Tantum Ergo

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Tantum ergo are the opening words of the Vespers for Corpus Christi, also sung during veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. The song is actually the last two verses of Pange Lingua, a hymn written by St Thomas Aquinas. It is usually sung, though solemn recitation is sometimes done, and permitted.^[1]

1 Latin text
2 English translation
3 Exact Translation
4 References

[edit] Latin text

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.

V. Panem de caelis praestitisti eis.(T.P. Alleluja)
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.(T.P. Alleluja)

Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacramysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.

R. Amen.

[edit] English translation

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 Spirit proceeding

Forth from each eternally,

Be salvation, honor blessing,

Might and endless majesty.

Amen.

R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
V. Having within it all sweetness.

Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever.

R. Amen.

[edit] Exact Translation

Let us, with heads bowed [cernui]
Venerate so great a Sacrament,
And let the old practice [documentum] yield
To the new custom [ritui, which has religious connotations];
Let faith, that which may fill the gap [supplementum] stand forward, to
Supply the defect of the senses.

To the Begetter and the Begotten,
Be praise and jubilation,
Salutation [salus], honor, and moral excellence,
And blessing too,
And let equal praise be to Him,
Who proceeds from Both.

Amen.