«IESU CORONA VIRGINUM». – Hymn of Vespers and Lauds in the Office of Virgins, commonly attributed to St. Ambrose.
Virginity has always enjoyed high esteem in the Church and, when ennobled by martyrdom, veneration has been spontaneous and heartfelt. Here virginity is sung in beautiful form; Jesus could not have been surrounded by a more splendid crown than that formed by creatures who have known how to preserve their purity fresh and fragrant and to overcome the attractions of the senses. It concludes with a prayer that one may be cleansed of every contamination of the senses.
BIBL.: G. G. Belli, pp. 388–80; V. Terreno, pp. 326–27; A. Mirra, pp. 259–260. Silverio Mattei