«AETERNA COELI GLORIA». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for the ferial Lauds of Friday. Composed by an ancient imitator of s. Agostino, the hymn was an “abecedarian”; but in a later revision some of the letters of the alphabet disappeared or were altered. The theme is developed with a gentle outpouring of feeling; the poet addresses Jesus Christ, son of the Almighty and of the Virgin, glory of heaven and hope of mortals (st. 1), and prays that He may be the light of our souls, banishing every doubt and every fault from them, as the sun dispels darkness (st. 2-4); and that He may dwell therein, increasing faith, strengthening hope, and rekindling love (st. 5).
BIBL.: G. M. Dreves e C. Blume, Analecta hymnica, 51 (1908), pp. 32-34; S. G. Pimont, Les Hymnes du Bréviaire romain, I, Parigi 1874, pp. 87; L. Venturi, Gli Inni della Chiesa tradotti e commentati, 3ª ed., Firenze 1880, pp. 76-80; C. Albin, La poésie du Bréviaire, Lione s. d., pp. 384-87; A. Mirra, Gli Inni del Breviario Romano per i Licei filosofici e per il clero, Napoli 1947, pp. 75-76. Celestino Testore