Contents Salutis aeternae dator
Giver of Life, Eternal Lord
OmnesSancti


This hymn in its original form, Iesu, salvator saeculi, is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). In the interest of conforming to classical models, Pope Urban VIII revised Maurus' hymn giving the form below. Only four lines of the original remain unaltered, so in reality this hymn ought to be considered as a hymn that is distinct from its original form. Salutis aeternae dator is used in the Roman Breviary as a hymn for Lauds for the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1). With the reform of the Liturgy of the Hours, the original form of the hymn, Iesu, salvator saeculi, has been restored for the feast.

SALUTIS aeternae dator,
Iesu, redemptis subveni;
Virgo, parens clementiae,
dona salutem servulis.
GIVER of life, eternal Lord,
Thy own redeemed defend;
Mother of grace, thy children save,
and help them to the end.
Vos, Angelorum millia,
Patrumque coetus, agmina
canora Vatum; vos, reis
precamini indulgentiam.
Ye thousand thousand Angel hosts,
assist us in our need;
Ye Patriarchs, with the Prophet choir,
for our forgiveness plead.
Baptista Christi praevius,
Summique caeli Claviger
cum ceteris Apostolis
nexus resolvant criminum.
Forerunner blest, and Thou who still
dost heaven's dread keys retain;
Ye glorious Apostles all,
unloose our guilty chain.
Cohors triumphans Martyrum,
almus Sacerdotum chorus,
et virginalis castitas
nostros reatus abluant.
Army of Martyrs, holy Priests,
in beautiful array;
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste,
wash all our stains away.
Quicumque in alta siderum
regnatis aula principes,
favete votis supplicum,
qui dona caeli flagitant.
All ye who high above the stars
in heavenly glory reign,
May we through your prevailing prayers
unto your joys attain.
Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito
in saeculorum saecula.
Praise, honor, to the Father be,
praise to His only Son;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
while endless ages run.

Latin from Roman Breviary. Translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)


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