O Salutaris Hostia, Ēriks Ešenvalds

O Salutaris Hostia is a moving tribute to our Lord, a wonderful hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas (pictured below), the preeminent theologian and Doctor of the Church, in the 13th century. Saint Thomas composed its text for the feast of Corpus Christi, which was established by the Church in 1264 to honor our Lord in the Eucharist.

It actually comprises the last two stanzas of a larger hymn that Saint Thomas wrote about our Lord’s institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper and His Passion. It is often sung during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as part of what is known as a liturgical service of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction.

O salutaris Hostia,

Quae caeli pandis ostium: 

Bella premunt hostilia,

Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque Domino 

Sit sempiterna gloria,

Qui vitam sine termino 

Nobis donet in patria.

Amen.

O saving Victim, opening wide,

The gate of heaven to man below!

Our foes press on from every side;

Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.

To Thy great name by endless praise,

Immortal Godhead, one in Three;

Oh, grant us endless length of days,

In our true native land with Thee.

Amen