Invicte Martyr, unicum

Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Invicte Martyr, unicum
Patris secutus Filium,
Victis triumphas hostibus,
Victor fruens cœlestibus.
Tui precatus munere
Nostrum reatum dilue,
Arcens mali contagium,
Vitæ repellens tædium.
Soluta sunt jam vincula
Tui sacrati corporis:
Nos solve vinclis sæculi,
Dono superni Numinis.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ej usque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc, et per omne sæculum.

Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled
To follow close God’s only Son,
Well didst thou brave thy battlefield,
And well thy heavenly bliss was won!
Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray
That God may pardon us and bless;
For prayer keeps evil’s plague away,
And draws from life its weariness.
Long, long ago, were loosed the chains
That held thy body once in thrall;
For us how many a bond remains!
O love of God release us all.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise to Thee, Eternal Son;
All praise, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While never-ending ages run.

Author: Unknown, 10^th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Percy Dearmer. There are twelve translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Lauds in the Common of one Martyr. First line of Original Text: Martyr Dei, qui unicum.

“O unconquered Martyr, thou who didst follow the only-begotten Son of the Father, thy enemies having been overcome, thou dost triumph, and, as victor enjoy heavenly delights.” Triumphas: The Martyr’s triumph consists in the possession and enjoyment of eternal glory.
“By virtue of thy intercession wash thou our guilt away; keep at a distance the contagion of sin, and drive away life’s weariness.” Precatus (n.), prayer. Munere, merit, favor.
“Loosened now are the chains of thy sacred body; deliver us also, by the grace of the Heavenly Godhead, from the chains of the world.” Vinclis = vinculis.