Sacris Solemnis
by Saint Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century
Sacris solemnis juncta sint gaudia,
et ex praecordiis sonent praeconia;
recedant vetera, nova sint omnia,
corda, voces, et opera.With these sacred and solemn rites,
let our joy be blended, and
let the songs of praise resound
from our inmost heart;
let ancient symbols depart,
let everything be new,
our hearts, our voices, and our works.Noctis recolitur coena novissima,
qua Christus creditur agnum et azyma
dedisse fratribus, juxta legitima
priscis indulta patribus.
We now recall to mind
the night and the Last Supper,
during which we believe that
Christ gave to his brothers
the lamb and the unleavened bread,
according to the rites prescribed to the ancient fathers.Post agnum typicum, expletis epulis,
corpus Dominicum datum discipulis,
sic totum omnibus quod totum singulis,
ejus fatemur manibus.
After the symbolic lamb was consumed
and the meal ended,
the Lord with his own hands, as we profess,
gave his body to his disciples,
entire to all, entire to each one.Dedit fragilibus corporis ferculum,
dedit et tristibus sanguinis proculum,
dicens: accipite quod trado vasculum,
omnes ex eo bibite.They were weak,
and he gave them his body as food;
they were sad,
and he gave them the chalice of his blood, saying:
"Receive this cup which I offer you,
and all of you drink of it."Sic sacrificium istud instituit,
cujus officium committi voluit
solis presbyteris, quibus sic congruit
ut sumant, et dent ceteris.
Thus he instituted this sacrifice,
and entrusted it to the care
of his priests alone, whose office it is
to eat the sacred food,
and to give it to others.Panis angelicus fit panis hominum:
dat panis coelicus figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis, manducat Dominum
pauper, servus, et humilis.
The bread of bngels becomes the bread of men;
the bread from heaven does away with figures:
O wondrous thing,
the poor, the servant, and the lowly
eat their Lord.
Te trina Deitas unaque poscimus,
sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus:
per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus,
ad lucem quam inhabitas.O God, one substance in three Persons,
we beseech you, come to visit us, as we adore you:
guide us on your paths whither
we direct our course,
to the light wherein you do dwell.