The Savior left high heaven to dwell

Author: Pope Benedict XIV

Benedict XIV Pope (Prospero Lambertini) was born March 31, 1675, at Bologna. On Dec. 9, 1726, while Bishop of Ancona, he was created Cardinal by Pope Benedict XIII., and in 1731 returned to Bologna as Archbishop. He was elected Pope in 1740, and died at Rome May 2, 1758. He was an able, learned, and pious man, an excellent administrator and an authority on liturgical and hymnological matters. In vol. vi., Rome, 1751, of his Opera he published the full text of the Offices for the Maternity and the Purity of the B. V. M. Presumably, therefore, the hymns of these Offices are by him. See further notes on (1) Coelo Redemptor, (2) O stella Jacob, (3) Praeclara custos, and (4) Te mater. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictiona… Go to person page >

Translator: Edward Caswall

Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >