Hymn for St. Vitale at lauds
St. Vitalis of Milan is the patron saint of Ravenna. He was a wealthy citizen who was discovered to be a Christian by the judge Paulinus when Vitalis encouraged St. Ursicinus at his execution. He was stretched on the rack, thrown into a pit, and then covered with stones and earth.
1.
Insigne decus martyrum,
Astrum Vitalis aureum
Per gloriam certaminis
Orbem perfundit radiis.
Outstanding splendor of a martyr,
Golden star Vitalis
Through the glory of struggle
He suffuses the world with his rays.
2.
Ense praecinctus fidei
Christi succurrit militi;
Dum lapso manum porrigit,
Hostem calcare docuit.
Girded with the sword of faith
He succors the soldier of Christ;
While he stretches out his hand to the one who has fallen,
He taught him how to trample the enemy.
3.
Eculeo suspenditur,
Sed poena parvipenditur.
Amoris ardor intimi
Non sentit vim supplicii.
He is hung on the rack,
But he considers this punishment light.
The flame of inmost love
Does not feel the of force of torture.
4.
Terrae mersus infoditur
Sed super astra tollitur;
Obruitur ruderibus,
Radiat in caelestibus.
Having been let into the grave he is buried in the earth
But he is raised above the stars;
He is thoroughly covered with lumps of earth,
While he shines in the heavens.
5.
Nos, martyr invictissime,
Da post ruinam vincere
Digneque post victoriam
Ad caeli transfer gloriam.
Allow us, unconquered martyr,
After our destruction to conquer
And after an honorable victory
Carry us to the glory of heaven.
6.
Sit patri laus ingenito…
Let there be praise to the unborn Father…
