Christians Let Us Love One Another (Tune: PICARDY)

1. Christians let us love one another
as we share the true living bread
Jesus is our God and our brother;
with his flesh and blood we are fed.

Refrain:

Everyone who lives is born of God
Jesus is our life, God is love.

2. We who break this bread are one body,
we who share this cup are all one
Children of our Father in heaven,
we are heirs of God’s only Son. (Refrain)

3. We who eat and drink at this table
die and rise again with our Lord.
Drawing from our rock living water
giv’n to all who thirst for accord. (Refrain)

4. Wheat and grape incarnate a mystery;
Jesus is the true living bread
Let us eat with joy and thanksgiving,
trusting in the word he has said. (Refrain)

5. Jesus is the vine, we the branches;
we are grains of wheat, Christ the bread.
Those who eat this bread live forever,
one with Christ our Lord and our head. (Refrain)

Words: Armand Nigro & Cladia Foltz (1973)
Tune: PICARDY 98.98 + Refrain

Love is his word

1. Love is his word, Love is his way,
Feasting with kin, fasting alone,
Living and dying, rising again
Love only love is his way.

Refrain:

Richer than gold
Is the love of my Lord.
Better than splendour and wealth.

2. Love is his way, love is his mark,
Sharing his last Passover feast.
Christ at the table, host to the Twelve
Love, only love, is his mark.

3. Love is his mark, love is his sign,
Bread for our strength,
wine for our joy,
This is my body, this is my blood
Love, only love is his sign.

4. Love is his sign, love is his news,
Do this he said Lest you forget
All my deep sorrow, all my dear blood,
Love, only love, is his news.

5. Love is his news, Love is his name,
We are his own, chosen and called,
Family, brethren, cousins and kin.
Love, only love is his name.

6. Love is his name, love is his law,
Hear his command, all who are his,
Love one another, I have loved you
Love, only love, is his law.

7. Love is his law, Love is his word,
Love of the Lord, Father, and Word,
Love of the Spirit, God ever one,
Love, only love, is his word.

Text: Luke Connaughton (1917-1979)
Tune: CRESSWELL 8.8.9.7 + Refrain

Recebe, Deus amigo (Receive, O God)

1. Recebe, Deus amigo estes dons que a ti trazemos e felizes,
entre todos a partilha nós faremos.

Refrão:

Ó Deus Pai, a ti trazemos pão e vinho uma vez mais
um só corpo nós seremos com Jesus e pela paz.

2. Recebe, Deus amigo nossos pés e nossos braços
que encontram na unidade o alento pro cansaço.

3. Recebe, Deus amigo os projetos que alimentam
o convívio e o respeito entre os povos que se enfrentam.

4. Recebe, Deus amigo os esforços do teu povo que trabalha com
carinho pra criar um mundo novo.

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Here at the Table of Love (Dana Mangel)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.  

I am the bread of life (John Michael Talbot)

Refrain

I am the Bread of Life.
All who eat this Bread will never die.
I am God’s love revealed.
I am broken that you might be healed.

1. All who eat of this heavenly Bread,
all who drink this cup of the covenant:
you will live forever,
for I will raise you up.

2. No one who comes to me shall hunger again.
No one who believes shall ever thirst.
All that the Father draws shall come to me,
and I shall give them rest.

Composer: John Michael Talbot (b. 1954)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

Be Present at our Table, Lord

Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee.

We thank Thee, Lord, for this our food,
For life and health and every good;
By Thine own hand may we be fed;
Give us each day our daily bread.

We thank Thee, Lord, for this our good,
But more because of Jesus’ blood;
Let manna to our souls be giv’n,
The Bread of Life sent down from Heav’n.

Text: John Cennick, 1718-1755
Tune: OLD HUNDREDTH LM

Happy are they (Carey Landry)

Composer: Carey Landry

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Take and eat (Michael Joncas)

Refrain: 

Take and eat; take and eat: 
this is my body given up for you. 
Take and drink; take and drink: 
this is my blood given up for you.

