Saturday, June 13, 2009

Litanies of the Most Blessed Sacrament

While not officially approved for public use, the customary Litanies of the Most Blessed Sacrament are quite old, and so far as I know first appear soon after the Council of Trent - from whose decrees several of the appellations of the Blessed Sacrament are taken; I would not be surprised if the good Fathers of the Society of Jesus gave it birth.  The sources appear to be about half from Holy Writ and half from Trent, Popes, Doctors, and Fathers.

Here is my transcription of it, with sources supplied where possible:

Litaniæ de Sanctissimo Sacramento (Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament)

Kyrie, eleison
R. Kyrie, eleison
Christe, eleison
R. Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison
R. Kyrie, eleison.


(Lord, have mercy
R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
R. Lord, have mercy.)

Christe, audi nos.
R. Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.
R. Christe, exaudi nos.


(Christ, hear us
R. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.)

Pater de cælis, Deus,
R. miserere nobis.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus,
R. miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sancte, Deus,
R. miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus,
R. miserere nobis.

(God the Father of Heaven,
R. have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
R. have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
R. have mercy on us.)


Joan 6:41b & 51 Ego sum panis vivus, qui de cælo descendi (& cf. vv.35,38)

I. 1. Panis vive, qui de cælo descendisti,
R. miserere nobis.

(Living Bread, who didst descend from heaven,
R. have mercy on us.)


Is 45:15 Vere tu es Deus absconditus, Deus Israël, salvator.

2. Deus absconditus et Salvator,
R. miserere nobis.


(Hidden God and Saviour,
R. have mercy on us.)


Zach 9:17 Quid enim bonum ejus est, et quid pulchrum ejus, nisi frumentum electorum, et vinum germinans virgines?

3. Frumentum electorum,
R. miserere nobis.

4.
Vinum germinans virgines,
R. miserere nobis.


(Grain of the elect,
R. have mercy on us.
Vine sprouting forth virgins,
R. have mercy on us.)


Gn 49:20 Aser, pinguis panis ejus, et præbebit delicias regibus.

5. Panis pinguis et deliciæ regum,
R. miserere nobis.


(Wholesome Bread and delicacy of kings,
R. have mercy on us.)


Dn 8:11-13 Et usque ad principem fortitudinis magnificatum est: et ab eo tulit juge sacrificium, et dejecit locum sanctificationis ejus. 
Robur autem datum est ei contra juge sacrificium propter peccata: et prosternetur veritas in terra, et faciet, et prosperabitur. 
Et audivi unum de sanctis loquentem: et dixit unus sanctus alteri nescio cui loquenti: Usquequo visio, et juge sacrificium, et peccatum desolationis quæ facta est: et sanctuarium, et fortitudo conculcabitur? 
Dn 11:31 Et brachia ex eo stabunt, et polluent sanctuarium fortitudinis, et auferent juge sacrificium: et dabunt abominationem in desolationem. 
Dn 12:11 Et a tempore cum ablatum fuerit juge sacrificium, et posita fuerit abominatio in desolationem, dies mille ducenti nonaginta. 

6.
Juge sacrificium,
R. miserere nobis.


(Perpetual sacrifice,
R. have mercy on us.)


Mal 1:11 Ab ortu enim solis usque ad occasum, magnum est nomen meum in gentibus, et in omni loco sacrificatur: et offertur nomini meo oblatio munda, quia magnum est nomen meum in gentibus, dicit Dominus exercituum.

7. Oblatio munda,
R. miserere nobis.


(Clean oblation,
R. have mercy on us.)


Ex 12:5 Erit autem agnus absque macula, masculus, anniculus: juxta quem ritum tolletis et hædum.

8. Agne absque macula,
R. miserere nobis.


(Lamb without spot,
R. have mercy on us.)


Lv 24:6 quorum senos altrinsecus super mensam purissimam coram Domino statues

9. Mensa purissima,
R. miserere nobis.


(Most pure Feast,
R. have mercy on us.)


Sap 16:20 Pro quibus angelorum esca nutrivisti populum tuum, et paratum panem de cælo præstitisti illis sine labore, omne delectamentum in se habentem, et omnis saporis suavitatem.

10. Angelorum esca,
R. miserere nobis.


(Food of angels,
R. have mercy on us.)


Apc 2:17 Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis: Vincenti dabo manna absconditum, et dabo illi calculum candidum: et in calculo nomen novum scriptum, quod nemo scit, nisi qui accipit.

11. Manna absconditum,
R. miserere nobis.


(Hidden manna,
R. have mercy on us.)


Ps 110:4 Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus.


12. Memoria mirabilium Dei,
R. miserere nobis.  

(Memory of God’s wonders,
R. have mercy on us.)


Mt 6:11 Panem nostrum supersubstantialem da nobis hodie

13. Panis supersubstantialis,
R. miserere nobis.
 

(Supersubstantial Bread,
R. have mercy on us.)


Jo 1:14 Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiæ et veritatis.

14. Verbum caro factum, habitans in nobis,
R. miserere nobis. 

(Word made flesh, living in us,
R. have mercy on us.)
 

Canon Romanus: …hostiam sanctam, hostiam puram, hostiam immaculatam…
Rom 12:1 Obsecro itaque vos, fratres, per misericordiam Dei, ut exhibeatis corpora vestra hostiam viventem, sanctam, Deo placentem, rationabile obsequium vestrum 

15. Hostia sancta,
R. miserere nobis.  

(Holy Victim,
R. have mercy on us.)


1Cor 10:16 Calix benedictionis, cui benedicimus, nonne communicatio sanguinis Christi est? et panis quem frangimus, nonne participatio corporis Domini est?

16. Calix benedictionis,
R. miserere nobis.


(Chalice of blessing,
R. have mercy on us.)


1Tim 3:9 habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura. 
Canon Romanus: …Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei, novi et æterni testamenti, mysterium fidei…

17. Mysterium fidei,
R. miserere nobis.


(Mystery of faith,
R. have mercy on us.)


Urban IV, Ep. encycl. Transiturus de hoc mundo, 11 Aug. 1264. (Denzinger 846) 
In institutione quidem huius sacramenti dixit ipse Apostolis: ‘Hoc facite in meam commemorationem’ (Lc 22, 19), ut praecipuum et insigne memoriale sui amoris eximii, quo nos dilexit, esset nobis hoc praecelsum et venerabile sacramentum
Concilium Tridentinum, Sessio XIII (11 Oct. 1551), Decretum de ss. Eucharistia, cap. 5. …præcelsum hoc et venerabile sacramentum…

18. Præcelsum et venerabile Sacramentum,
R. miserere nobis.


(Most high and venerable Sacrament,
R. have mercy on us.)


Concilium Tridentinum, Sessio XXII (17 Sept. 1562), Doctrina… de ss. Missæ sacrificio, cap. 4. …hoc omnium sanctissimum sacrificium…

19. Sacrificium omnium sanctissimum,
R. miserere nobis.  

(Most holy of all sacrifices,
R. have mercy on us.)


Concilium Tridentinum, Sessio XXII (17 Sept. 1562), Doctrina… de ss. Missæ sacrificio, cap. 2. [Sacrificium visibile esse propitiatorium pro vivis et defunctis.] …sacrificium istud vere propitiatorium esse… pro fidelium vivorum… et pro defunctis in Christo…
Can. 3. …Missæ sacrificium… propitiatorium… pro vivis et defunctis…

20. Sacrificium vere propitiatorium pro vivis et defunctis,
R. miserere nobis.


(True propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead,
R. have mercy on us.)

Concilium Tridentinum, Sessio XIII (11 Oct. 1551), Decretum de ss. Eucharistia, cap. 2. …antidotum, quo liberemur a culpis quotidianis et a peccatis mortalibus præservemur. …

21. Cæleste antidotum, quo a peccatis præservamur,
R. miserere nobis.

(Heavenly antidote, by which we are preserved from sin,
R. have mercy on us.)


[Source not yet discovered]

22. Stupendum supra omnia miraculum,
R. miserere nobis.


(Most stupendous of all miracles,
R. have mercy on us.)


(e.g.) St Thomas Aquinas, S.T., III, 83, 2, obj. 1: …commemoratio Dominicae passionis…

23. Sacratissima Dominicæ Passionis commemoratio,
R. miserere nobis.


(Most sacred Commemoration of the Passion of Christ,
R. have mercy on us.)


