Te Splendor
"Te Splendor" is a Roman Catholic hymn dedicated to Saint Michael, the Archangel. The hymn derives its name from the fact that in Latin it begins with the words: "Te splendor et virtus Patris". The hymn is found in the Roman Breviary. History. "Te splendor et virtus Patris" is based on the hymn "Tibi, Christe, splendor Patris" attributed to Rabanus Maurus, which was revised in 1632 by Pope Urban VIII. Many churches and religious orders continued to use the original version. In the Roman Breviary, "Te Splendor" is traditionally sung at Vespers and Matins on the Feast of  St. Michael the Archangel (September 29), which also commemorates the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel and all the Angels on Mount Gargano. (The apparition of St. Michael at Gargano is observed on May 8.) In 1817 Pope Pius VII granted an indulgence of 200 days once a day for saying the hymn (including antiphon and prayer) with a contrite heart and devotion, in honor of St. Michael the Archangel in order to obtain his patronage and protection against the assaults of the enemy of man. The hymn is included in the Raccolta collection of prayers, and  its authorized translations. Versions. Tomás Luis de Victoria composed an arrangement of "Tibi Christe splendor patris". Palestrina arranged it as a hymn for four voices; Luca Marenzio set it as a motet. "Te Splendor et virtus Patris" forms a part of Marcel Dupré's "Le Tombeau de Titelouze" for organ. English Catholic priest Frederick Charles Husenbeth did an English translation from the Latin, as did Anglican priest and hymnwriter John Mason Neale in his 1867 "Mediæval Hymns and Sequences". Catholic Oratorian Edward Caswall's, translation is rendered as "O Jesu! Life-Spring of the Soul". Hymn. English text of the  hymn is as follows: