Verbum Supernum
by Saint Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century
Verbum supernum prodiens
nec Patris linquens dexteram,
ad opus suum exiens,
venit ad vitae vesperam.The Word descending from above,
without leaving the right hand of his Father,
and going forth to do his work,
reached the evening of his life.)In mortem a discipulo
suis tradendus aemulis,
prius in vitae ferculo
se tradidit discipulis.
When about to be given over
to his enemies by one of his disciples,
to suffer death, he first gave himself
to his disciples as the bread of life.
Quibus sub bina specie
carnem dedit et sanguinem;
ut duplicis substantiae
totum cibaret hominem.Under a twofold appearance
he gave them his flesh and his blood;
that he might thus wholly feed us
made up of a twofold substance.Se nascens dedit socium,
convescens in edulium,
se moriens in pretium,
se regnans dat in praemium.By his birth he gave himself as our companion;
at the Last Supper he gave himself as our food;
dying on the cross he gave himself as our ransom;
reigning in heaven he gives himself as our reward.O salutaris hostia,
quae coeli pandis ostium,
bella premunt hostilia,
da robur, fer auxilium.O saving victim, who throws open
the gate of heaven,
the attacks of bitter enemies oppress us;
give us strength, bring us aid.Uni trinoque Domino
sit sempiterna gloria:
qui vitam sine termino
nobis donet in patria. Amen.
Eternal glory be to God,
one in three persons:
may he give us life forever
in our heavenly home. Amen.