O Filii et Filiae — paschal hymn
The hymn O Filii et Filiae — O sons and daughters — is one of the most popular and beloved paschal chants of all the history of the Latin Church. Its composition is solidly attributed to the Franciscan friar Jean Tisserand OFM († 1494), preacher in Paris and founder of the fraternity Filles Pénitentes. The first printed attestation dates from 1494, in a posthumous booklet of the author containing hymns for the Office in the Octave of Easter. Originally composed in 9 stanzas, it was expanded to 12 in the editions of the Officium Beatae Mariae Virginis (Rome, 17th cent.) and finally to the form of 13 stanzas which entered the Liber Usualis (Solesmes, 1934) and the Cantus Selecti (Solesmes, 1957). The hymn is traditionally sung at the Vespers and Compline of the Octave of Easter, at the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament during the Paschal Time, in paschal processions and in any devotional manifestation of the Resurrection. Each stanza is introduced and closed by the triple refrain Alleluia, creating the most joyful liturgical structure of all Catholic hymnody. Structurally it follows the narrative of the four Gospels on the Resurrection: (1-3) angel and women at the tomb (Mt 28:1-7); (4) road to Emmaus and Peter (Lk 24:12.34); (5-6) apparition in the Upper Room and doubting Thomas (Jn 20:19-29); (7-9) blessedness of faith without seeing and exhortation to believers (Jn 20:29). We present here the 13-stanza form of the Liber Usualis, in integral Latin, with literal English translation of our own.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O sons and daughters,
The King of Heaven, the King of glory,
Today rose from death, Christ. Alleluia.
And at the dawn of the day
The women disciples came to the sepulchre,
Bringing the precious ointments. Alleluia.
An angel, sitting, declares
To the women drawing near:
The Lord has risen, go to Galilee. Alleluia.
Peter and John, learning
That the Lord had risen,
Ran both together to the sepulchre. Alleluia.
On that very day, in the evening,
Jesus came among the disciples:
Standing in their midst, he said: Peace be to you. Alleluia.
When Thomas heard of Christ
That he had risen from the sepulchre,
He remained in doubt of faith. Alleluia.
See, Thomas, the side, see the feet,
See my hands, see my wounds:
Be not unbelieving, but believing. Alleluia.
When Thomas saw the side of Christ,
Saw the feet, saw his hands,
He said: Thou art my God. Alleluia.
Blessed are those who have not seen
And have firmly believed:
They shall possess eternal life. Alleluia.
In this festive solemnity
With great joy let us bless the Lord:
Let us give praise to God. Alleluia.
With all your mind and heart,
With all your voice and mouth,
Let us give praise to the Lord. Alleluia.
Because of this holy solemnity,
Let us fall humbly to the ground:
And to the Lord let us sing a praise. Alleluia.
For whose benefit let us render
For ever to God due thanks,
Adorned with the victory of Easter. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
In Latin
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O filii et filiae,
Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae,
Morte surrexit hodie. Alleluia.
Et mane prima Sabbati,
Ad ostium monumenti
Accesserunt discipulae. Alleluia.
Et Maria Magdalene,
Et Iacobi, et Salome,
Venerunt corpus ungere. Alleluia.
In albis sedens Angelus
Praedixit mulieribus:
In Galilaea est Dominus. Alleluia.
Et Ioannes Apostolus
Cucurrit Petro citius,
Monumento venit prius. Alleluia.
Discipulis adstantibus,
In medio stetit Christus,
Dicens: Pax vobis omnibus. Alleluia.
Ut intellexit Didymus
Quia surrexerat Iesus,
Remansit fere dubius. Alleluia.
Vide, Thoma, vide latus,
Vide pedes, vide manus,
Noli esse incredulus. Alleluia.
Quando Thomas Christi latus,
Pedes vidit atque manus,
Dixit: Tu es Deus meus. Alleluia.
Beati qui non viderunt,
Et firmiter crediderunt:
Vitam aeternam habebunt. Alleluia.
In hoc festo sanctissimo
Sit laus et iubilatio:
Benedicamus Domino. Alleluia.
De quibus nos humillimas
Devotas atque debitas
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.