Urban IV, Ep. encycl. Transiturus de hoc mundo, 11 Aug. 1264.
... Transcendens omnem plenitudinem largitatis, omnem modum dilectionis excedens, attribuit se in cibum. O singularis et admiranda liberalitas, ubi donator venit in donum, et datum est idem penitus cum datore! ... (Denzinger 847)

24. Donum transcendens omnem plenitudinem,
R. miserere nobis.


(Gift transcending all abundance,
R. have mercy on us.)


Urban IV, Ep. encycl. Transiturus de hoc mundo, 11 Aug. 1264. (Denzinger 846)
In institutione quidem huius sacramenti dixit ipse Apostolis: ‘Hoc facite in meam commemorationem’ (Lc 22, 19), ut praecipuum et insigne memoriale sui amoris eximii, quo nos dilexit, esset nobis hoc praecelsum et venerabile sacramentum. ... 

25. Memoriale præcipuum divini amoris,
R. miserere nobis.


(Extraordinary memorial of divine love,
R. have mercy on us.)


Clemens V, Constitutio “Si Dominum” (1312) – quoted in: Pelbartus de Themeswar OFM († 1504), Pomerium de sanctis, Pars aestivalis, Sermo VI. De corpore Christi, Sermo secundus, scilicet de sacramenti huius amorositate et specierum eius ratione ac dulcore: … Unde in Clementina de reliquiis et veneratione sanctorum „Si Dominum” habetur sic: “O divini amoris immensitas, divinae pietatis superabundantia, divinae largitatis affluentia, dedit nobis omnia sub pedibus, angelicos spiritus ministros, volens adhuc exuberantem charitatem demonstrare, seipsum nobis exhibuit in cibum. O singularis et divina liberalitas, ubi donatio venit in donum, et datum est idem penitus cum datore.” …

26. Divinæ affluentia largitatis,
R. miserere nobis.

(Affluence of divine largesse,
R. have mercy on us.)


[Source not yet discovered]

27. Sacrosanctum et augustissimum mysterium,
R. miserere nobis.  

(Most holy and august mystery,
R. have mercy on us.)


Sir 6:16 Amicus fidelis medicamentum vitæ et immortalitatis: et qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.
Sanctus Ignatius Antiochenus, Epistula ad Ephesios, 20, 2: «unum panem (...) (frangimus), qui pharmacum immortalitatis est, antidotum, ne moriamur, sed vivamus semper in Jesu Christo»

28. Pharmacum immortalitatis,
R. miserere nobis.
 

(Medicine of immortality,
R. have mercy on us.)


[Source not yet discovered; Chrysostom and Cyril of Jerusalem used the term tremendum, or in the literal Greek "hair-raising", of the Sacrament]

29. Tremendum ac vivificum Sacramentum,
R. miserere nobis.  

(Awesome and life-giving Sacrament,
R. have mercy on us.)


Cf. Jn 1:14 & Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24.

30. Panis, omnipotentia Verbi, caro factus,
R. miserere nobis.


(Bread-made-Flesh by the omnipotence of the Word.
R. have mercy on us.)


(“Incruentum sacrificium” is a traditional term, especially in the Greek Fathers and Liturgies; according to Dix, it was first used by St Cyril of Jerusalem.)

31. Incruentum sacrificium,
R. miserere nobis.


(Unbloody sacrifice,
R. have mercy on us.)


St Peter Damian (1007-1072), Oratio LIX: … Haec est illa sublimis mensa, in qua Deus est et cibans et cibus, munerans et munus, offerens et oblatum, conviva et convivium. …
Auctor incertus – non est S. Bernardi, Sermo de excellentia ss. Sacramenti et dignitate Sacerdotum (PL 184, 0984B): Christus in coena illa munerans et munus; cibans et cibus; conviva et convivium; offerens et oblatio.

32. Cibus et conviva,
R. miserere nobis.


(Our food and guest,
R. have mercy on us.)


[Source not yet discovered]

33. Dulcissimum convivium, cui assistunt Angeli ministrantes,
R. miserere nobis.


(Sweetest banquet at which the Angels serve,
R. have mercy on us. )


Sanctus Augustinus, In Johannis evangelium tractatus, 26, 13: CCL 36, 266 (PL 35, 1613): O Sacramentum pietatis! o signum unitatis! o vinculum caritatis!
1Tim 3:16 Et manifeste magnum est pietatis sacramentum, quod manifestatum est in carne, justificatum est in spiritu, apparuit angelis, prædicatum est gentibus, creditum est in mundo, assumptum est in gloria.

