HYMN “PANGE LINGUA”* in English.
Of the glorious Body telling, O my tongue, its mysteries sing, And the Blood, all price excelling, Which the world’s eternal King, in a noble womb once dwelling, shed for the world’s ransoming.
Given for us, descending, Of a virgin to proceed, Man with man in converse blending, Scattered he the Gospel seed, Till his sojourn drew to ending, Which he closed in wondrous deed.
At the last great Supper lying Circled by his brethren’s band, Meekly with the law complying, First he finished its command, Then, immortal Food supplying, Gave himself with his own hand.
Word made Flesh, by word he maketh very bread his Flesh to be; Man in wine Christ’s Blood partaketh: And is senses fail to see, Faith alone the true heart waketh To behold the mystery.
Therefore we, before him bending, This great Sacrament revere; Types and shadows have their ending, For the newer rite is here; Faith, our outward sense befriending, Makes the inward vision clear.
Glory let us give, and blessing To the Father and the Son; Honour, might, and praise addressing, While eternal ages run; Ever too his love confessing, Who, from both, with both is one. Amen.
-Hymn “Pange lingua”, written in Latin by St. Thomas Aquinas.
*”Pange lingua” is a medieval Eucharistic hymn composed by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi. It is also sung on Holy or Maundy Thursday during the deposition of the Blessed Sacrament in its place of repose where it is kept for adoration till Good Friday. The hymn expresses the doctrine that the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ during the celebration of the Eucharist.
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