The Word of God Proceeding Forth / Verbum Supernum Prodiens

The Cross, Their Ransom Dearly Paid

The Word of God Proceeding Forth is an english translation of the original latin hymn written in 1264: Verbum Supernum (see 2nd video) by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). In the Roman Breviary it is used as the hymn at Lauds in the Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi. The final two stanzas are often sung at Benediction as the hymn: O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim). In 2008, the Catholic recording artist Tom Booth added a praise chorus to the english text for his song: O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Lamb). The version of The Word of God Proceeding Forth used in the Liturgy of the Hours is a combination of the work of three writers: John Mason Neale (1818-1866), Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878), and Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889). It is set to the 1790 tune Rockingham, attributed to Ed­ward Mill­er (1735-1807). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during Holy Week.

Tune: Rockingham

THE HEAVENLY WORD PROCEEDING FORTH by John Mason Neale, Edward Caswall, and others. (Public Domain)

1. The heavenly Word proceeding forth,
yet not leaving the Father's side,
went forth upon His work on earth
and reached at length life's eventide.

2. By false disciple to be given
to foemen for His Blood athirst,
Himself, the living Bread from heaven,
He gave to His disciples first.

3. To them He gave, in twofold kind,
His very Flesh, His very Blood:
of twofold substance man is made,
and He of man would be the Food.

4. By birth our fellowman was He,
our Food while seated at the board;
He died, our ransomer to be;
He ever reigns, our great reward.

5. O saving Victim, opening wide
the gate of heaven to all below:
our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

6. 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.

Gregorian Chant

VERBUM SUPERNUM PRODIENS by St. Thomas Aquinas, 1264

1. Verbum supernum prodiens,
nec Patris linquens dexteram,
ad opus suum exiens,
venit ad vitae vesperam.

2. In mortem a discipulo
suis tradendus aemulis,
prius in vitae ferculo
se tradidit discipulis.

3. Quibus sub bina specie
carnem dedit et sanguinem;
ut duplicis substantiae
totum cibaret hominem.

4. Se nascens dedit socium,
convescens in edulium,
se moriens in pretium,
se regnans dat in praemium.

5. O salutaris hostia,
quae caeli pandis ostium,
bella premunt hostilia;
da robur, fer auxilium.

6. Uni trinoque Domino
sit sempiterna gloria:
qui vitam sine termino
nobis donet in patria. Amen.