Panis Angelicus – Eucharistic Gregorian Chant

Another of the great Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas’ hymns of the Holy Eucharist, the flesh and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As should be with all Christians, the Eucharist was a central focus of Aquinas’ life. The Latin text and English translation follow:

Panis angelicus fit panis hominum;
Dat panis coelicus figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis! Manducat Dominum
Pauper, servus et humilis.

Te trina Deitas unaque poscimus:
Sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus;
Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus,
Ad lucem quam inhabitas. Amen.

The angelic bread becomes the bread of men;
The heavenly bread ends all prefigurations:
What wonder! The Lord is eaten by a poor and humble servant.

Triune God, we beg of you: visit us, just as we worship you.
By your ways, lead us where we are heading, to the light in which you dwell. Amen.