Ave verum Corpus natum

Hail, true Body, truly born

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Ave verum Corpus natum
De Maria Virgine,
Vere passum, immolatum
       In cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforatum
       Unda fluxit et sanguine,
Esto nobis prægustatum
       Mortis in examine.
O clemens, O pie,
       O dulcis Jesu, Fili Mariæ.

Hail, true Body, truly born
Of the Virgin Mary mild,
Truly offered, racked and torn,
On the Cross, for man defiled,
From whose love-pierced, sacred side
Flowed Thy true Blood’s saving tide:
Be a foretaste sweet to me
In my death’s great agony,
O Thou loving, gentle One,
Sweetest Jesus, Mary’s Son.

Author: Probably by Pope Innocent VI (d. 1362). Meter: Trochaic tetrameter catalectic. Translation by Father Edward F. Garesché, S.J. There are about ten translations. This beautiful little hymn was formerly sung at the Elevation of the Host in Mass. It is not found in the Breviary or Missal. The Latin texts differ slightly.

“Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, which truly suffered and was immolated on the Cross for man; whose pierced side streamed with Water and with Blood. Be Thou to us a foretaste (of heaven) when we are in the agony of death. O clement, O loving, O sweet Jesus, Son of Mary.”