Salutis æternæ dator

Giver of life, eternal Lord

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Salutis æternæ dator,
Jesu, redemptis subveni:
Virgo parens clementiæ
Dona salutem servulis.
Vos Angelorum millia,
Patrumque cœtus, agmina
Canora Vatum: vos reis
Precamini indulgentiam.
Baptista Christi prævius,
Summique cœli Claviger,
Cum ceteris Apostolis
Nexus resolvant criminum.
Cohors triumphans Martyrum,
Almus Sacerdotum chorus,
Et virginalis castitas
Nostros reatus abluant.
Quicumque in alta siderum
Regnatis aula principes,
Favete votis supplicum,
Qui dona cœli flagitant.
Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sæculorum sæcula.

Giver of life, eternal Lord!
Thy own redeemed defend;
Mother of grace! thy children save,
And help them to the end.
Ye thousand thousand Angel hosts!
Assist us in our need;
Ye Patriarchs! with the Prophet choir!
For our forgiveness plead.
Forerunner blest! and Thou who still
Dost heaven’s dread keys retain!
Ye glorious Apostles all!
Unloose our guilty chain.
Army of Martyrs! holy Priests
In beautiful array!
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste!
Wash all our stains away.
All ye who high above the stars
In heavenly glory reign!
May we through your prevailing prayers
Unto your joys attain.
Praise, honor, to the Father be,
Praise to His only Son;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

Author: Ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are eight translations. First two lines of Original Text: Jesu Salvator sæculi Redemptis ope subveni. There is another form of this text beginning: Festiva sæclis colitur. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of All Saints.

“O Jesus, giver of eternal life, aid those whom Thou hast redeemed: O Virgin, Mother of mercy, grant salvation to thy servants.” Dona: obtain through thy intercession.
“O ye thousands of Angels, ye assembly of Patriarchs, and melodious host of Prophets, ask forgiveness for sinners.” The Prophets are called canorous or melodious on account of the poetical nature of the language they frequently use.
“May the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, may the key-bearer of heaven, together with the other Apostles loosen the chains of our sins.” The key-bearer is St. Peter: Et tibi dabo claves regni cœlorum (Matt. 16, 19).
“May the triumphant host of Martyrs, the august choir of priests and virginal chastity wash away our guilt.” Virginalis castitas = virgines castæ.
“All ye who reign as princes in the high court of heaven, give ear to the prayers of the suppliants who ask earnestly for the gifts of heaven.”