«BEATA NOBIS GAUDIA». — A hymn of Lauds for the feast of Pentecost, commonly used in the liturgy since the 10th century. The descent of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Apostles as recounted in Acts 2 are here narrated in a lively and light form. The tongues of fire, which transform the disciples and make them heralds of the Gospel with the power of speech and the flame of charity, have elevated the poet to a grand vision. This rapid evocation closes with a humble prayer asking the Lord that the gifts of the Spirit may also descend upon us, that our sins may be forgiven, and that times of quiet and peace may come upon all.
Bibl.: G. G. Belli, Gli inni del Breviario tradotti, Roma 1866, pp. 182-83; L. Venturi, Gli inni della Chiesa, tradotti e commentati, 3rd ed., Firenze 1880, p. 278 ff.; S. G. Pimont, Le hymnes du Breviare romain, III, Paris 1884, p. 152 ff.; C. Albin, La poésie du Breviare, Lyon n.d., p. 205 ff.; G. Bossi, Gli inni del Breviario romano, versione ritmica, Roma 1919, p. 96; M. Mirra, Gli inni del Breviario romano, Napoli 1947, p. 127. Silvestro Mattei