Lauda Sion
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Lauda Sion Salvatorem is a sequence prescribed for the Roman Catholic Mass of Corpus Christi. It was written by St. Thomas Aquinas around 1264, at the request of Pope Urban IV for the new Mass of this Feast, along with Pange lingua, Sacris solemniis, and Verbum supernum, which are used in the Divine Office. The hymn tells of the institution of the Eucharist and clearly expresses the Catholic belief in transubstantiation. As with St. Thomas' other three Eucharistic hymns, the last few stanzas are often used alone, in this case, the "Ecce panis Angelorum".
Lauda Sion is one of only four medieval Sequences which were preserved in the Missale Romanum published in 1570 following the Council of Trent (1545-63). Before Trent many feasts had their own sequences.[1] It is still sung today.
[edit] Latin text and English version
Lauda Sion Salvatórem Sion, lift up thy voice and sing:
Lauda ducem et pastórem Praise thy Savior and thy King,
In hymnis et cánticis. Praise with hymns thy shepherd true.
Quantum potes, tantum aude: All thou canst, do thou endeavour:
Quia major omni laude, Yet thy praise can equal never
Nec laudáre súfficis. Such as merits thy great King.
Laudis thema speciális, See today before us laid
Panis vivus et vitális, The living and life-giving Bread,
Hódie propónitur. Theme for praise and joy profound.
Quem in sacræ mensa cœnæ, The same which at the sacred board
Turbæ fratrum duodénæ Was, by our incarnate Lord,
Datum non ambígitur. Giv'n to His Apostles round.
Sit laus plena, sit sonóra, Let the praise be loud and high:
Sit jucúnda, sit decóra Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Mentis jubilátio. Felt today in every breast.
Dies enim solémnis ágitur, On this festival divine
In qua mensæ prima recólitur Which records the origin
Hujus institútio. Of the glorious Eucharist.
In hac mensa novi Regis, On this table of the King,
Novum Pascha novæ legis, Our new Paschal offering
Phase vetus términat. Brings to end the olden rite.
Vetustátem nóvitas, Here, for empty shadows fled,
Umbram fugat véritas, Is reality instead,
Noctem lux elíminat. Here, instead of darkness, light.
Quod in cœna Christus gessit, His own act, at supper seated
Faciéndum hoc expréssit Christ ordain'd to be repeated
In sui memóriam. In His memory divine;
Docti sacris institútis, Wherefore now, with adoration,
Panem, vinum, in salútis We, the host of our salvation,
Consecrámus hóstiam. Consecrate from bread and wine.
Dogma datur Christiánis, Hear, what holy Church maintaineth,
Quod in carnem transit panis, That the bread its substance changeth
Et vinum in sánguinem. Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
Quod non capis, quod non vides, Doth it pass thy comprehending?
Animósa firmat fides, Faith, the law of sight transcending
Præter rerum ordinem. Leaps to things not understood.
Sub divérsis speciébus, Here beneath these signs are hidden
Signis tantum, et non rebus, Priceless things, to sense forbidden,
Latent res exímiæ. Signs, not things, are all we see.
Caro cibus, sanguis potus: Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine,
Manet tamen Christus totus, Yet is Christ in either sign,
Sub utráque spécie. All entire, confessed to be.
A suménte non concísus, They, who of Him here partake,
Non confráctus, non divísus: Sever not, nor rend, nor break:
Integer accípitur. But, entire, their Lord receive.
Sumit unus, sumunt mille: Whether one or thousands eat:
Quantum isti, tantum ille: All receive the self-same meat:
Nec sumptus consúmitur. Nor the less for others leave.
Sumunt boni, sumunt Mali: Both the wicked and the good
Sorte tamen inæquáli, Eat of this celestial Food:
Vitæ vel intéritus. But with ends how opposite!
Mors est malis, vita bonis: Here 't is life: and there 't is death:
Vide paris sumptiónis The same, yet issuing to each
Quam sit dispar éxitus. In a difference infinite.
Fracto demum Sacraménto, Nor a single doubt retain,
Ne vacílles, sed memento, When they break the Host in twain,
Tantum esse sub fragménto, But that in each part remains
Quantum toto tégitur. What was in the whole before.
Nulla rei fit scissúra: Since the simple sign alone
Signi tantum fit fractúra: Suffers change in state or form:
Qua nec status nec statúra The signified remaining one
Signáti minúitur. And the same for evermore.
Ecce panis Angelórum, Lo! bread of the Angels broken,
Factus cibus viatórum: For us pilgrims food, and token
Vere panis fíliórum, Of the promise by Christ spoken,
Non mittendus cánibus. Children’s meat, to dogs denied.
In figúris præsignátur, Shewn in Isaac's dedication,
Cum Isaac immolátur: In the manna's preparation:
Agnus paschæ deputátur In the Paschal immolation,
Datur manna pátribus. In old types pre-signified.
Bone pastor, panis vere, Jesu, shepherd of the sheep:
Jesu, nostri miserére: Thou thy flock in safety keep,
Tu nos pasce, nos tuére: Living bread, thy life supply:
Tu nos bona fac vidére Strengthen us, or else we die,
In terra vivéntium. Fill us with celestial grace.
Tu, qui cuncta scis et vales: Thou, who feedest us below:
Qui nos pascis hic mortales: Source of all we have or know:
Tuos ibi commensáles, Grant that with Thy Saints above,
Cohærédes et sodales, Sitting at the feast of love,
Fac sanctórum cívium. Amen. Allelúja. We may see Thee face to face. Amen. Alleluia.
[edit] External links
- H.T. Henry. Lauda Sion, in the Catholic Encyclopedia (1917)
