Hymn for the Birth(day) of Priests (Hymn for the Most Important Bishops)
130.
1.
The birthday of a holy bishop arises.
May the pious people rejoice celebrating
And with joyous song resound in the heart of
Christ, who rules over all.
2.
This one scorning the joys of his own body,
Endures the long martyrdom of the cross.
He suffered torments more violent than a wound,
He who was his own torturer.
3.
Celebrated leader of the holy army
He was the form of virtue to his following
Burning hearts with strong voices,
Also with outstanding habits.
4.
He carried 12 stones on his chest,
He shone with a covering (robe) of a twice dyed tunic,
From which bells sound sweetly,
And pomegranates hang.
5.
By the same/their prayers, maker of all things,
Raise up those who have been immersed by the weight of sins,
Praise to him, let there be supreme power
And glory forever.
Amen
In Laudibus (131)
1.
Christ, glory of (all) holiness (of the saints?),
Victory of those who struggle,
By the prayers of the martyr (true Christian)
Release us from the bonds of our sins.
2.
Make us imitate (you)
Make us to follow in your footsteps
May you be our common prize,
Who is even made our reward.
3.
For this one placed the lowest
Was raised on high in his habits;
He was humble in rank,
He was brilliantly exalted by his work.
4.
A mind attentive to the heavens
He dreads the noisy world;
Now he cherishes nothing anxious,
Which does not lead to the father.
5.
In that man the kindled spirit
Pants with total exertion.
Now he perceives light
In the inaccessible riddle.
6.
Let there be praise to the unborn father…
These are the only hymns that Peter Damian composed not for a saint but for the municipality. They could date back to his stay in Ravenna in the years 1044-1045 and be connected to the feasts of the bishops Severus and Eleucadius for whom Damiani wrote sermons IV-VI.