Tantum Ergo

I spent a tranquil, restorative hour at Adoration this evening.


Down in adoration falling

Here is one of the traditional hymns of Eucharistic Adoration, written in 1264 by St. Thomas Aquinas at the request of Pope Urban IV, in celebration of the newly inaugurated Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ.

Tantum Ergo

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+

Down in Adoration Falling

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+