Tantum Ergo

As this Sunday, we celebrated the 1 class Feast of Corpus Christi, below I have attached a most beautiful renditions in two versions of Saint Thomas' Tantum Ergo. This, which is usually sung at Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, is the last two verses of Pange Lingua.



The Latin original text is especially beautiful:

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.Amen.

An English translation may be rendered thus:

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.

Before our senses appear a mere piece of bread, yet It contains an inexhaustable trove of treasures. Surrounding the Sacred Host, countless angels prostrate themselves before their Lord and Creator, and man, sinner as he is, under a veil gazes on his Redeemer. Let us place our hopes in our Eucharistic Lord, who through His ineffable goodness has humbled Himself once more to take His place on our Altars for our benefit and for the Glory of the Blessed and Undivided Trinity. If only we were to know the mercy of God in this Sacrament, we would tarry no longer, languishing in worthless pursuits but would kneel before in adoration our Crucified Messiah.

Saint Josemaria Escriva wrote:

''When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.''