Animi Christi Prayer

Soul of Chris, santify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds conceal me. Do not permit me to be parted from you. From the evil foe protect me. At the hour of my death call me. And bid me come to you, to praise you with all your saints for ever and ever. Amen. Stanislaus Kostk pray for us!

Our world is hurting; yet, amid our fallen world, Christ is present. Jesus radically tells us in John 6:41 that “the bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Revival is a grassroots effort to bring this radical, life-giving promise to the world, inspiring a “movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”

We are now in the Year of Parish Revival, fostering “Eucharistic devotion at the parish level, strengthening our liturgical life through faithful celebration of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, missions, resources, preaching, and organic movements of the Holy Spirit.” This will lead into in the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in almost fifty years from July 17-21, 2024 in Indianapolis, which will be followed by a year of going out on mission “for the life of the world.” 

Resources and Pilgrimage

God longs to go deeper with you. As you pilgrimage through this Year of Parish Revival, you are invited to download a pilgrimage passport to help keep you accountable as you journey deeper with Jesus.

After you complete six or more activities, bring your passport to Divine Mercy Gifts in South Bend or Good Shepherd Books & Gifts in Fort Wayne to receive a free gift.

Hymn for July 2023: Tantum Ergo

BACKGROUND TO HYMN 

The famous eucharistic hymn, Tantum Ergo, is really only the last two verses of a larger eucharistic hymn titled, Pange Lingua, by the famous medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas. In 1264 Pope Urban IV was inspired by the Holy Spirit to establish the Feast of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ) in the universal Church. To prepare for this promulgation, he asked St. Thomas Aquinas to write a hymn in honor of the great Mystery of the Eucharist. Hence the first lines of the hymn begin the Ode to the Eucharist in perfect form: Pange, lingua, gloriosi / corporis mysterium / sanguinisque pretiosi... (Sing, tongue, the mystery of the glorious body, and of the precious blood...).

After several stanzas recalling the mystery of the Holy Eucharist and its institution, the second-to-last verse begins as a sort of finale conclusion: Tantum ergo sacramentum / veneremur cernui (Therefore, so great a sacrament / let us venerate with bowed heads). The final verse is a doxology of praise to the Most Holy Trinity.

TRANSLATION

The Tantum Ergo is found in translation in almost any Catholic hymn book, especially wherever they have the prayers for eucharistic adoration and solemn benediction. Usually it is titled in English: Down in Adoration Falling. The following is a very literal translation of the Latin into English:

PRIMARY THEME

The primary theme of the whole Pange Lingua hymn is the mystery of Transubstantiation – the changing of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ – at the Last Supper, the culminating act of his Saving Life: Cibum turbae duodenae / Se dat suis manibus (As food to the crowd of Twelve, He gives Himself with his own hands).

Perhaps the most awesomely worded and profoundly succinct verse says it best: Verbum caro, panem verum / verbo carnem, efficit... (The Word made flesh makes true bread flesh by a word...). It is the marvel of this mystery that leads into the famous last two verses: Tantum ergo... “Therefore, so great a sacrament, let us venerate with heads bowed low” (some translate “let us venerate, prostrate...”). It is, therefore, a pious tradition to bow profoundly at the words “veneremur cernui”.

SECONDARY THEOLOGICAL POINTS

The theme of Jesus fulfilling the Old Law and ushering in the New Covenant is prominent in the first stanza of the Tantum Ergo. Hence it says: “Let the ancient instruction give way to the new rite.” In an earlier verse of the Pange Lingua it is wonderfully put: Observata lege plene / Cibus in legalibus / Cibum turbae duodenae / Se dat suis manibus. {With the Law [of Passover] having been fully observed / by foods prescribed in the laws [unleavened bread, etc.] / As food to the crowd of Twelve / He gives Himself with his own hands.} This great hymn is fittingly sung on Holy Thursday and, of course, on the Feast of Corpus Christi. In fact, a plenary indulgence is attached to the reverent public recitation (singing) of the last two verses (Tantum Ergo) of this hymn at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and at the Feast of Corpus Christi (granted the other conditions are fulfilled).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES 

Exodus 12 - Passover prescriptions of the Old Law

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22,

and 1 Corinthians 11 - Accounts of the Last Supper

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 

1. What phrases in the text stand out for me?

2. How does bodily posture affect my mindset in prayer?

3. Do I pray bodily? Have I ever prostrated myself in prayer to God?

4. St. Thomas emphasized faith as the only access point to the mystery of the Holy Eucharist – would I behave toward the Eucharist differently if I could see the Lord Jesus Christ himself?

5. How can the text of this song help me to encounter Christ?

6. How is this prayer-hymn different from a petition prayer asking God for something? Do I ever pray for other motives than petition?

VOCABULARY

Venerate - to pay honor

Supplement - something that completes or enhances something else when added to it

Defect of the senses - the limits of our ability to see, hear, smell, taste and feel

Begetter and begotten – the one who brings into existence and the one who has been brought Salutation - an act of honor or courteous recognition