Dies Irae
by Bl. Thomas of Celano, St. Francis' First Biographer

Introduction

The Dies Irae is commonly attributed to the authorship of Friar Thomas of Celano, author of the First and Second Life of Saint Francis. It is a hymn of singular awe and piety. It is customarily sung as part of the Requiem Mass, the mass said for the repose of the deceased. It is also said by thirds during the canonical hours on days commemorating the dead.

The date of composition is the mid thirteenth century.

The hymn is a meditation on the Last Jugement, when Christ will come again in glory, no longer granting mercy, but as the Just Judge who will separate the just from the wicked, casting the latter into eternal fire, and welcoming the former to eternal bliss. The hymn closes with a supplication for mercy before the coming of that terrible day.

The English text is approximate and not official.
Day of wrath, day that
will dissolve the world into burning coals,
David bears witness with the Sibyll.

How great a tremor is to be,
when the judge is to come
briskly shattering every (grave).

A trumpet sounding an astonishing sound
through the tombs of the region
drives every man before the throne.

Death will be stunned and so will Nature,
when arises (man) the creature
responding to Him (who) judges.
 

The written book will be brought forth,
in which all is contained
whence the world is to be judged.

Therefore when the Judge shall sit,
there will appear whatever lay hidden;
nothing useless will remain.

O Thou, God of Majesty,
nourishing brilliance of the Trinity,
join us with the blessed (saints).

What then is the wretch that I am to say,
what patron I beseech,
when scarecly the just man is secure?

King of tremendous Majesty,
who saves those to be saved free,
save me, fount of piety.

Remember, faithful Jesus,
that I am the reason for your journey,
lest Thou lose me on that day.

Thou has sat down as one wearied seeking me,
Thou has redeemed me having suffered the cross;
so much labor let it not be lost.

 Just judge of the punishment,
grant the gift of remission (of sins)
before the day of reckoning.

I groan just as the accused,
my face grows read with (my) blame;
spare (this) supplicant, O God.

O Thou, God of Majesty,
nourishing brilliance of the Trinity,
join us with the blessed (saints).

Thou who for gave the sinful woman,
and favorably heard the thief,
hast also given me hope.

My prayers are not worhty,
but do Thou, Good (God), deal kindly
lest I burn in perennial fire.

Among the sheep let me stand
and from the goats withold me,
standing at Thy right hand.

After the accursed have been silenced,
(and) doomed to bitter flames,
call me with the blest.

Knelling and bowed down I pray,
My heart contrite as if in ashes,
Do Thou, My End, care for me.

That sorrowful day,
on which will arise from the buring coals
Man accused to be judged:
therefore, O God, do Thou spare him.

O Thou, God of Majesty,
nourishing brillance of the Trinity,
join us with the blessed (saints.) Amen.