Dear Friends,
We continue to reflect on the awesome gift of the Real and True Presence of Jesus our Savior in the Holy Eucharist. This Presence has been sung about over the centuries in some of our classic Eucharistic hymns. In another age, I grew up with them and still sing them in the shower!
They all revolve around the Magnum Misterium, (the great mystery), an ancient Christmas Carol the sings about the great mystery of God becoming a man in Jesus Who lives among us and leaves us His Body and Blood. I think “Great” is an understatement.
Ave Verum Corpus, a Eucharistic hymnfrom the 13th century hails the true body born of Mary the Virgin. It is He whose Body on the Cross was pierced by a lance. Of course, meaning the true Body of Jesus in the Eucharist.
O Sacrum Convivium, attributed probably to St. Thomas Aquinas, (+1274) sings of the Sacred Banquet in which Christ is consumed. His Passion is again brought mind and the mind is filled with grace and future glory.
Adoro Te Devote was written in 1264, again by St. Thomas Aquinas, for the newly established feast of Corpus Christi. It reminds us that we simply believe in the hidden presence of Jesus under the signs of bread and wine because we believe whatever He said.
Panis Angelicus, a favorite both for weddings and funerals, also written by St. Thomas Aquinas, is the next to the last verse of a longer hymn (Sacris Sollemniis). A very poetic translation: “Thus, Angels’ Bread is made the Bread of man today: the Living Bread from heaven with figures dost away: O wondrous gift indeed! the poor and lowly may upon their Lord and Master feed.”
And so many more (I’ve run out of space) including O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo traditionally sung at Benediction. They are in the pew book.
A wonderful musical heritage acclaiming and professing faith in the Real Presence over the centuries. A GREAT Mystery indeed! Huge!
(For a reverent prayerful listen, you’ll find them all online.)
Blessings, Fr. Schuessler
Saint James Catholic Church 