Tonight's Recessional Hymn

All four Gospels state Jesus and His disciples left the Upper Room after completing the Passover Supper (Matt. 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:39, John 18:1). As the Blessed Sacrament is to be taken to the Altar of Repose, we follow Him as well, singing a hymn of praise, either the one written by St. Thomas Aquinas or its English translation:

Pange, lingua, gloriosi

corporis mysterium,

sanguinisque pretiosi,

quem in mundi pretium

fructus ventris generosi

rex effudit gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus

ex intacta Virgine,

et in mundo conversatus,

sparso verbi semine,

sui moras incolatus

miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte coenae

recumbens cum fratribus,

observata lege plene

cibis in legalibus,

cibum turbae duodenae

se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro panem verum

verbo carnem efficit,

fitque sanguis Christi merum;

et si sensus deficit,

ad firmandum cor sincerum

sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo sacramentum

veneremur cernui,

et antiquum documentum

novo cedat ritui,

praestet fides supplementum

sensuum defectui.

Genitori Genitoque,

laus et iubilatio,

salus, honor, virtus quoque

sit et benedictio.

Procedenti ab utroque

compar sit laudatio.

Amen.

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1. Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory,

Of His flesh the mystery sing,

Of the blood, all price exceeding,

Shed by our immortal king,

Destined, for the world’s redemption,

From a noble womb to spring.

2. Of a pure and spotless virgin,

Born for us, His love to show,

He, as man, with man conversing,

Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;

Then He closed in wondrous fashion,

This His life on earth below.

3. On the night of that last supper,

Seated with His chosen band,

He, the paschal victim eating,

First fulfills the law’s command;

Then as food to all His brethren

Gives Himself with His own hand.

4. Christ, the Word made flesh, by speaking,

Earthly bread to flesh He turns;

Wine becomes His blood so precious—

Unconceived in human terms!

Hearts sincere perceive this marvel;

Faith its lessons quickly learns.

5. Down in adoration falling,

This great sacrament we hail;

Over ancient forms of worship

Newer rites of grace prevail;

Faith tells us that Christ is present

When our human senses fail.

6. To the everlasting Father,

And the Son who made us free,

And the Spirit, God proceeding,

From them each eternally,

Be salvation, honor, blessing,

Might and endless majesty.

Amen.