1. I am the Word that spoke and light was made;
I am the seed that died to be re-born;
I am the bread that comes from heaven above;
I am the vine that fills your cup with joy.

2. I am the way that leads the exile home;
I am the truth that sets the captive free;
I am the life that raises up the dead;
I am your peace, true peace my gift to you.

3. I am the Lamb that takes away your sin;
I am the gate that guards you night and day;
You are my flock; you know the shepherd's voice;
You are my own; your ransom is my blood.

Composer:  Jan Michael Joncas

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Yo soy el pan de vida (Suzanne Toolan)

Yo soy el pan de vida,
el que viene a mi no tendrá hambre,
el que cree en mi no tendrá sed.
Nadie viene a mí mientras mi el Padre no lo acepte.

Estribillo:

Yo le resucitaré, yo lo resucitaré,
Yo le resucitaré, en el día final

2. El pan que yo daré es mi cuerpo, vida del mundo.
El que coma de mi carne,
tendrá vida eterna, tendrá vida eterna. (Estribillo)

3. Mientras no comas el Cuerpo del Hijo del Hombre
y bebas de su sangre, y bebas de su Sangre,
no tendrá vida Él en ti. (Estribillo)

4. Yo soy la Resurrección, Yo soy la vida.
El que cree en mí, aunque muriera,
tendrá la vida eterna. (Estribillo)

5. Sí, Señor, yo creo que Tú eres el Cristo,
el Hijo de Dios que vino al mundo para salvamos. (Estribillo)

See also the original English version: I am the Bread of life (Suzanne Toolan)

Paraphrase of John 6

Composer: Suzanne Toolan (1966)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Bread of Life, Hope of the World (Bernadette Farrell)

Refrain:

Bread of life, hope of the world,
Jesus Christ, our brother;
feed us now, give us life,
lead us to one another.

1. As we proclaim your death as we recall your life,
We remember your promise to return again.

2. The bread we break and share was scattered once as grain:
Just as now it is gathered, make your people one.

3. We eat this living bread, we drink this saving cup:
Sign of hope in our broken world, source of lasting  love.

4. Hold us unity, in love for all to see;
That the world may believe in you, God of all who live.

5. You are the bread of peace, you are the wine of joy,
Broken now for your people, poured in endless love.

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1982)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Thou, Who At Thy First Eucharist Didst Pray

Tune I:




Tune II:

Thou, who at Thy first Eucharist didst pray
That all Thy Church might be forever one,
Grant us that ev’ry Eucharist to say
With longing heart and soul, “Thy will be done.”
O may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.

For all Thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
Make Thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
Draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
By drawing all to Thee, O Prince of Peace;
Thus may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.

We pray Thee too for wand’rers from Thy fold;
O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
Back to the faith which saints believed of old,
Back to the Church which still that faith doth keep;
Soon may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.

So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
May we be one with all Thy Church above,
One with Thy saints in one unbroken peace,
One with Thy saints in one unbounded love;
More blessèd still, in peace and love to be
One with the Trinity in Unity.

Text: W.H. Turton (1881)

Comam do Pão (Taizé)

Comam do Pão, bebam do Cálice
Quem vem a mim, não terá fome
Comam do pão,bebam do Cálice
Quem em mim crer, não terá sede

Eu sou o Pão da Vida
O Pão que desceu do Céu.

Se alguém comer deste Pão
Viverá para a eternidade.

O Pão que desceu do Céu
É para dar a Vida ao mundo.

Quem vem a mim não terá fome
Quem crê em mim, não mais terá sede.

Em verdade eu vos digo:
Quem crê em mim tem a vida eterna.

See also the original English version: Eat This Bread / Jesus Christ, Bread of Life

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Eat This Bread (Taizé)

Refrain:

Eat this bread; drink this cup.
Come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread; drink this cup.
Trust in me and you will not thirst.

 1. I am the bread of life, the true bread sent from the Father.

2. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but this is the bread come down from heaven. 

