Ecce fulget clarissima: Hymn for St. Patrick

This hymn, in medieval Irish plainchant, is from a 15th century Sarum rite Office for Saint Patrick, sung here by the group Canty. This recording includes only about half of the verses of the hymn. Below you'll find the Latin and its translation for the portion of the hymn on the recording. Following that you will find the verses not on the recording.

Ecce fulget clarissima
Behold the shining brightness
Patricii solemnitas,
of the solemnity of Patrick
in qua carne deposita
when, having laid aside his body,
felix transcendit sidera.
he happily ascends to heaven.
Qui mox [a] pueritia
Already from his boyhood
divina plenus gratia
he was filled with divine grace
vitam cepit diligere
and began to love the life
dignitatis angelice.
of angelic dignity.
Hic felici prosapia
This man of a blessed lineage
ortus est in Britannia
was born in Britain
perceptoque baptismate
and after receiving baptism
studet [ad] alta tendere.
strove to attain the heights.
Clemens et rectus Dominus
But the merciful and upright Lord
sed futurorum prescius,
knowing the shape of future things
hunc direxit apostolum
directed this apostle
hybernie ad populum.
to the people of Ireland.
Erat namque hec insula
For this island was
bonis terre fructifera,
fruitful with the earth's good things
mergebatur ad infima.
yet dragged down to the lowest point
sed cultore ydolatra
by its idolatrous worship.
Laus sit patri in filio
Praise be to the Father, in the Son
cum spiritu paraclito,
with the Spirit Paraclete,
qui suo dono gratie
who by his gift of grace
misertus est hybernie. Amen
has shown mercy to Ireland. Amen

(These verses complete Patrick's story.)

When he arrived here
the distinguished teacher, Patrick,
preached to the heathens
that which he lived in his life.

The heathens assented
to his sacred warnings
and spitting out the devil
worshipped the King of all.
And rejoicing to be free
they returned to their homeland
from which they had once been expelled through the serpent's cunning.

Therefore, most beloved,
let us in turn sing psalms
with heart and voice to Christ
in praise of this bishop,
So that with his help,
freed from vice,
we may fully enjoy
the angelic vision in glory.

-ConcordPastor