Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Jesu Dulcis Memoria

After Mass this evening, on the way home, I was moved to sing that great hymn in honour of the Holy Name, Jesu dulcis memoria - it is so apt an illustration of the feelings arising in the soul communicated with the blissful Sacrament of His Body and Blood. I much recommend its use at Communion...

Earlier, I'd stopt by to visit an old retired priest I know, to wish him an early happy Christmas, bringing him a little gift, to have a chat, and later to receive his ghostly counsel in Confession. It's impressive to me, and a perceptible confirmation of his priestly character undimmed by age and ill-health, how his quavery voice becomes firm and sure when he administers the Sacrament of Penance.

Another very good day, because blessed by the worship of Almighty God.

3 comments:

  1. Yes. Jesu Dulcis Memoria is one of my favourite hymns also. Apparently, it has a lot more verses than commonly sung.

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  2. Many thanks, Kiran!

    NB The three Office hymns for the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus are taken from the long poem you linked to, thusly:

    Jesu dulcis memoria (at Vespers):

    stanzas 1,2,3,5, plus a doxology from elsewhere*;

    Jesu Rex admirabilis (at Matins):

    stanzas 9,11,4,14, plus a doxology from elsewhere*;

    Jesus decus angelicum (at Lauds):

    stanzas 22,20,27,10, plus 35 as a doxology.

    [* Unlike in the original poem, the last lines of these do not rhyme.]

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