«HOMINIS SUPERNE CONDITOR». — Hymn of the Vespers for Friday, belonging to the Irish-Anglo-Saxon group.
The poet draws inspiration from the narrative of the sixth day of Creation (Gen. 1, 24-28), which culminates in the appearance of man, destined to rule over all creation. In humble prayer, one asks God that man may overcome the instincts of greed and cultivate feelings of peace, a gift from God and the anticipated joy of paradise.
Bibl.: G. Belli, Gli inni del Breviario romano tradotti, Roma 1857, pp. 88-89; F. Vanderstuyf, Les hymnes de l'Ordinair du Breviario romain, Parigi 1912, p. 76; V. Terreno, Gli inni del Divino Ufficio tradotti, Mondovi 1932, pp. 92-93; A. Mirra, Gli inni del Breviario romano, Napoli 1947, p. 76. Silverio Mattei.