English translation for
O Salutaris Hostia
O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to all us below:
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great Name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, One in Three!
O grant us endless length of days
With Thee in our true country.
Amen.
Click here for the Latin lyrics.
This is most commonly a Benediction hymn. While not mandatory, the Church nevertheless makes frequent use of it at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration, and Eucharistic processions. It is one of the most famous chants in existence.
It was written by St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor. He is known as the Common Doctor of the Church. His angelic purity and holiness brought him very close to God. He wrote the hymn Verbum Supernum Prodiens (of which O Salutaris Hostia is the last two stanzas) for the feast of Corpus Christi. He wrote several Eucharistic hymns, all of which are well-known and loved to this day for their beauty, piety, and solid expression of Catholic doctrine.
This is found on the following CD(s):
Chant Compendium 2.
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