If you’re used to Eucharistic adoration and benediction, you probably know that there are two Latin hymns which we Catholics normally sing: O Salutaris Hostia when the Blessed Sacrament in the beginning, and Tantum Ergo at the end. The Tantum Ergo is relatively famous (I mean, as Latin Medieval hymns go): it’s the last two verses of the Pange Lingua, a hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi. It shows a different side to Aquinas: we’re used to thinking of him as a theologian, and (given that most of our exposure to him is through the Summa Theologiae, a theological text book), he’s often thought of as a dry teacher. The aching beauty of the Pange Lingua corrects that characterization.
But do you know where O Salutaris Hostia comes from?
I didn’t, despite praying it numerous times. It turns out, it’s part of another Eucharistic hymn written by St. Thomas. There were actually five hymns that he wrote for the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Pange Lingua and Panis Angelicum being the two most famous (if you’re never heard the latter, here’s Andrea Bocelli’s rendition).
But O Salutaris Hostia actually comes from a lesser-known hymn by St. Thomas called Verbum Supernum. I’ve decided to share the whole hymn, to show how Aquinas’ theological brilliance was integrally connected with his musical gifts and to remind us that we don’t need to settle for theological “fluff” in Catholic hymnody. Remember that the setting is Corpus Christi, in which we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. The last two verses are what we now know as the O Salutaris Hostia. This is the English translation; you can listen to the Latin here:
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.
By false disciple to be given
to foemen for His Blood athirst,
Himself, the living Bread from heaven,
He gave to His disciples first.
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.
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 saving Victim, opening wide
the gate of heaven to all below:
our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
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.
Over at the Podcast: this past Monday, Chloe sat down with Dr. Troy Hinkel to talk about the Divine Mercy Image. In three days, our next episode will release: The Physical Case for the Shroud of Turin, with my friend and coworker Sebastian D’Amico sharing a lot of details you probably don’t know about the Shroud.
Such great poetry!