Iste confessor

Iste confessor is the Vesper hymn for Confessor Bishops, tracable to the 10th century and possibly originally composed in honor of St. Martin<ref>Hymns of the Breviary and Missal by Matthew Britt, Benziger Brothers, 1922</ref>. There are two variants, Iste confessor Domini sacrata and, in the Liber Usualis, "Iste confessor Domini colentes ". Alternatim settings usually begin with the second verse, "Qui pius, prudens"

Settings by composers

Giovanni Matteo Asola even verses ATTB or TTBB odd verses ATBB Caspar Ett SATB Heinrich Finck SATB (first verse) Václav Emanuel Horák SATB with organ

Josquin Lassus José Maurício Nunes Garcia SATB bs (one verse) Josef Ohnewald SATB (XXI - vv.1-2,4-5; XXII - v.1; XXIII - v.5) Giovanni Felice Sances (composer page) Tallis

Organ verses have been written by Frescobaldi (Tocate), Titelouse & others.

Original text and Translations

Latin text 1. Iste Confessor Domini colentes Quem pie laudant populi per orbem : Hac die laetus meruit beatas Scandere sedes. 2. Qui pius, prudens, humilis, pudicus, Sobriam duxit sine labe vitam. Donec humanos animavit aurae Spiritus artus. 3. Cujus ob praestans meritum frequenter, Ægra quae passim jacuere membra, Viribus morbi domitis, saluti Restituuntur. 4. Noster hinc illi chorus obsequentem Concinit laudem, celebresque palmas; Ut piis ejus precibus juvemur Omne per ævum. 5. Sit salus illi, decus, atque virtus, Qui super cæli solio coruscans, Totius mundi seriem gubernat, Trinus et unus. Amen

English translation 1. He, whose confession God of old accepted, Whom through the ages all now hold in honour, Gaining his guerdon this day came to enter Heaven's high portal. 2. God-fearing, watchful, pure of mind and body, Holy and humble, thus did all men find him; While, through his members, to the life immortal Mortal life called him. 3. Thus to the weary, from the life enshrined, Potent in virtue, flowed humane compassion; Sick and sore laden, howsoever burdened, There they found healing. 4. So now in chorus, giving God the glory, Raise we our anthem gladly to his honour, That in fair kinship we may all be sharers Here and hereafter. 5. Honour and glory, power and salvation, Be in the highest unto him who reigneth Changeless in heaven over earthly changes, Triune, eternal. Amen. Another English Translation 1. THIS the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph Now all the faithful celebrate, with gladness Erst on this feast-day merited to enter Into his glory. 2. Saintly and prudent, modest in behavior. Peaceful and sober, chaste was he, and lowly. While that life's vigor, coursing through his members, Quickened his being. 3. Sick ones of old time, to his tomb resorting. Sorely by ailments manifold afflicted, Oft-times have welcomed health and strength returning. At his petition. 4. Whence we in chorus gladly do him honor, Chanting his praises with devout affection, That in his merits we may have a portion. Now and forever.

External links

• List of English paraphrases at Hymnary.org
• Common of Bishop Confessor at www.breviary.net