Tuesday, September 9
A Beautiful Medieval Hymn to St. Katherine of Alexandria
A doubly-interesting image of the saint's Mystical Marriage, first, in that it shows an adult Christ rather than the Child Jesus, and secondly, juxtaposes it against the similar experience of Catherine of Alexandria, though there with the more usual Christ-Child.
Ex illustri nata prosapia, Catherina,
candens ut lilium, et nobilis,
dono mundicie, crystalina gemma,
lux virginum, sponsa Christi, lux in ecclesia, rosa rubens propter martirium.
Virgo fulgens et nobilissima,
et devincens falsa sophismata,
bona docens et viri nescia,
fit residens in Dei gloria.
Sponsa Christi, lux in ecclesia,
rosa rubens propter martirium.
Virgo vernans, sed viri nescia,
pellens a te viri consorcium,
te rogamus, ut tua gracia roget illum,
cuius imperium sine fine regnat in secula,
quod det nobis celi palacium.
Ex illustri nata prosapia, Catherina,
candens ut lilium.
Born from illustrious stock, Katherine,
shining like a lily, noble too with the gift of purity, crystalline jewel,
light of virgins, bride of Christ, light in the church, a red rose through your martyrdom.
A glittering virgin and very noble,
conquering false arguments,
teaching the good and not knowing a man, becomes resident in the glory of God.
Bride of Christ, light in the church,
a red rose through your martyrdom.
A virgin blossoming but not knowing a man, driving from you the intimacy of a man:
we ask you that, in your grace, you may ask him whose power reigns without end through the ages, to grant us the palace of heaven.
Born from illustrious stock, Katherine,
shining like a lily.
![[SMMMHDH]](http://www.mgilleland.com/music/smmmhdh.png){kind=small}
