Corpus Christi, the Beautiful Reality

[Catholica]

Yesterday we celebrated (moved from last Thursday) the feast of Corpus Christi, the feast of the body of Christ.  And today I was treated to this wonderful homily from Fr. Robert Barron.  I hope you will enjoy it.

http://c275449.r49.cf1.rackcdn.com/385.mp3

Here are the words to Pange Lingua, and their 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 jubilatio,
    salus, honor, virtus quoque
    sit et benedictio:
    Procedenti ab utroque
    compar sit laudatio.

    Amen. Alleluja.

Translated:

    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.

    Of a pure and spotless Virgin
    born for us on earth below,
    He, as Man, with man conversing,
    stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
    then He closed in solemn order
    wondrously His life of woe.

    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.
   
    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.

    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 senses fail.

    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.

Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium

More by Fr. Barron on the Eucharist:

Fr. Barron on the Mystery of Eating Jesus' Flesh

Fr. Barron comments on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist