Te Deum Laudamus

Te Deum Laudamus, or TE DEUM, an ancient Latin hymn which has always been sung at least once a week throughout the Western Church. The tradition that it was composed by St. Ambrose and St. Augustine on the occasion of the latter's baptism appears to have no authentic foundation. From the manner in which it is mentioned in the "rules of Caesarius of Arles," who was consecrated bishop in 502, it is thought it must have been written before the middle of the 5th century; but, as it contains quotations from the Vulgate, it cannot - at least in its present form - be older than the days of Jerome (d. 420).