Vexilla Regis

Vexilla Regis a hymn which takes its name from the first words, Vexilla Regis proderunt ("The kingly banners forward go"), sung in procession on Good Friday before the Mass of the Presanctified. It was composed by Venantius Fortunaatus (q.v.) on the occasion of the reception of certain relics of St. Gregory of Tours and St. Radegund, prior to the consecration of a new church at Tours. It is strictly a processional hymn, but was afterwards adapted for use in-the Western Church during Passion-tide, and is now used, in an English version, very generally in the Church of England.