| Contents | Verbum Supernum The Word of God |
CorpusChristi |
Verbum Supernum was written by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at the specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) when the Pope established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. It is used as a hymn at Lauds on Corpus Christi. The last two stanzas are used for the hymn O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim).
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| VERBUM supernum prodiens, nec Patris linquens dexteram, ad opus suum exiens, venit ad vitae vesperam. |
THE heavenly Word proceeding forth, yet not leaving the Father's side, went forth upon His work on earth and reached at length life's eventide. |
| In mortem a discipulo suis tradendus aemulis, prius in vitae ferculo se tradidit discipulis. |
By false disciple to be given to foemen for His Blood athirst, Himself, the living Bread from heaven, He gave to His disciples first. |
| Quibus sub bina specie carnem dedit et sanguinem; ut duplicis substantiae totum cibaret hominem. |
To them He gave, in twofold kind, His very Flesh, His very Blood: of twofold substance man is made, and He of man would be the Food. |
| Se nascens dedit socium, convescens in edulium, se moriens in pretium, se regnans dat in praemium. |
By birth our fellowman was He, our Food while seated at the board; He died, our ransomer to be; He ever reigns, our great reward. |
| O salutaris hostia, quae caeli pandis ostium, bella premunt hostilia; da robur, fer auxilium. |
O saving Victim, opening wide the gate of heaven to all below: our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. |
| Uni trinoque Domino sit sempiterna gloria: qui vitam sine termino nobis donet in patria. Amen. |
To Thy great Name be endless praise, immortal Godhead, One in Three! O grant us endless length of days in our true native land with Thee. Amen. |
| From the Liturgia Horarum. Translation by Neale, Caswall, and others. |
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