Vexilla Regis

The Vexilla Regis prodeunt is the great hymn of the Cross, composed by St Venantius Fortunatus in 569, on the occasion of the reception of the relic of the True Cross by Queen St Radegund at Poitiers. Sung at the Vespers of Good Friday, of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and in processions with the Blessed Sacrament in the traditional liturgy.

The royal banners forward go,
the Cross shines forth in mystic glow,
where he, in flesh our flesh who made,
our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

There whilst he hung, his sacred side
by soldier’s spear was opened wide,
to cleanse us in the precious flood
of water mingled with his Blood.

Fulfilled is now what David told
in true prophetic song of old,
how God the heathen’s King should be:
for God is reigning from the tree.

O lovely and refulgent tree,
adorned with purpled majesty;
culled from a worthy stock, to bear
those limbs which sanctified were.

Blest tree, whose chosen branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore;
the price of human kind to pay,
and spoil the spoiler of his prey.

O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
this holy Passiontide, avail
to give fresh merit to the saint,
and pardon to the penitent.

To you, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
whom by the Cross you do restore,
preserve and govern evermore. Amen.