ANTRA DESERTI TENERIS AB ANNIS

«ANTRA DESERTI TENERIS AB ANNIS». — Hymn from the Roman Breviary for the Matins of the feast of St. John the Baptist. It is by Paul the Deacon (8th century) and forms the continuation of the hymn recited at the first verses. The thought is inspired by the circumstances of the life of John as related by St. Luke in his Gospel (1:5–23); in our hymn there are recalled: the precursor’s withdrawal into the desert, to avoid every fault of speech, so easy in the midst of the world; his most simple dress; his frugal diet (strophes 1–2). But if the figure of the last of the prophets is, so to speak, wrapped in silence and humility, it nevertheless possesses a greatness and a mission superior to that of all the others: the ancient prophets foretold the coming Messiah; only the Precursor could point Him out and bring down upon His head the waters of Baptism. Indeed, he alone merited the praise of Christ: “Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist” (Mt. 11:11; and in the hymn, strophes 3–4).