Vir celse forma fulgida

Vir celse, forma fulgida
virtutis, hymnum suscipe,
qui iure dum te praedicat,
Dei canit magnalia.
O model of such virtue bright,
Our noble saint, receive this song,
Which tells of you and praises God,
To whom your wondrous deeds belong.
Qui sempiternus Pontifex
stirpem Deo mortalium
revinxit, atque reddidit
paci novo nos foedere,
He is the High Priest ever more,
Who reconciled our mortal race
And brought us back to peace with God
By this new covenant of grace.
Te fecit ipse providus
sui ministrum muneris,
Patri daturum gloriam
eiusque vitam plebibus.
Pro papa:
Tu Petri ovile caelitus
sumptis regebas clavibus,
gregemque verbo gratiae,
puris fovebas actibus.
For a pope:
When Peter's keys you had received,
By heaven's pow'r you ruled the sheep,
With gracious words and pure deeds,
The Lord's own flock did tend and keep.
Pro episcopo:
Virtute factus ditior
te consecrantis Spiritus,
praesul, salutis pinguia
tu tradidisti pabula.
Pro presbytero:
Regalis huius culminis
adeptus altitudinem,
verbo fuisti et moribus
doctor, sacerdos, hostia.
Locatus in caelestibus,
sanctae memento Ecclesiae,
oves ut omnes pascua
Christi petant felicia.
As from the heav'nly realm you watch,
The holy Church now call to mind
And guide her sheep with fervent prayers,
The blessed fields of Christ to find.
Sit Trinitati gloria,
quae sancti honoris munia
tibi ministro sedulo
dignis coronat gaudiis.

Part of this translation appears in the Hymnal for the Hours, by Rev. Samuel Weber, O.S.B.