Aeterni Christi Munera | The Victory of the Martyrs

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‘Let us sing with joyful hearts

And bearing the praise which we owe

Of eternal gifts of Christ

And the victories of the martyrs

Princes of the churches, [5]

triumphal leaders of the war,

soldiers of the heavenly court,

and true lights of the world,

After the terrors of the world are conquered,

And the punishment of the body scorned, [10]

They take hold of the blessed light

Through a direct path: holy death.

Martyrs are handed over to the flames,

and to the teeth of beasts;

the frenzied executioner’s hand [15]

armed with claws rages at them.

Their exposed entrails hang,

their holy blood pours out,

but they remain unmoving

by the grace of eternal life. [20]

The devoted faith of the saints,

the unconquered hope of believers,

the perfect charity of Christ

conquers the prince of the world.

In them is the Father’s glory, [25]

in them is the desire of the Spirit,

in them the Son exults,

heaven is filled with joy.

Now we beg you, Redeemer,

that you join your praying servants [30]

in a fellowship of martyrdom,

Forever and ever.’