The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Part 15

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Thee prostrate I adore (Adoro Te devote)

St. Thomas Aquinas Translated by Father Aylward, O. P.

Nicola A. Montani

Moderato devoto

1.

Thee prostrate I adore, The Deity that lies Beneath these humble veils, Concealed from human eyes; My heart doth wholly yield, Subjected to Thy sway, For contemplating Thee it wholly faints away.

Chorus Hail, Jesus, hail; do Thou, Good Shepherd of the sheep, Increase in all true hearts the faith they fondly keep.

2.

The sight, the touch, the taste, In Thee are here deceived; But by the ear alone this truth is safe believed; I hold whate'er the Son of G.o.d hath said to me; Than this blest word of truth no word can truer be,

3.

I see not with mine eyes, Thy Wounds, as Thomas saw; Yet own Thee for my G.o.d with equal love and awe; Oh grant me, that my faith may ever firmer be, That all my hope and love may still repose in Thee.

4.

Memorial sweet, that shows the death of my dear Lord; Thou living bread, that life dost unto man afford; Oh grant, that this my soul may ever live on Thee, That Thou mayst evermore its only sweetness be.

Copyright 1920 by N. A. M.

Page 73-74

No. 49

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Jesus, gentlest Saviour

Thanksgiving after Communion For additional Communion Hymns See Nos. 41, 44, 51, 54, 128 to 131.

Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Andante semplice

1.

Jesus, gentlest Saviour!

G.o.d of might and pow'r!

Thou Thyself art dwelling In us at this hour.

Nature cannot hold Thee, Heav'ns is all too strait For Thine endless glory And Thy royal state.

2.

Out beyond the s.h.i.+ning Of the furthest star, Thou art ever stretching Infinitely far.

Yet the hearts of children Hold what words cannot, And the G.o.d of wonders Loves the lowly spot.

3.

Oh, how can we thank Thee For a gift like this, Gift that truly maketh Heav'ns eternal bliss!

Ah! When wilt Thou always Make our hearts Thy home?

We must wait for heaven Then the day will come.

4.

Now at least we'll keep Thee All the time we may; But Thy grace and blessing We will keep alway.

When our hearts Thou leavest Worthless tho' they be, Give them to Thy Mother To be kept for Thee.

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No. 50

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Word, descending from above Verb.u.m supernum prodiens

St. Thomas Aquinas Translated by the Rev. E. Caswall Nicola A. Montani

Non troppo lento

1.

The Word descending from above, Though with the Father still on high, Went forth upon His work of love; And soon to life's last eve drew nigh.

2.

He shortly to a death accursed By a disciple shall be giv'n; But, to His twelve disciples, first He gives Himself, the Bread of Heav'n.

3.

Himself in either kind He gave; He gave His Flesh, He gave His Blood; Of flesh and blood all men are made; And He of man would be the Food.

4.

At birth our brother He became; At meat Himself as food He gives; To ransom us He died in shame; As our reward, in bliss He lives.

5.

O saving victim open wide The gate of Heav'n to man below!

Sore press our foes from ev'ry side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

6.

To Thy great Name be endless praise, Immortal G.o.dhead, One in Three!

Oh, grant us endless length of days, In out true native land, with Thee.

Copyright 1920 by N. A. M.

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