Beautiful Latin Hymn and Prayers

During the Visita Iglesia on Holy Thursday, as we knelt before the Altar of Repose for prayers and meditation, we heard once again the beautiful Latin Hymns to the Blessed Sacrament. They are solemn and inspiring to the soul, like being in heaven while on earth, even when the faithful may not really understand perhaps what they convey.

In fact my youngest son asked me what they rely mean. I realized I forgot my Latin already, although I could still make some general sense out of it (I think). Anyway, there is always the internet to refresh my aging memory. So here are the more famous Latin Hymn and Prayer and their English translation:

(a)  Tantum Ergo

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

Veneremur cernui:

Et antiquum documentum

Novo cedat ritui;

Praestet fides supplementum

Sensuum defectui.

Genotori, genetoque

Laus et iubilatio,

Salus, honor, virtus quoque

Sit et benedictio:

Procedenti ab utroque

Compar sit laudatio.

Amen.

R.  Panem de caelo praestitisti eis.

V.  Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

R.  Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnes in saecula saeculorum.

V. Amen.

English Translation:

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen,

R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.

V.  Having within it all sweetness.

R.  Let us pray: O God, Who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion, grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever.

V. Amen.


(Note: Tantum Ergo are the opening words of the last two verses of Pange Lingua, 

           a Mediaeval Latin Hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas, the prominent 

           theologian and Doctor of the Church, in the 13th Century.  These last two

           verses are sung during veneration and Benediction of the Blessed

           Sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church.)


(b)  O Salutaris Hostia

O Salutaris Hostia,
Quae caeli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium
Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria.
Amen.

English Translation:

O saving Victim, opening wide,
The gate of heaven to man below!
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, they strength bestow.

To Thy great name by endless praise.
Immortal Godhead, one in Three;
Oh, grant us endless length of days,
In our true native land with Thee.
Amen.

(Note:  O Salutaris Hostia is a moving tribute to our Lord, a wonderful hymn 

            also written by Saint Tomas Acquinas in the 13th Century. He composed

            the text for the feast of Corpus Christi, which was established by the 

            Church in 1264 to honor our Lord in the Eucharist, in His Body and

            Blood.)

Deo Optimo Maximo!