Catholic Chant
Keeping the Faith through Music
Ave Verum Corpus


Latin English
Ave verum Corpus natum
De Maria Virgine:
Vere passum, immolatum
In cruce pro homine:
Cujus latus perforatum
Fluxit aqua et sanguine:
Esto nobis praegustatum
Mortis in examine.
O Jesu dulcis!
O Jesu pie!
O Jesu fili Mariae! 		Hail True Body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
Truly suffered, offered
On the cross, for mankind.
From whose side, upon being torn,
Flowed water and blood:
Be to us a foretaste
Of death in the balance.
O sweet Jesus!
O loving Jesus!
O Jesus, son of Mary!
Media
AveVerum_audio
Season: All
Use: General hymn for Mass, processions, or private prayer.

Perhaps the most famous musical setting of this text is that of Mozart, which is popular at weddings and even secular vocal performances.  The Ave Verum is a commonly-used Eucharistic hymn; its text is a condensed catechism lesson.