Arnulf of Leuven

Arnulf of Louvain ( * 1200 in Leuven, today: Belgium, † 1250 in Villers ) was a Cistercian monk, abbot, and poet.

Life and work

Arnulf of Leuven was as Cistercians in Villers- la -Ville Abbey in Brabant. Since 1240 he was there dept

He is the author of a cycle of seven Latin Passion poems under the title Salve Mundi salutare ( Hail salvation of the world ), the meditative worship each a particular member of the crucified Christ: feet, knees, hands, side, chest, heart and facial. This is also known as rhythmica oratio cycle, which was mistakenly attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, was widespread in the 17th century when Catholics and Lutherans and popular.

Dietrich Buxtehude composed it into a seven -part cycle of the Passion cantata entitled " Membra Jesu nostri ".

Salve caput cruentatum, the last poem of the cycle, the Latin original of the famous Passion chorale O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by Paul Gerhardt, the Johann Sebastian Bach used in the St. Matthew Passion and today in the Evangelical Hymnal ( No. 85) and to Catholic hymnal praise of God (No. 179 ) place.