Ave verum corpus

Source

A short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century and attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d 1362). During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host during the consecration. It was also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The text below is one of the four variants of the hymn that have come down to us.

Original text and translations

Latin text Ave, verum corpus natum
de Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.

English translation Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.

Dutch translation Gegroet Lichaam, geboren uit de Maagd Maria
Die voor de mensheid waarachtig geleden heeft
en aan het kruis geslagen is
Wiens zijde doorboord is,
waaruit bloed heeft gestroomd
Degene die voor ons de beproeving van de dood heeft gesmaakt

Settings by composers

CPDL (http://www.cpdl.org) has settings of this text by these composers:

• William Byrd
• Johan De Wael
• Josquin Des Prez
• Edward Elgar
• Gabriel Faure
• Charles Gounod
• Gregorian Chant
• Orlando di Lasso
• Franz Liszt
• Gonçalo Lourenço
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Francisco de Penalosa
• Lorenzo Perosi
• Peter Philips
• Camille Saint-Saëns
• Ludovico da Viadana
• Samuel Webbe

External links

IPASource (http://www.ipasource.com/Documents/Latin/main/): word-for-word translation with IPA pronunciation