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The moving hymn

While singing this hymn of thanksgiving after Communion, many at the Holy Father's Mass this morning at Westminster Cathedral were visibly moved. It was sung to the tune St. Catherine, which we often use for Faith of Our Fathers.

"O Bread of Heaven, beneath this veil
Thou dost my very God conceal:
My Jesus, dearest treasure, hail!
I love Thee and, adoring, kneel;
Each loving soul by Thee is fed
With Thine own Self
in form of Bread.

O food of life, Thou Who dost give
The pledge of immortality;
I live, no ‘tis not I that live;
God gives me life, God lives in me:
He feeds my soul, He guides my ways,
And every grief with joy repays.

O Bond of love that dost unite
The servant to his living Lord ;
Could I dare live and not requite
Such love - then death were meet reward:
I cannot live unless to prove
Some love for such unmeasured love.

My dearest God! Who dost so bind
My heart with countless claims to Thee!
O Sweetest love, my soul shall find
In Thy dear bonds true liberty.
Thyself Thou hast bestowed on me;
Thine, Thine for ever I will be.

O Mighty Fire, Thou that dost burn
To kindle every mind and heart!
For Thee my frozen soul doth yearn;
Come, Lord of love, Thy warmth impart;
If thus to speak too bold appear,‘
Tis love like Thine has banished fear.

O Sweetest dart of love Divine!
If I have sinned, then vengeance take;
Come pierce this guilty heart of mine,
And let it die for His dear sake
Who once expired on Calvary,
His heart pierced through for love of me.

Beloved Lord, in Heaven above
There, Jesus, Thou awaitest me,
To gaze on Thee with endless love;
Yes, thus I hope, thus shall it be:
For how can He deny me Heaven,
Who here on earth Himself hath given?"

Music for a Rainy Sunday

Today's Gospel was the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which includes the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. The Psalm treated so beautiful below was the responsorial Psalm for today, the penitential 51st Psalm: Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness. In the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.

Gaude, mater Anna

Rejoice, O mother Anne, rejoice!
O holy mother, lift your voice!
The daughter you have brought to birth
Is mother of our God on earth.

Ring out your joy, exult and pray:
The Virgin Queen is born today!
And celebrate with Joachim
This child who springs from you and him.

Behold, the blessings of her birth
Shall overturn the curse of earth.
What our first mother lost by sin
This newborn mother's Son will win.

St. Anna, hear our joyful cries,
And raise our banners to the skies,
Where you delight to see His face
Who cleanses us from sin by grace.