VEXILLA Regis(王旗前導燦爛晶明)

Vexilla Regis由維南提烏斯·福圖納圖斯(Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609)所作,被認為是禮儀中最偉大的聖詩之一。福圖納圖斯創作此詩,是為了迎接一大塊十字真木的到來。這塊聖物是由東羅馬皇帝查斯丁二世(Justin II)及其皇后索菲亞(Sophia)贈予拉德貢德女王(Queen Radegunda)的。當時,拉德貢德女王已退隱至她在普瓦捷(Poitiers)附近所建造的一所女修院,並正在為那裡的教堂尋找聖物。為了慶祝聖物的運抵,女王便請求福圖納圖斯為恭迎聖物入堂的遊行禮儀創作一首讚美詩。

因此,這首聖詩與十字架有著密切的關聯,非常適合在從苦難主日(Passion Sunday)到聖禮拜四(Holy Thursday)的晚禱(Vespers),以及在舉揚聖十架日上詠唱。過去,在聖禮拜六(Good Friday),當至聖聖體從遷供處(repository)被迎回祭台時,也會詠唱這首聖詩。下方所列的是福圖納圖斯讚美詩的全文,但在禮儀中使用時,會省略第2、第4和第7節。構成結尾榮耀頌(doxology)的最後兩節並非出自福圖納圖斯之手,而是一位後期詩人的所補充。

在Anglican Office Book之中,第4、5、6、9、10段用於9月14日 舉樣聖十架日的前夕晚禱中使用。

拉丁文 英文 中文
VEXILLA Regis prodeunt;
fulget Crucis mysterium,
quo carne carnis conditor
suspensus est patibulo.
ABROAD the regal banners fly,
now shines the Cross's mystery:
upon it Life did death endure,
and yet by death did life procure.
王旗前導燦爛晶明,
十架奧義燦然彰彰;
生命甘受死亡之殤,
藉此死難賜人永康。
Confixa clavis viscera
tendens manus, vestigia,
redemptionis gratia
hic immolata est hostia.
-
Quo vulneratus insuper
mucrone diro lanceae,
ut nos lavaret crimine,
manavit unda et sanguine.
Who, wounded with a direful spear,
did purposely to wash us clear
from stain of sin, pour out a flood
of precious water mixed with blood.
祂被可怕長矛所傷,
血水傾流滌罪之濤;
特為洗淨罪孽污垢,
救贖恩典由此昭昭。
Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
dicendo nationibus:
regnavit a ligno Deus.
FULFILLED is all that David told
In prophetic song of old:
Amidst the nations, God,saith he,
Hath reign'd and triumph'd from the Tree.
如舊約先知所預言,
至聖主國度真穩堅;
大衛寶座永遠昌衍,
由木架勝君親開展。
Arbor decora et fulgida,
ornata Regis purpura,
electa digno stipite
tam sancta membra tangere.
O Tree of beauty, Tree of light!
O Tree with royal purple dight!
Elect on whose triumphal breast
Those holy limbs should find their rest.
美哉聖樹光耀璀璨,
紫徽尊飾君王寶冠;
蒙選枝幹托承聖體,
萬民救主安息其上。
Beata, cuius brachiis
pretium pependit saeculi:
statera facta corporis,
praedam tulitque tartari.
On whose dear arms, so widely flung,
The weight of this world's ransom hung:
The price of humankind to pay,
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
懸十架雙臂釘穿透,
孤身肩荷世上罪尤;
代負債務免我戚憂,
戰勝黑暗泯罪滅仇!
Fundis aroma cortice,
vincis sapore nectare,
iucunda fructu fertili
plaudis triumpho nobili.
-
Salve, ara, salve, victima,
de passionis gloria,
qua vita mortem pertulit
et morte vitam reddidit.
-
O Crux ave, spes unica,
hoc Passionis tempore!
piis adauge gratiam,
reisque dele crimina.
O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
On this triumphant Feast, avail
To give fresh merit to the saint,
And pardon to the penitent.
十字聖架吾眾依仗,
值此凱旋慶典頌揚;
賜予聖徒新恩冠冕,
痛悔者得赦罪恩典。
Te, fons salutis Trinitas,
collaudet omnis spiritus:
quos per Crucis mysterium
salvas, fove per saecula. Amen.
To thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done:
Whom by the Cross thou dost restore,
Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
永恆三一真神共融,
萬有當歸敬拜尊崇;
十架救贖眾生歸依,
護佑統管永無窮盡。阿們。