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Eucharistic hymn

Verbum Supernum Prodiens

St. Thomas Aquinas's hymn for Lauds of Corpus Christi — whose last two stanzas form the O Salutaris Hostia sung at Benediction.

The prayer

The Word, descending from above, though with the Father still on high, went forth upon his work of love, and soon to life's last eve drew nigh. […]

O saving Victim, opening wide the gate of heaven to man below; our foes press on from every side, thine aid supply, thy strength bestow. To thy great name be endless praise, immortal Godhead, One in Three; O grant us endless length of days in our true native land with thee. Amen. — These last two stanzas are the O salutaris Hostia sung at Benediction.

Where it comes from

The dated sources the library holds, oldest first — in their own words.

  1. 1,246
    The feast of Corpus Christi

    First kept at Liège in 1246, the feast of Corpus Christi is extended to the whole Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264 (the bull Transiturus); St. Thomas Aquinas composes its Office — the hymns for the hours and the sequence for the Mass.

  2. 1,246
    In the Office of the feast

    Verbum Supernum Prodiens is the hymn appointed for Lauds of the feast.

  3. 1,264
    The Catholic Encyclopedia Catholic
    1907–1914
    “The hymn is assigned to Lauds of Corpus Christi and is commonly ascribed to St. Thomas Aquinas.”
    Source
  4. 1,264
    The O Salutaris Hostia

    The two closing stanzas of Verbum Supernum — "O salutaris Hostia" — became a hymn of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in their own right.