Læta devote (St. Pascal Baylon): do you like this translation?
  • wingletwinglet
    Posts: 41
    I recently discovered this Franciscan hymn for Vespers of St. Pascal Baylon, who, coincidentally has a feast this coming week (May 17). My beginner attempt at translating it is below--could it be improved?

    Also--I have transcribed the 2-part setting from Ensemble Organum's Chant Corse album.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLLIYBxlmhw
    Could this sheet music be legally posted online? I suppose the piece itself is very old.

    (Original Latin) Læta devote celebret Minorum
    Turba Paschalem recolens fréquenter
    Quam pio, sanctam venerans Synaxim,
    Arsit amore.

    Dum puer pascit pecus iste seque
    Pane jam pasci cupit Angelorum,
    Hunc in excelsis meruit patente
    Cernere cælo.

    Jugiter sacras inhians ad aras
    Dum cibum vitæ meditatur, haeret
    Totus et sancto liquefactus igne
    Lucet et ardet.

    Increpans hostes Fidei fidelis :
    Pane, ait, Christum recipi sacrato,
    Matryrem non dat gladius, sed ipsum
    Prompta voluntas.

    Qui quoad vixit coluit supernum
    Tam pie Panem reserat beatos
    Morte jam clausos oculos velutque
    Vivus adorat.

    Christe, Paschalis meritis, ut omnes
    Corde nos mundo facias precamur,
    Cælica ut digne mereamur esca
    Saepe cibari. Amen.

    ---------------
    With joyful devotion the host of Friars Minor, often recalling Pascal, extol how fervently he burned with love,
    venerating the Holy Sacrament.

    As a boy, following the flock he shepherds, he desires there in the fields the Bread of Angels,
    when there above him, he is given to see that which is revealed in Heaven.

    Ceaselessly suspiring for the holy altar, upon contemplating the Bread of Life, he is suspended altogether,
    and the Sanctissimum, in liquid fire shines forth for him aflame.

    Thus spoke Pascal denouncing the foes of the Faith of believers: In this consecrated Bread, it is Christ received.
    No sword would grant him martyrdom, but that fate he'd swiftly accept.

    Who, as long as he has lived above worshipping so holy a Bread, he opens those blessed eyes already shut in death,
    just as if alive he is adoring.

    Christ, by Pascal's merits, we pray you make clean the heart of all,
    that rightfully we may be made worthy often to be fed this Heavenly Food. Amen.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,513
    winglet, is the hymn supposed to be sung? If so it has to have the right number of syllables per line.

  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,513
    By the way, it is a beautiful hymn!
  • wingletwinglet
    Posts: 41
    I attempted a metrical translation, but was only able to do it for some parts. I opted for a literal translation because my goal was simply to know what I'm singing.
    Thanked by 2Kathy tomjaw
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,789
    Have found the text for the Matins Hymn,
    Splendor paternae gloriae
    and Lauds Hymn,
    Quam se Deus mirabilem
  • rarty
    Posts: 96
    I think you did pretty good.

    For reference, the 'official' US English version (in a different meter, doxology added), from the LOTH Franciscan Supplement:

    With joyful hearts the band of friars
    To Paschal raise their song of praise,
    Recalling oft his love and fervor
    Before the Sacrament of grace.

    While as a boy he tended herds,
    He yearned to taste this heavenly bread.
    When lo! From open heaven its luster
    The Sacred Host around him shed.

    He longed to serve the sacred altar,
    To contemplate the Bread of Life;
    And as he gazed, his spirit mellowed,
    With ardent love for Jesus rife.

    Against the heretics he ventured
    Christ’s presence in the Host to claim;
    He did not win by sword and bloodshed,
    But by desire a martyr’s fame.

    Throughout his life this bread from heaven
    With fond affection he adored;
    And after death his eyes were opened
    To see his Eucharistic Lord.

    We beg you, Lord, through Paschal’s prayers
    To make us ever pure of heart,
    So that this living Bread of Heaven
    May heav’nly life to us impart.

    All praise be to the heavenly Father
    And honor to his only Son,
    And glory to the Holy Spirit;
    All homage to the three in One.



    But here is an older translation in the original meter:

    Now let the Minors' company devoutly
    Hymn with rejoicing Paschal, and remember
    How he, the holy Eucharist adoring,
    Burnt with love's passion.

    He, yet a child, his flock in duty tending,
    Yearned to be sated with the Bread of angels;
    Bread whereupon for love's reward he gazeth
    Now in high heaven.

    Ever, while panting for the holy altars,
    Made he the Food of Life his contemplation;
    Melted with burning heat of love, he gloweth
    Radiant, transfigured.

    Faithful, faith's foes he beareth down, affirming
    Christ's very Body in the Host lies hidden;
    Him not the sword, but ready will to suffer
    Maketh a martyr.

    So through his life-days he the Bread Supernal
    Loved and adored, his death-dimmed eyes are opened,
    And, as he lived still, turn their blessed gazing
    On the Most Blessed.

    Christ, through his merits grant us, we beseech Thee,
    Cleanness of heart, the pledge of Thy beholding;
    So may we merit, on the feast of Heaven,
    E'er to refresh us. Amen.

    - From Gaspar Lefebvre's St. Andrew's Franciscan Supplement (1961)
    Thanked by 1winglet
Add a Comment