AN ACT OF WORSHIP

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an act of worship for the individual to deepen one’s faith according to one’s needs. And so, there have been many hymns and prayers composed to assist in achieving that end.

Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 (Silent Adoration in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, within the Basilica)

Many hymns and prayers have been dedicated to the Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Among them, we offer you below the text of the well-known Panis Angelicus, one of the liturgical hymns written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the feast of Corpus Christi (or more technically, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ).

Panis Angelicus

English

Bread of angels becomes
food for people.
The bread come down from heaven
no longer has need of symbolic images.
What an awe-inspiring thing! —
even a poor, humble servant
can partake of his Lord.

You, O Godhead,
Three in One, we implore:
may you remain with us
as we now worship you.
Lead us in your pathways,
toward that for which we are striving:
the light wherein you dwell.
Amen

Latin

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

Set to music by César Franck, this outstanding composition has given birth to many interpretations.

May you be enchanted (or re-enchanted) with this one by Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal boys’ choir.

Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal : Panis Angelicus