NTIL POPE PIUS XI instituted the feast of Christ the King (in 1925, the jubilee year), the KINGSHIP OF CHRIST was traditionally celebrated on the Epiphany and on Palm Sunday. Indeed, the 1961 Ordo Hebdomadae Sanctae says for Palm Sunday: Nihil impedit, quominus cantetur a fidelibus hymnus Christus vincit, vel alius cantus in honorem Christi Regis. Translated into English, that means: “The faithful may also sing the hymn CHRISTUS VINCIT or any other chant in honor of Christ the King.” Yesterday—which was Palm Sunday—we sang a Hymn to Christ the King called Te Saeculorum Principem. We used the harmonies from the Brébeuf hymnal, and the mood of this melody was just perfect for Palm Sunday. A literal English translation is included:
* PDF Download • Te Sæculorum Principem (SATB)
—Using the Hymn Tune of “Notre Dame” with Brébeuf harmonies.
In this recording from yesterday, you can hear a baby crying:
The fifth verse of “Te Saeculorum Principem” is particularly beautiful:
For this art Thou concealed
on the altar by the form of
bread and wine, pouring forth
salvation upon Thy children
from Thy pierced heart.
Number 753 in the Brébeuf hymnal is “Te Saeculorum Principem,” with a wonderful English translation by Father Fitzpatrick.
Below you will find five (5) rare translations of “Te Saeculorum Principem”—and these can be sung to the “Notre Dame” tune above.
The translation by Shewring is also #143 in the London Oratory Hymn Book.
Our recessional yesterday was “Vexilla Regis Prodeunt” (sung in English), which is Number 529 in the Brébeuf hymnal.
