This hymn is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). In the Roman Breviary it appears as the hymn Placare, Christe, servulis. In the interest of conforming to classical models, Pope Urban VIII revised Maurus' hymn leaving only line 22 unaltered. Thus given the extent of the changes, that hymn ought to be considered as a hymn distinct from this one. Christe, Redemptor omnium is used for first and second Vespers for the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1).
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CHRISTE, redemptor omnium,
conserva tuos famulos,
beatae semper Virginis
placatus sanctis precibus. |
TO Thy poor servants reconciled
show mercy, Christ, for whom the mild
and Virgin Patroness this grace
implore before Thy Father's face. |
Beata quoque agmina
caelestium spirituum,
praeterita, praesentia,
futura mala pellite. |
Ye glorious hosts, whose circle nine
before God's throne refulgent shine,
shield us with your celestial arms
from past, present, and future harms. |
Vates aeterni iudicis
apostolique Domini,
suppliciter exposcimus
salvari vestris precibus. |
Apostles with the Prophets plead
for weeping sinners in their need,
that from their Judge severe they gain
pardon, effacing guilt's dark stain. |
Martyres Dei incliti
confessoresque lucidi,
vestris orationibus
nos ferte in caelestibus. |
Ye purpled martyrs, you, now dressed
in white because your lives confessed
your Lord on earth, us exiles call
unto the fatherland of all. |
Chori sanctarum virginum
monachorumque omnium,
simul cum sanctis omnibus
consortes Christi facite. |
O choir of virgins, stainless band!
and ye for whom the desert-land
made sure the way to heavenly rest,
prepare us mansions with the blest. |
Auferte gentem perfidam
credentium de finibus,
ut unus omnes unicum
ovile nos Pater regat. |
The race perfidious expel
from regions where the faithful dwell;
let one sole shepherd be our guide,
all Christians in one fold abide. |
Sit Trinitati gloria,
vestrasque voces iungite
ut illi laudes debitas
persolvamus alacriter. Amen. |
Glory, O Father! to Thy name;
eternal Son, to Thine the same;
to Holy Paraclete be praise
throughout the everlasting days. |
Latin from Liturgia Horarum, English from "Catholic World", Vol XXXII, 1880
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