Panis Angelicus

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Panis Angelicus is one of three hymn texts written by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi as part of a complete liturgy of the Feast including prayers for the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. The other two hymn texts written by Aquinas for the Feast are O Salutaris Hostia and Tantum Ergo.

In 1872, César Franck set the hymn for tenor, organ, harp, cello and double bass; arranged for tenor, chorus and orchestra, he incorporated it into his Messe Solonnelle. It has been sung effectively by Luciano Pavarotti and by Charlotte Church, and John McCormack's 1932 performance in Dublin's Phoenix Park was considered the highlight of his career.

[edit] Lyrics

Latin text	English translation
Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; Dat panis caelicus figuris terminum: O res mirabilis! manducat Dominum Pauper, servus, et humilis. Te trina Deitas unaque poscimus: Sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus; Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, Ad lucem quam inhabitas. Amen.	Bread of Angels, become the bread of men; The Bread of heaven ends all prefigurations: What wonder! who consumes the Lord but a poor and humble servant. We beg of You, God, One in Three that you visit us, as we worship You. By your ways, lead us who seek the light in which You dwell. Amen.

[edit] External links

• Gregorian Chants
• Panis Angelicus