Saints LightTantum Ergo
The last two verses of the Pange Lingua, written by St Thomas Aquinas for the feast of Corpus Christi (1264); the English is the translation by Edward Caswall (1849). It is sung at Benediction just before the priest blesses the people with the Blessed Sacrament.
The prayer
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er 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 Ghost proceeding
Forth from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.
V. Thou didst give them bread from heaven.
R. Containing in itself all delight.
Let us pray. O God, who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
In Latin
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen.
Pray it this week
Find out when your parish (or one nearby) has Benediction or Eucharistic adoration, and go once this month; pray this before you leave.
More in Hymns and Canticles
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