Ave vivens hostia

Settings by composers

• Anonymous — ATB
• André Vierendeels — SATB
• André Vierendeels — TTB
• Charles H. Giffen — SATB + 2 descants

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Charles H. Giffen — Hail, Thou living Victim blest

Text and translations

Latin text Johannes Peckham, 13th c., attr. 1. Ave, vivens hostia,        Veritas et vita,     In qua sacrificia          Cuncta sunt finita,     Per te patri gloria       Datur infinita,     Per te stat ecclesia       Iugiter munita. 2. Ave, vas clementiae,        Scrinium dulcoris,     In quo sunt deliciae        Caelici saporis,     Veritas substantiae        Tota salvatoris,     Sacramentum gratiae,        Pabulum amoris.   3. Ave, manna caelicum        Verius legali,     Datum in viaticum        Misero mortali,     Medicamen mysticum        Morbo spiritali,     Morte dans catholicum        Vitae immortali. 4. Ave, corpus Domini        Et munus finale,     Corpus iunctum numini,        Nobile iocale,     Quod reliquit homini        In memoriale,     Cum finali termino [or termini]        Mundo dixit vale. 5. Ave, plenum gaudium,        Vita beatorum,     Pauperum solacium,        Salus miserorum,     Grande privilegium        Est hoc viatorum.     Quorum sacrificium        Merces est caelorum.   6. Ave, virtus fortium,        Obvians ruinae,     Turris et praesidium        Plebis peregrinae,     Quam insultus hostium        Frangere non sine,     Ne vi malignantium        Pereat in fine.   German translation 1. Sei gegrüßt, du lebendige Opfergabe, Wahrheit und Leben, in der alle Opfer zu Ende gebracht sind. Durch dich wird dem Vater unendlicher Ruhm gegeben, durch dich steht die Kirche immerdar befestigt. 2. Sei gegrüßt, du Gefäß der Milde, Schrein der Süßigkeit, in dem die Wonnen des himmlischen* Geschmacks sind. Ganze Wahrheit des Wesens des Erlösers, Sakrament der Gnade, Speise der Liebe.

English translation Hugh T. Henry (1862-1946), transl. 1. Hail, Thou living Victim blest,      truth and life supernal,    Olden types in Thee confessed      find their end eternal.    Infinite through Thee the praise      to the Father given,    While Thy love the Church arrays      as an earthly heaven. 2. Hail, Thou ancient Mercy-seat,      source of grace and favour;    Precious ointment-box replete      with celestial savour:    Thou the God-man truly art      in divine completeness:    Fed on Thee, the loving heart      knows Thy raptured sweetness. 3. Hail, Thou Manna from the skies,      yet more truly given    To the pilgrim soul that sighs      for her promised Heaven:    Mystic medicine Thou art      for the wounded spirit;    Healed by Thee, may every heart      endless life inherit.

English translation Ronald A. Knox (1888-1957), transl. Hail, true Victim, life and light   Unto sinners lending-- Every older form and rite   Hath in thee its ending-- Spotless in the Father's sight   Evermore ascending, Holy church in bitter fight   Evermore befriending. Hail, true Manna from the sky--   Israel never knew thee; Pilgrims, for the day's supply,   Daily homage do thee; When our souls in sickness lie,   Yields that sickness to thee; Christians, when they come to die,   Live immortal through thee. Hail, Christ's Body--gift he made,   His own death foreshewing, (Godhead under earthly shade   Like a jewel glowing), Sacred memories, ne'er to fade,   On his Church bestowing, When to earth farewell he bade,   To his Passion going. Jesus truly in this place   God and Man resideth; Him no shadow doth replace,   Him no rent divideth, Very flesh, although his face,   Glorified, he hideth; Garnered in this little space   All of Christ abideth. Seen in heaven by blessed eyes   This his body reigneth; Form of bread, in other wise,   Here its scope containeth;-- Mystery he alone descrise   Who the same ordaineth; Well may her such thing devise   Whom no power restraineth. Plead, true Victim, in our stead,   To the Father crying, Thou, Thy children's daily bread,   Daily health supplying; Banquet for the exile spread,   Grant us life undying: May our love from Thine be fed,   Self and sense denying!