34. Sacramentum pietatis,
R. miserere nobis.


(Sacrament of goodness,
R. have mercy on us.)


Sanctus Augustinus, In Johannis evangelium tractatus, 26, 13: CCL 36, 266 (PL 35, 1613): O Sacramentum pietatis! o signum unitatis! o vinculum caritatis!
Os 11:4 In funiculis Adam traham eos, in vinculis caritatis; et ero eis quasi exaltans jugum super maxillas eorum, et declinavi ad eum ut vesceretur.
Eph 4:3 solliciti servare unitatem Spiritus in vinculo pacis. 
Col 3:14 Super omnia autem hæc, caritatem habete, quod est vinculum perfectionis

35. Vinculum caritatis,
R. miserere nobis.


(Bond of love,
R. have mercy on us.)


Cf. Erasmus, tr. Liturgia S. Joannis Chrysostomi, Oratio quam secreto dicit, dum Cherubicus hymnus cantatur: …Tu enim es qui offers, et cui offeretur, et accipis et distribuis, Christe Deus noster…
S. Augustinus, Civitate Dei, X: …sacerdos ipse Christus offerens, ipse et oblatio, cuius rei sacramentum quotidianum esse voluit ecclesiae sacrificium. (Aquinas, S.T., III, 22, 3 ad 2)

36. Offerens et oblatio,
R. miserere nobis.


(Offerer and offering,
R. have mercy on us.)


St Thomas Aquinas, Officium corporis Christi “Sacerdos”: Suavitátem denique hujus Sacraménti nullus exprimere sufficit, per quod spiritualis dulcedo in suo fonte gustátur; et recolitur memória illíus, quam in sua passióne Christus monstrávit, excellentíssimæ caritátis.

37. Spiritualis dulcedo in proprio fonte degustata,
R. miserere nobis.
 

(Spiritual sweetness tasted in its own fountain,
R. have mercy on us.)


Oratio S. Bonaventurae, Transfige dulcissime Domine: … refectionem animarum sanctarum…

38. Refectio animarum sanctarum,
R. miserere nobis.


(Refreshment of holy souls,
R. have mercy on us.)


(Viaticum is a traditional term.)
Apc 14:13 Et audivi vocem de cælo, dicentem mihi: Scribe: Beati mortui qui in Domino moriuntur. Amodo jam dicit Spiritus, ut requiescant a laboribus suis: opera enim illorum sequuntur illos.

39. Viaticum in Domino morientium,
R. miserere nobis.
 
(Viaticum of those dying in the Lord,
R. have mercy on us.)


Aquinas, In Festo Corp. Christi, Aña. O sacrum convivium… et futuræ gloriæ nobis pignus datur.
Rom 8:18 Existimo enim quod non sunt condignæ passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam, quæ revelabitur in nobis.
Eph 1:14 qui est pignus hæreditatis nostræ, in redemptionem acquisitionis, in laudem gloriæ ipsius. 

40. Pignus futuræ gloriæ,
R. miserere nobis.


(Pledge of future glory,
R. have mercy on us.)

Propitius esto,
R. parce nobis, Domine.
Propitius esto,
R. exaudi nos, Domine.


(Be merciful,
R. spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
R. hear us, O Lord.)


1Cor 11:27 Itaque quicumque manducaverit panem hunc, vel biberit calicem Domini indigne, reus erit corporis et sanguinis Domini. 
1Cor 11:29 Qui enim manducat et bibit indigne, judicium sibi manducat et bibit, non dijudicans corpus Domini. 

II. 1. Ab indigna Corporis et Sanguinis tui susceptione,
R. libera nos, Domine.


(From the unworthy reception of thy Body and Blood,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)


1Jo 2:16 quoniam omne quod est in mundo, concupiscentia carnis est, et concupiscentia oculorum, et superbia vitæ: quæ non est ex Patre, sed ex mundo est. 

2. A concupiscentia carnis,
R. libera nos, Domine.

3.
A concupiscentia oculorum,
R. libera nos, Domine.

4.
A superbia vitæ,
R. libera nos, Domine.

(From passions of the flesh,
R. deliver us, O Lord.
From the concupiscence of the eyes,
R. deliver us, O Lord.
From pride,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

Rom 7:8 Occasione autem accepta, peccatum per mandatum operatum est in me omnem concupiscentiam. Sine lege enim peccatum mortuum erat. 
Rom 7:11 Nam peccatum occasione accepta per mandatum, seduxit me, et per illud occidit. 

