The Victimae Paschali Laudes is the sequence for Easter. It has been a required part of the Easter liturgy since its composition in the 11th century. These words are proclaimed to the faithful just before the Alleluia and the proclamation of the Gospel. It is a proclamation of joy, of wonder, and of great honor given to the victorious conquerer of sin and death, Jesus Christ Our King! The sequence can be repeated each day of the Easter Octave which highlights the high importance of Easter as the supreme feast of the liturgical year. 

May the words of this holy hymn echo in our hearts during this Eastertide with hope and great, great joy! 

Listen to a beautiful rendition of the sequence here.

Original Latin 

Victimae paschali laudes immolent Christiani. Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores. Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus. Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via? Sepulcrum Christi viventis, et gloriam vidi resurgentis Angelicos testes, sudarium, et vestes. Surrexit Christus spes mea: praecedet vos in Galilaeam. Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere. Amen. Alleluia. 

Literal English Translation

Let Christians offer sacrificial praises to the passover victim. The lamb has redeemed the sheep: The Innocent Christ has reconciled the sinners to the Father. Death and life contended in a spectacular battle: the Prince of life, who died, reigns alive. Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way? "I saw the tomb of the living Christ and the glory of his rising, The angelic witnesses, The clothes and the shroud." "Christ my hope is arisen; into Galilee, he will go before his own." We know Christ is truly risen from the dead! To us, victorious King, have mercy! Amen. Alleluia. 

Approved for Liturgical Use

Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise. The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled. Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign. Tell us, Mary: say what thou didst see upon the way. The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as He rose! The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting. Christ, my hope, has risen: He goes before you into Galilee. That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know. Victorious King, Thy mercy show! Amen. Alleluia