How often do we get to hear the angelic hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas at our churches these days? Sadly, the sacred and glorious hymns of the Catholic Church that move us to silent adoration and worship, in heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, have been replaced by other, well, Protestant hymns. (Think Gather Us In and We are One in the Spirit) I thought it would be fun to do a comparison of the lyrics for "We Are One in the Spirit", written in 1966 by Peter Scholte, with "Sing My Tongue, the Saviour's Glory", written by the angelic doctor himself, St. Thomas Aquinas, in the thirteenth century.
I know which one moves me to worship. Judge for yourself.
Sing, My Tongue, the Savior’s Glory
SING, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world's redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law's command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.
Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;-
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
newer rites of grace prevail;
faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble sense failthat
To the everlasting Father,
and the Son who reigns on high,
with the Holy Ghost proceeding
forth from Each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.
You didn't really think I would grace the text of "We are One in the Spirit" with space on the same page as an ancient hymn from St. Thomas Aquinas did you? If you really want the text go here. It's a song ( I can't bring myself to say hymn) all about ecumenism and saving each man's pride.
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11 comments:
"Gather Us In" and "We Are One in the Spirit" must be Protestant: every time I hear them, I protest!
By the way, P.G., that link to "We Are One in the Spirit" is NOT the updated, modernized version with the sexist (i.e., masculine) language taken out. You should be ashamed of yourself for not being politically correct, and for exposing sensitive eyes to the insult of masculinity excluding the feminine from oneness in the Spirit.
I didn't get your post, either iam obtuse, dumb, or just plain don't get it. is this an insult? or a joke anita? i sometimes do not get jokes, and they need to be explained to me.
you weren't insulting my sister were you?
I was absolutely serious. I am totally insulted by the appearance of the word "man" in the lyrics P.G. linked to. My femaleness has been attacked, and I have been marginalized as a woman. It could take years of psychotherapy and bushels of prozac to get me over this, and even then, I'll be scarred for life. P.G. will be hearing from my lawyers.
i find it hard to believe your deadly serious about your post. if you are, i don't think my sister meant to offend anyone. she does have a right to her opinion doesn't ahe? if your truly offended, why didn't you pm her and tell her? things can be solved privately can they not?
i happen to enjoy her posts, and not because we are related either, but because i think she is right. she is outspoken as am i, and as far as i know, in this country we have a right to freedom od speech do we not?
you do, she does, so do i.we must all remember that not everyone holds the same viewpoint correct?
there are those who disagree with her or myself, and iam sure there are those who disagree with you correct? isn't that part of life?
we cannot all agree on the same issues. modernists do not agree woth trads, and vice versa.
but we can all co exisr no matter who we are right? we can all respect someones opinion even if we do not agree with it. if those of you who heavily disagree with PG,
and have an issue with her, why do you post here? have you thought of talking to her privately before you lamb baste her? anita, iam not saying your doing that, just a reminder for those who can be argumenative.
can't we all get along?
To Think that "Tantum Ergo, Sacramentum" was replaced with Eucumenistic Dreck, is saddening indeed:
I saw the coming of the Folk Mass;
Not my style!
Anita and Marilena, I have to tell you that I am still laughing at your little exchange. Anita, I love your sense of humour, and Marilena, it is a joke. Anita calls me a misogynist all the time, but it's tongue in cheek, of course. (I consider it a compliment!) Hah! Great fun reading your comments.
oh great, now i feel like a complete idiot! *embarassed*
Naaaah. No need. It's understandable, in a world where people really think like that -- and, in universities, get huge quantities of money and prestige into the bargain.
As for "We Are One in the Spirit": I'd almost rather hear the Beer Barrel Polka at Mass.
"We are one in the Spirit"? Haven't heard that old bit of fluff since college, a quarter century ago.
Our choir sings it regularly, I'm sad to say. I'm going to suggest to our priest (again) that the choir sing at least one sacred and traditional hymn every Sunday.
It is better in Latin
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