5. Ab omni peccandi occasione,
R. libera nos, Domine.


(From every occasion of sin,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)


Lc 22:15 Et ait illis: Desiderio desideravi hoc pascha manducare vobiscum, antequam patiar.

III. 1. Per desiderium illud, quo hoc Pascha cum discipulis manducare desiderasti,
R. libera nos, Domine. 

(Through that desire, with which thou desiredst to eat the Passover with thy disciples,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

Cf. Jn 13:1-17

2. Per summam humilitatem, qua discipulorum pedes lavisti,
R. libera nos, Domine. 

(Through that profound humility with which thou didst wash thy disciples’ feet,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

[Exact sources not yet discovered]

3. Per ardentissimam caritatem, qua hoc divinum Sacramentum instituisti,
R. libera nos, Domine. 

(Through that most ardent love, with which thou didst institute this Divine Sacrament,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

4. Per Sanguinem tuum pretiosum, quem nobis in altari reliquisti,
R. libera nos, Domine. 

(Through thy precious Blood, which thou hast left for us upon the altar,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

5. Per quinque vulnera hujus tui Corporis sacratissimi, quæ pro nobis suscepisti,
R. libera nos, Domine. 

(Through the five wounds of this thy most sacred Body, which thou didst receive for us,
R. deliver us, O Lord.)

Peccatores,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(Sinners we are,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

[Sources not yet discovered]

IV. 1. Ut in nobis fidem, reverentiam et devotionem erga hoc admirabile Sacramentum augere et conservare digneris,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(That thou wouldst deign to preserve and augment in us faith, reverence, and devotion towards this admirable Sacrament,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

2. Ut ad frequentem usum Eucharistiæ per veram peccatorum confessionem nos perducere digneris,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(That thou wouldst deign to lead us to a frequent reception of the Eucharist by the true confession of our sins,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

3. Ut nos ab omni hæresi, perfidia ac cordis cæcitate liberare digneris,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(That thou wouldst deign to free us from every heresy, falsehood, and blindness of heart,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

4. Ut sanctissimi hujus Sacramenti pretiosos et cælestes fructus nobis impertiri digneris,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(That thou wouldst deign to impart to us the precious and heavenly fruits of this most Holy Sacrament,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

5. Ut in hora mortis nostræ hoc cælesti viatico nos confortare et munire digneris,
R. te rogamus, audi nos. 

(That thou wouldst deign to protect and strengthen us at the hour of our death with this heavenly viaticum,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

Fili Dei,
R. te rogamus, audi nos.


(Son of God,
R. we ask thee, hear us.)

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. parce nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. exaudi nos, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. miserere nobis.


(Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us.)


Christe, audi nos.
R. Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.
R. Christe, exaudi nos.


(Christ, hear us
R. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.)

Kyrie, eleison
R. Kyrie, eleison
Christe, eleison
R. Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison
R. Kyrie, eleison.


(Lord, have mercy
R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
R. Lord, have mercy.)


Pater noster...

(Our Father...)

******

Ave Maria...

(Hail Mary...)

OR

Office of Corpus Christi

[Aña. O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur, recolitur memoria passionis ejus, mens impletur gratia, et futuræ gloriæ nobis pignus datur. (T.P. Alleluja.)]

[(Ant. O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and we are given a pledge of future glory. (P.T. Alleluia.))]

******

Office of Corpus Christi
Sap 16:20 Pro quibus angelorum esca nutrivisti populum tuum, et paratum panem de cælo præstitisti illis sine labore, omne delectamentum in se habentem, et omnis saporis suavitatem.

V. Panem de cælo præstitisti eis. (T.P. Alleluja.)
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem. (T.P. Alleluja.)


(V. Thou hast given them Bread from heaven, (P.T. Alleluia.)
R. Having in itself every delight. (P.T. Alleluia.))


Office of Corpus Christi

Oremus.

Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili Passionis tuæ memoriam reliquisti; tribue quæsumus, ita nos Corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuæ fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum. R. Amen. 

(Let us pray.

(O God, who under a marvelous Sacrament hast left us a memorial of thy Passion; grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within us the fruit of thy Redemption. Who livest and reignest world without end. R. Amen.)

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