«IESU CORONA VIRGINUM». – Hymn of Vespers and Lauds in the Common of Virgins, commonly attributed to St AMBROSE.
Virginity has always held a high place in the Church, and when it has been ennobled by martyrdom, veneration has been spontaneous and heartfelt. Here virginity is praised in beautiful form; Jesus could not be surrounded by a more splendid crown than that formed by creatures who have known how to preserve fresh and fragrant their purity and to overcome the attractions of the senses. It closes with a prayer that we may be cleansed from every stain of sin.
BIBL.: G. G. Belli, pp. 358–360; V. Terreno, pp. 326–327; A. Mirra, pp. 259–260.