Contents Iesu Rex admirabilis
O Jesus, King Most Wonderful
Hymni


Iesu, Rex Admirabilis is part of the hymn Iesu, Dulcis Memoria which is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). This hymn was used at Matins for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, which was celebrated on the Sunday between the Circumcision and Epiphany, or failing such a Sunday, on January 2. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was deleted, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial on January 3.

IESU, Rex admirabilis
et triumphator nobilis,
dulcedo ineffabilis,
totus desiderabilis.
O JESUS, King most wonderful!
Thou Conqueror renowned!
Thou Sweetness most ineffable!
in whom all joys are found!
Quando cor nostrum visitas,
tunc lucet ei veritas,
mundi vilescit vanitas,
et intus fervet caritas.
When once Thou visitest the heart,
then truth begins to shine;
then earthly vanities depart;
then kindles love divine.
Iesu, dulcedo cordium,
fons vivus, lumen mentium,
excedens omne gaudium
et omne desiderium.
O Jesu! Light of all below!
Thou font of life and fire!
surpassing all the joys we know,
and all we can desire.
Iesum omnes agnoscite,
amorem eius poscite;
Iesum ardenter quaerite,
quaerendo inardescite.
May every heart confess Thy name,
and ever Thee adore;
and seeking Thee, itself inflame
to seek Thee more and more.
Te nostra, Iesu, vox sonet,
nostri te mores exprimant;
te corda nostra diligant
et nunc, et in perpetuum. Amen.
Thee may our tongues for ever bless;
Thee may we love alone;
and ever in out lives express
the image of Thine own. Amen.

From the Roman Breviary, see also the Raccolta; #117, (S. C. Ind., June 13, 1815; S. P. Ap., July 16, 1936). Translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)


<- Prev

©copyrighted by Michael Martin

Next->