Ave verum corpus

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The Elevation of the Host



A short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century and attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d 1362). During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host during the consecration. It was also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The text below is one of the four variants of the hymn that have come down to us.




Original text and translations

Latin.png Latin text

Ave, verum corpus natum
de/ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
[or, fluxit aqua et sanguine:]
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.
[O clemens, O pie,
O dulcis Jesu, Fili Mariae.]


Spanish.png Spanish translation

Salve, verdadero cuerpo,
nacido de María Virgen,
que fue inmolado en la cruz
por los hombres,
cuyo lado perforado
manó sangre y agua,
dejanos degustarte
en el trance de la muerte.


Portuguese.png Portuguese translation

Ó verdadeiro corpo do Senhor,
nascido para nós da virgem Maria.
Que sofreu e foi imolado
na cruz pelos homens,
de cujo lado perfurado
jorra sangue e água.
Deixai-nos saborear-vos
na hora da nossa morte.

Alternative translation

Salve o verdadeiro corpo
nascido da virgem Maria
verdadeiramente sofrido e imolado
na cruz pelo bem dos homens
cujo flanco perfurado
manou água e sangue
Sejai para nós a primeira prova
da experiência da morte.


French.png French translation

Salut vrai corps né
de la vierge Marie
Qui est mort et a été
immolé pour les hommes,
Dont le côté a été percé
et d'où a jailli l'eau et le sang.
Sois pour nous un avant-goût
de l'heure de notre mort.

English.png English translation

Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.

Metrical translation I

Jesu, Word of God Incarnate,
of the virgin Mary born,
On the cross thy sacred body
for us men with nails was torn
Cleanse us, by thy blood and water
Streaming from thy pierced side;
Feed us with thy body broken,
Now in death's agony!
O Jesu, hear us Son of Mary.

Metrical translation II

Jesu, Lamb of God, Redeemer,
born the virgin Mary's Son,
who upon the cross a victim
hast man's salvation won.
From whose side, which man had pierced
flow'd the water and the blood,
by thy sacred body broken,
Be in life and death our food.
O Jesu, be in life and death our food


Dutch.png Dutch translation

Die voor de mensheid
waarachtig geleden heeft
en aan het kruis geslagen is
Wiens zijde doorboord is,
waaruit bloed heeft gestroomd
Degene die voor ons de beproeving
van de dood heeft gesmaakt


German.png German translation by Peter Gerloff

Gruß dir, wahrer Leib, geboren
aus Marias reinem Schoß!
Heimzuführen, was verloren,
trugst du Kreuz und Todeslos.
Von der speerdurchbohrten Seite
flossen Blut und Wasser rot.
Sei uns Vorgeschmack im Streite,
Himmelskraft in Sterbensnot!


Polish.png Polish translation

Bądź pozdrowione prawdziwe Ciało,
Narodzone z Maryi Dziewicy,
Które prawdziwie cierpiało
W ofierze na krzyżu za człowieka.
Jego bok przebity opłynął krwią i wodą,
Abyśmy go zakosztowali podczas sądu w godzinę śmierci.
O Jezu słodki!
O Jezu, łaskawy!
O Jezu synu Maryi.

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