Does anyone know if there is a matins hymn in honor of St. Joan of Arc? If it exists, it possibly tells the story of her battle victories? I already have the chants for both vespers and the one for lauds.
kenstb, our children's choir has adopted St. Joan as one of our patron saints. Last year, her May 30th feast day coincided with the Thursday Solemnity of Corpus Christi, so we were able to include some prelude pieces in her honor. This year we are planning to go visit her chapel on the campus of Marquette and sing there. History and photos here: http://www.marquette.edu/chapel/gallery/index.shtml
Here is the translation for the lauds hymn, "Hostium Victrix" (#184), found there on p. 228: After the victory, hastening thy steps thou dost accompany Charles, triumphantly, to the venerable Cathedral, so that according to custom, with holy oil, he may be anointed king.
With tears of joy, O Joan, thou dost congratulate the prince; holding thy noble banner in thy hand thou dost render fitting thanks to God.
Liberating the people from their long captivity, thou hast worked wonders, O generous Virgin! With every right will the ages proclaim thee the mother of the nation.
But a better and more beautiful recompense awaits thee. A new labor with its triumph summons thee: God in entrusting it to thee, will give thee courage and also the crown.
Let us offer our praise to God, who has delivered his oppressed people, and by the merits of this holy patroness, may France live forever. Amen.
Expeditus, what a beautiful French Gothic chapel! I was reading the history, and the chapel was for a time located on a Gold Coast estate Long Island before it was donated to the University of Marquette.
Thanks for the link to the Cantus Selecti! Some real treasures here.
I believe Sancta Joanna de Arc is the correct form of St. Joan's name in the nominative singular. If you look at the hymn Hostium Victrix, you'll see her name mentioned as Joanna (in the vocative). The title is in the genitive case, hence the ending -ae, translated as of St. Joan d'Arc. If you look at the other hymns you'll see the same format: S. Annae, S. Teresiae, S. Ludovici, S. Martini. I imagine these are hymns "in honor of" a particular saint, hence the use of the genitive in the title.
JulieColl, I had also seen it elsewhere, spelled as "Johanna."
Here are a couple of other chants which are found in the appendix of the Paroissien Romain. I have included the translations.
STAT CULTRIX VIGILANS (First Vespers) Stat cultrix vigilans pauperis hortuli, Annorum tredecim parvula, ni sciens, Primas docta preces, præ sociis pia, Simplex, mitis et innocens.
Dum voces superas excipit, expavet; Sed, fidens Domino, fortior in dies, Parens imperiis, pro patria libens Castam se vovet hostiam.
Mox dulces socias et patriam domum, Et cum matre patrem iussa relinquere, Miles facta Dei, quo vocat Angelus, Fertur nil trepidans eques.
Qui terras statuit, gloria sit Patri: Qui gentes redemit, gloria Filio: Sancto Spiritui gloria, qui pias Et fortes animas facit. Amen.
She carefully cultivates her poor garden; she is but a child of thirteen, knowing but the usual prayers, but so pious, simple, meek and innocent.
While at prayer, the Archangel Michael teaches her; two illustrious virgins, equal in splendor and virtue encourage her in frequent conversations.
On hearing these heavenly voices, she fears; but, little by little, fortified by divine grace, she obeys their orders, and as a chaste victim, willingly devotes herself to her country.
Out of obedience, she leaves her dear companions, her birthplace, her father and mother, and, become soldier of God, she leaves on horseback, without fear, for the place where the Archangel summons her.
Glory be to the Father, who created the earth; glory be to the Son who redeemed all nations; glory be to the Holy Ghost who maketh souls to be pious and courageous. Amen.
SALVE, VIRILIS PECTORIS (For Second Vespers) Salve, virilis pectoris Virgo, Patrona Galliæ! Tormenta dira sustinens, Christi refers imaginem.
Voces supernas audiens, Iesu repleta lumine, Dum fata pandis patriæ, Silent parentque iudices.
Oppressa flammis clamitas Iesum, crucemque fortiter Amplexa, ad Ipsum simplicis Instar columbæ, pervolas.
Choris beatis Virginum Adscripta, cives adiuva: Te deprecante, singulis Detur corona gloriæ.
Sit laus Patri, sit Filio: Sancto decus Paraclito, Qui corda amore sauciat, Vires et auget languidis. Amen.
Hail O courageous Virgin! Patroness of France. Thy sorrowful passion recalls to our minds the image of Christ.
Instructed by heavenly voices and filled with the light of Jesus, thou dost unveil the destiny of thy Fatherland, before thy silent and terrified judges.
Surrounded with flames, thou dost invoke Jesus: and embracing the cross, energetically, thou dost fly to him as an innocent dove.
Thou, who art now among the blessed choirs of Virgins, succor thy compatriots; may all through thy prayers, receive the crown of glory.
Praise be to the Father! Praise be to the Son. Glory be to the Holy Comforter, who wounds hearts with the fire of his love, and strengthens souls who are weak. Amen.
COLLECT FOR THE FEAST: Deus, qui beatam Ioannam Virginem ad fidem ac patriam tuendam mirabiliter suscitasti: da, quæsumus, eius intercessione; ut Ecclesia tua, hostium superatis insidiis, perpetua pace fruatur. Per Dominum. Amen.
O God, who in wondrous wise didst raise up blessed Joan for the defense of her faith and her country: grant, we beseech thee, through her intercession, that thy church, overcoming all the wiles of her enemies, may enjoy unceasing peace. Through our Lord. Amen.
Folks, the spelling that I gave was French not Latin. She spelled her own name "Jehanne". She remains the only person in history who terrified the army of Great Britain. She drove the British from the Loire Valley forever. She belongs among the martyrs. What a great saint.
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