« PATER SUPERNI LUMINIS ». — Hymn of Vespers for the feast of s. Maria Maddalena, composed by s. Roberto Bellarmino.
The scene that took place in the house of Simone, in which the sinner bathes the feet of Jesus with tears and, having dried them with her hair, covers them with sweet perfumes, is described here in vivid colours. The poet wishes to exalt the miracle of Grace and Redemption.
BIBL.: G. G. Belli, Gli inni del Breviario tradotti, Rome 1857, p. 280; C. Albin, La poésie du Bréviaire romain, Lyon n.d., p. 310; A. Mirra, Gli inni del Breviario romano, Naples 1947, p. 227. Silverio Mattei