Tantum Ergo Sacramentum

The hymn 'Tantum Ergo Sacramentum' is a revered piece within the Christian religious tradition, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. The lyrics, written in Latin, are a part of the larger hymn 'Pange Lingua Gloriosi' composed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century for the Feast of Corpus Christi. This specific section of the hymn is traditionally sung during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, a service where the consecrated host is adored by the faithful.

The opening lines, 'Tantum ergo sacramentum Veneremur cernui,' call for the worship of the sacrament (the body of Christ in the Eucharist) with a humble and reverent posture. The hymn contrasts the 'antiquum documentum,' or ancient texts of the Old Covenant, with the 'novo cedat ritui,' the New Covenant's rites, emphasizing the transition from the old to the new in Christian theology. The phrase 'Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui' suggests that faith serves as a supplement for the failure of the senses, meaning that where human perception falls short, faith prevails.

The second stanza shifts to praise the Holy Trinity. 'Genitori, genitoque Laus et iubilatio' translates to 'Praise and jubilation to the Begetter and the Begotten,' referring to the Father and the Son. The stanza continues to offer salutations, honor, and blessings to the Trinity, ending with 'Amen,' a word of solemn affirmation. The hymn encapsulates key Christian beliefs about the Eucharist, the New Covenant, and the Holy Trinity, all within a context of worship and adoration.