CORPUS CHRISTI PRAYERS

Spirituality takes many forms. Throughout the year, we share various expressions from the heart of Catholic prayer and tradition. More than 700 years ago, Pope Urban IV established the feast of Corpus Christi to celebrate the gift and mystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This feast is a reminder that in receiving the Eucharist, we make a pledge to give ourselves in love and service to our brothers and sisters.

The Bible | Scripture Reading Tips | Mass Readings

PANGE LINGUA

Composed by St. Thomas Aquinas especially for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Pange Lungua (Sing, My Tongue) is considered one of the great seven hymns of the Church. The hymn can also be heard on Holy Thursday. The final two stanzas of the Pange Lingua are referred to as the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling), used in the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Hail our Savior’s glorious Body, which his virgin Mother bore;
Hail the Blood which, shed for sinners, did a broken world restore;
Hail the sacrament most holy,
Flesh and Blood of Christ adore!

Come, adore the wondrous presence; Bow to Christ, the source of grace!
Here is kept the ancient promise of God’s earthly dwelling place!
Sight is blind before God’s glory,
Faith alone may see his face.

Glory be to God the Father,
Praise to his coequal Spirit,
Bond of love in Godhead one!
Blest be God by all creation,
Joyously while ages run.

In supremae nocte cenae recumbens cum fratribus observata lege plene cibis in legalibus, cibum turbae duodenae se dat suis manibus.	On the night of that Last Supper, seated with His chosen band, He the Pascal victim eating, first fulfills the Law's command; then as Food to His Apostles gives Himself with His own hand.
Verbum caro, panem verum verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum, et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sincerum sola fides sufficit.	Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature by His word to Flesh He turns; wine into His Blood He changes;- what though sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.	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 sense fail.
Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen. Alleluia.	To the everlasting Father, and the Son who reigns on high, with the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from Each eternally, be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty. Amen. Alleluia.

From Liturgia Horarum. Tr. Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878).

ANIMA CHRISTI

Written around the fourteenth century, the Anima Christi is still prayed by many Catholics after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, heal me.
Blood of Christ, drench me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me.

In your wounds, shelter me.
From turning away keep me,
From the evil one protect me,
At the hour of my death call me,
Into your presence lead me,
to praise you with all your saints for ever and ever,
Amen.