Fortem Virili Pectore
FORTEM VIRILI PECTORE
Five-strophe office hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds in the common of feasts of holy women. It was composed by Cardinal Silvio Antoniano (1540–1603), who along with Robert bellarmine, under the chairmanship of baronius, was a member of the commission that was responsible for the corrections and changes made in the Roman breviary by Pope Clement VIII. The common of holy women was added to the Breviary at this time (1602). The hymn is inspired by Prv 31.10, where the valiant woman is described. The meter is iambic dimeter.
Bibliography: j. julian, ed., A Dictionary of Hymnology (New York 1957) 1:382. m. britt, ed., The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal (new ed. New York 1948) 378–379. j. connelly, Hymns of the Roman Liturgy (Westminster MD 1957) 156–157.
[j. p. mccormick]