Tantum ergo – part 1

Veronica Brandt
Last updated on 30 Jul, 2021 2 min read

This hymn usually comes right before the actual Blessing of the Blessed Sacrament – or Benediction for short. We all kneel down – the English words run:

Down in adoration falling
this great Sacrament we hail
ancient types have long departed
newer rites of grace prevail
faith for all defects supplying
where the feeble senses fail.

Or in Latin

Tantum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  so&nbsp;great
</dd>
ergo
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  therefore
</dd>
Sacramentum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  a&nbsp;Sacrament
</dd>
veneremur
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  let&nbsp;us&nbsp;venerate
</dd>
cernui
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  bowing&nbsp;down
</dd>
et
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  and
</dd>
antiquum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  ancient
</dd>
documentum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  ordinance
</dd>
novo
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  to&nbsp;the&nbsp;new
</dd>
cedat
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  let&nbsp;him/her/it&nbsp;give&nbsp;place
</dd>
ritui
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  to&nbsp;the&nbsp;rite
</dd>
praestet
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  let&nbsp;he/she/it&nbsp;offer
</dd>
fides
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  faith
</dd>
supplementum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  a&nbsp;supply
</dd>
sensuum
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  of&nbsp;the&nbsp;senses
</dd>
defectui
<dd class='' style='margin: 0; padding: 0'>
  for&nbsp;the&nbsp;deficiency
</dd>

See this hymn in action at St Peter’s Basilica with Pope Benedict XVI.

Please go to Tantum ergo – part 1 to view this test

Veronica Brandt
Veronica Brandt
Main Troublemaker

My research interests include pedagogical approaches to forming choirs, knitting socks and whether Linux is a blessing or a curse.