Sancti venite
Sancti venite is a Latin Eucharistic hymn recorded in the Antiphonary of Bangor.[1]
Sancti venite | |
---|---|
by Monks at Bangor Abbey | |
English | Come all ye holy |
Genre | Hymn |
Written | 7th century |
Language | Latin |
Meter | 10.10 |
Published | AD 680–691 |
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History
"Sancti venite" was composed at Bangor Abbey in the 7th century AD, making it the oldest known Eucharistic hymn.[2]
It was carried to Bobbio Abbey and was first published by Ludovico Antonio Muratori in his Anecdota Latina ex Ambrosianæ Bibliothecæ codicibus (1697–98), when he discovered it in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.[3]
According to a legend recorded in An Leabhar Breac, the hymn was first sung by angels at St. Seachnall's Church, Dunshaughlin, after Secundinus had reconciled with his uncle Saint Patrick.[4]
Lyrics
Latin text Sancti venite, Christi corpus sumite, Salvati Christi corpore et sanguine, Hoc sacramento corporis et sanguinis Dator salutis, Christus filius Dei, Pro universis immolatus Dominus Lege praeceptum immolari hostias, Lucis indultor et salvator omnium Accedant omnes pura mente creduli, Sanctorum custos, rector quoque, Caelestem panem dat esurien- tibus, Alpha et omega ipse Christus Dominus |
English text (tr. John Mason Neale, 1851) Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord, Saved by that Body and that precious Blood, Salvation's Giver, Christ, the only Son, Offered was he for greatest and for least, Victims were offered by the law of old, He, Ransomer, from death, and Light from shade, approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere, He that in this world rules his saints and shields, With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole, Alpha and Omega, to whom shall bow |
References
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Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
- "Sancti, venite".
- Healy, Rev John (8 June 2016). "Insula Sanctorum Et Doctorum Or Ireland's Ancient Schools And Scholars". Read Books Ltd – via Google Books.
- "Bangor, Light of the World, 11: Patrick of Lecale - Dr. Ian Adamson OBE".
- "Celtic and Old English Saints - 10 May".