Corda Pia

excerpt from A New Book of Old Hymns (pdf)
video (external link)
Quizlet set (external link)
mp3

This one is a gem. Maternal Heart has a bit of a Franciscan background along with it’s Benedictine tendencies. The first priest was a Franciscan and setting up the community co-incided with some Franciscan feasts and novenas to St Francis. Each year about this time they have a novena to st Francis which includes this hymn.

When compiling this hymnbook, this hymn seemed virtually unknown outside Assisi. Providentially I met another Franciscan with some Latin skills who helped with this translation.

For those who understand some Italian This Snippet seems to give some background to the hymn. Looks like a Rite of Corda Pia - a liturgical celebration of the Stigmata of St Francis.

The word-for-word translation below is my own rough work to give some idea. The last line in each block is the better translation.

Corda pia inflammatur, dum Francisci celebrantur, stigmatum insignia

hearts loving {are inflamed} while {of Francis} {is celebrated} stigmata signs

Godly hearts are inflamed while the tokens of Francis' stigmata are celebrated

Absit nobis gloriári, Nisi in Cruce salutári Francísci vestígio.

{from be} {to us} glory {except} in {the Cross} healing {of Francis} footsteps

Far be it from us to glory, save in the healing Cross, in the footsteps of Francis.

Nam in monte vir devótus, Vigil, nudus, ardens totus Crebra dat suspíria.

for on mountain man devoted {keeps watch} naked burning totally frequently gives sighs

For the devoted man on the mountain, keeping watch, naked, wholly burning, frequently sighs.

Solus ergo clausus orans, Super gestis Crucis plorans, Moeróre confícitur.

alone therefore closed praying over carrying {of the Cross} crying grief {is accomplished}

Therefore, alone, praying with tears meditating on the history of the Cross, he is transfixed with sorrow.

Cernit servus Redemptórem, Saeculórum Imperatórem, Passum impassíbilem.

servus Cernit Redemptórem, Saeculórum Imperatórem, impassíbilem passum .

servant sees Redeemer {of ages} ruler {he who is unable to suffer} suffering

The servant sees his Redeemer, the commander of ages, the unassailable assailed.

Cor Francísci transformátur, Corpus vero mox ornátur Mirándis stigmátibus.

Heart {of Francis} {is transformed} body true soon {is adorned} {with the marvellous} Stigmata

Francis' heart is transformed; soon indeed his body is adorned with the marvellous Stigmata.

Crucifíxi ergo Christi Mors et vita fuit isti Jugis meditátio.

Crucified therefore {of Christ} death and life makes this {to yokes} meditation

Therefore the life and death of Christ crucified was his constant meditation.

Cujus cordis vim fevóris Osténdit per membra foris Stígmatum impréssio.

{for whom} {of heart} force {of fervor} displays for limbs outside Stigmata impression

The impression of the Stigmata, shows the force of his heart's fervour outwardly through his limbs.

Crucifíxe, singulári Modo Cruci conformári Mente fac et hábitu.

{O Crucified One} singular way {of the cross} {may we be conformed} mind make and actions

O Crucified One, grant that we may be conformed in our mind and actions to the pattern of the Cross.

Fac ut nos in regno lucis Perfruámur fructu Crucis, Quo laetémur caélitus.

make that we in reign {of light} {we may enjoy} fruits {of the Cross} who enjoys heaven

Make us benefit from the fruit of the Cross in the kingdom of light where we may rejoice with the heavenly one.

Ad quem venit Rex e caelo, Affixúsque Crucis telo Aspéctu pacífico.

To whome comes King from heaven affixed {to the cross} {with the spear} aspect peaceful

To whom the King of Heaven came, fastened to the cross with serene countenance.

Collaudétur Crucifíxus, Francíscus prorsus inníxus Super mundi foédera.

{let him be praised} {the Crucified One} Francis {turned from} {rested upon} over {of the world} {the treaties}

Let the Crucified One be praised with Francis who is resting above the plottings of the world.