« AURORA CAELUM PURPURAT ». - Hymn of the Breviary for Lauds in Eastertide, contained in manuscripts of the ninth century. From the stanzas, flowing lightly and joyfully, bursts forth all the gladness of the new dawn, namely that of Christ’s Resurrection. Death has been conquered, and the words of Paul, «Ubi est mors victoria tua?», animate the poet’s inspiration. The night of sin has passed, the time of penance is now ended, and as the dawn announces the day, so Christ risen and victorious over death is the beginning of new life. No more tears, no more ashes and haircloth, but exultation and joy. Few hymns better than the present one are attuned to the mystery they celebrate.
BIBL.: G. G. Belli, Inni del Breviario romano tradotti, Roma 1856, pp. 162-63; L. Venturi, Gli inni della Chiesa, tradotti e commentati, 3ª ed., Firenze 1880, p. 230; S. G. Pimont, Les hymnes du Bréviaire romain, Parigi 1884, pp. 101-105; U. Chevalier, Repertorium hymnologicum, Lovanio 1889-97, nn. 1622-1644; C. Albin, La poésie du Bréviaire, I, Lione s. a., p. 183; G. Bossi, Gli inni del Breviario romano, versione ritmica, Roma 1919, p. 23; A. Mirra, Gli inni del Breviario romano, Napoli 1947, p. 118. Silverio Mattei