Here silent is Christ’s Herald

In honor of St. Peter Martyr (Peter of Verona) (Though the authenticity of this prayer is uncertain, Aquinas is said to have written it around the year 1263 during a visit to the tomb of Peter Martyr at St. Eustorgio’s Convent in Milan (see Antonio Touron, Ristretto delle vite de i primi discepoli di S. Domenico [Rome: Pagliarini, 1744], 44–45). The Latin for this text is from the Parma edition (1869) with emendations noted. It is here translated in verse by Msgr. H. T. Henry.)

Here silent is Christ’s Herald; here quenched, the people’s light; here lies the martyred champion who fought Faith’s holy fight.

The voice the sheep heard gladly, the light they loved to see; he fell beneath the weapons of graceless Cathari.

The Savior crowns his soldier; his praise the people psalm. The Faith he kept adorns him with martyr’s fadeless palm.

His praise new marvels utter, new light he spreads abroad and now the whole wide city knows well the path to God.