 208 pages, with notes. Hymns: 14, 16, 18, 41, 42, 47, 129.
RABANUS MAURUS (776-856) was born at Mainz in Germany. He studied under Alcuin at Tours, and became successively Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Fulda, and Archbishop of Mainz. He is commonly reputed to have been the most learned man of his age. His fame as a teacher spread throughout Europe, and Fulda became the most celebrated seat of learning in the Frankish Empire. Hymns: 68, 134, 135, 147, 148.
RICCHINI, AUGUSTINE, 18th cent. Father Ricchini was a Dominican, a friend of Pope Benedict XIV, and successively Secretary of the Congregation of the Index, and Master of the Sacred Palace. Hymns: 138, 139, 140, 141.
SEDULIUS, CAELIUS, was born probably at Rome in the 5th century. Late in life he became a convert to Christianity and remained a layman. His principal work is his Carmen Paschale, in five books. The first book contains a summary of the Old Testament; the remaining four contain a summary of the New Testament. Hymns: 39, 46.
TAROZZI, VINCENT (1849-1918) was called to Rome in 1885, and appointed Secretary of Latin Letters to Pope Leo XIII, in 1892. Hymns: 101, 102, 103.
THEODULPH, ST. (760-821) was Bishop of Orleans in France. He was probably an Italian by birth. He became a member of the court of Charlemagne, through whose influence he became Bishop of Orleans. “After the death of Charles he continued for some time on friendly terms with the Emperor Louis, but, falling under suspicion of being concerned in the plot in favor of Bernard of Italy, he was imprisoned in 818, at Angers, where he seems to have died in 821” (Julian’s Dict. of Hymnol). Hymn: 58.
THOMAS AQUINAS, ST. (1227-1274) was born at Aquino, a town near Naples. He entered the Dominican Order and became one of the greatest doctors of the Church. He is by common consent, “The Poet of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.” He composed the Mass and Office of the Feast of Corpus Christi and five sublime hymns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Hymns: 75, 76, 77, 78, 79.
THOMAS OF CELANO was born at Celano in Italy about 1200, and died about 1255. He was one of the first disciples of St. Francis Assisi. On the death of St. Francis, Thomas, at the request of Pope Gregory IX, wrote his life. He also wrote two beautiful sequences in honor of St. Francis. His immortality as a poet is based on his very probable authorship of the greatest of all hymns, the Dies Iræ. Hymn: 87.
URBAN VIII, POPE (1568-1644) was born at Florence, and was educated at the Collegio Romano. He graduated from the University of Padua as Doctor of Laws. He is commonly recognized as a generous patron of learning, and was himself a man of letters, and an elegant writer and poet. It is not unnatural that a man of his taste and culture should have become imbued with the Humanistic spirit of the age in which he lived. It was under his directions that the hymns of the Roman Breviary were revised by a committee of four distinguished Jesuit scholars. The revised hymns were published in 1632, and are still found in the Roman Breviary. Hymns: 92, 93, 94, 107, 108, 123, 124, 142, 143.
WIPO was a native of Burgundy, and flourished during the first half of the eleventh century. He was a secular priest, and was for some time chaplain to the Emperors Conrad II, and Henry III, to each of whom he presented a collection of poems. Hymn: 59.
XAVIER, ST. FRANCIS (1506-1552), the Apostle of India and Japan, was born near Sanguesa in Spain. He studied at the University of Paris, and was one of the first associates of St. Ignatius of Loyola when the latter founded the Society of Jesus. Shortly after his ordination he began his wonderful missionary career which ended only with his death. Hymn: 74.