The hymn for Matins and Vespers on the feast of St Michael the Archangel was originally written by Rabanus Maura in the early 9th century. The text was revised in the 1600s and indulgenced by Pope Pius VII in 1817.
Here is the text as it appears in the Raccolta.
110. THE HYMN “ TE SPLENDOR”
Pope Pius VII., by a Rescript of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, May 6, 1817, granted –
i. An indulgence of 200 days once a day to all the faithful who, with contrite hearts and devotion, say the following hymn, with the antiphon and prayer, in honour of St. Michael the Archangel; to obtain for themselves the mighty aid which his patronage affords to all in the assaults of the enemy of man, and iii all teuiuIitatIsi11s, whether in life or death.
ii. A plenary indulgence to all who shall have said this hymn every day for a month together, on any one day when, after Confession and Communion, they shall pray according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
Te splendor et virtus Patris,
Te vita, Jesu, cordium,
Ab ore qui pendent tuo,
Laudamus inter Angelos.
Tibi mille densa millium
Ducum corona militat:
Scul explicat victor crucem
Michael salutis signifer.
Draconis hic dirum caput
In ima pellit tartara,
Ducemque cum rebellibus
Coelesti ab arce fulminat.
Contra ducem superbiae
Sequamur hunc nos Principem,
Ut detur ex Agni throno
Nobis corona gloriae.
Patri, simulque Filio,
Tibique sancte Spiritus,
Sicut fuit, sit jugiter,
Saeclum per omne gloria. Amen.
Ant. Princeps gloriosissime, Michael Archangele, esto memor nostri: hic et ubique semper precare pro nobis Filium Dei.
V. In conspectu angelorum psallam tibi, Deus meus.
R. Adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum, et confitebor nomini tuo.
Oremus.
Deus, qui miro ordine angelorum ministeria hominumque dispensas: concede propitius, ut, a quibus tibi ministrantibus in coelo semper assistitur, ab his in terra vita nostra muniatur. Per Dominum nostrum, &c.
TRANSLATION.
O Jesu, lifespring of the soul,
The Father’s power, and glory bright!
Thee with the angels we extol;
From Thee they draw their life and light.
Thy thousand thousand hosts are spread
Embattled o‘er the azure sky;
But Michael bears Thy standard dread,
And lifts the mighty cries on high.
He in that sign the rebel powers
Did with their dragon prince expel;
And hurl’d them from the heaven’s high towers
Down like a thunderbolt to hell.
Grant us with Michael still, O Lord,
Against the Prince of Pride to fight;
So may a crown be our reward,
Before the Lamb’s pure throne of light.
To God the Father glory be,
And to his sole-begotten Son;
The same, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While everlasting ages run.
Ant. Most glorious Prince, Michael the Archangel, be thou mindful of us; here, and in all places, pray for us to the Son of God most high.
V. I wilt sing praises to Thee, my God, before the Angels.
R. I will adore Thee in Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name.
Let us pray.
O God, who in the dispensation of Thy providence dost admirably dispose the ministry of angels and of men; mercifully grant that the Holy Angels, who ever minister before Thy throne in heaven, may be the protectors also of our life on earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
St Michael the Archangel, Pray For Us!
Today’s bonus feature, the St Michael prayer of Leo XIII set to chant.