3. Eat my flesh and drink my blood, and I will raise you up on the last day. 

4. Anyone who eats this bread, will live forever. 

5. If you believe and eat this bread, you will have eternal life. 

See also alternate English version: Jesus Christ, Bread of Life

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

To Be Your Bread (David Haas)

Refrain: 

To be your bread now, be your wine now,
Lord, come and change us to be a sign of your love.
Blest and broken, poured and flowing,
gift that you gave us, to be your body once again.

1. We come to your table with our lives as they are.
Heal us Lord, for we are broken; make us one again.
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

2. Lord, we stumble through the darkness of night.
Lead us, now, O Lord, we follow; bring us home to you.

3. Give us the bread and wine that bring us to life.
Feed us, and we'll never hunger, never thirst again.

Composer: David Haas (1982)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

O Taste And See (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

O taste and see
how gracious the Lord is.
Blessed is the man
that trusteth in him!


Setting of Psalm 34

Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Come, Risen Lord

Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest;
nay, let us be thy guests; the feast is thine;
thyself at thine own board make manifest
in thine own Sacrament of Bread and Wine.

We meet, as in that upper room they met;
thou at the table, blessing, yet dost stand:
"This is my Body"; so thou givest yet:
faith still receives the cup as from thy hand.

One body we, one Body who partake,
one Church united in communion blest;
one Name we bear, one Bread of life we break,
with all the saints on earth, and saints at rest.

One with each other, Lord, for one in thee,
who art one Savior and one living Head;
then open thou our eyes, that we may see;
be known to us in breaking of the Bread.

Text: George Wallace Briggs (1875-1959)
Tune: ROSEDALE 10.10.10.10, by Leo Sowerby (1895-1968)

Kostet und seht (Taizé)

Kostet und seht, gütig ist Gott.
Glücklich die sich bergen bei ihm.
Meide das Böse, tue das Gute.
Suche Frieden und jage ihm nach.

Taste and see how good is the Lord,
happy are those who take refuge in him.
Forsake evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

[NB: Provisional Taizé song]

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Lauda Sion

Lauda Sion Salvatórem
Lauda ducem et pastórem
In hymnis et cánticis.

Quantum potes, tantum aude:
Quia major omni laude,
Nec laudáre súfficis.

Laudis thema speciális,
Panis vivus et vitális,
Hódie propónitur.

Quem in sacræ mensa cœnæ,
Turbæ fratrum duodénæ
Datum non ambígitur.

Sit laus plena, sit sonóra,
Sit jucúnda, sit decóra
Mentis jubilátio.

Dies enim solémnis ágitur,
In qua mensæ prima recólitur
Hujus institútio.

In hac mensa novi Regis,
Novum Pascha novæ legis,
Phase vetus términat.

Vetustátem nóvitas,
Umbram fugat véritas,
Noctem lux elíminat.

Quod in cœna Christus gessit,
Faciéndum hoc expréssit
In sui memóriam.

Docti sacris institútis,
Panem, vinum, in salútis
Consecrámus hóstiam.

Dogma datur Christiánis,
Quod in carnem transit panis,
Et vinum in sánguinem.

Quod non capis, quod non vides,
Animósa firmat fides,
Præter rerum ordinem.

Sub divérsis speciébus,
Signis tantum, et non rebus,
Latent res exímiæ.

Caro cibus, sanguis potus:
Manet tamen Christus totus,
Sub utráque spécie.

A suménte non concísus,
Non confráctus, non divísus:
Integer accípitur.

Sumit unus, sumunt mille:
Quantum isti, tantum ille:
Nec sumptus consúmitur.

Sumunt boni, sumunt mali:
Sorte tamen inæquáli,
Vitæ vel intéritus.

Mors est malis, vita bonis:
Vide paris sumptiónis
Quam sit dispar éxitus.

Fracto demum Sacraménto,
Ne vacílles, sed memento,
Tantum esse sub fragménto,
Quantum toto tégitur.

Nulla rei fit scissúra:
Signi tantum fit fractúra:
Qua nec status nec statúra
Signáti minúitur.

Ecce panis Angelórum,
Factus cibus viatórum:
Vere panis fíliórum,
Non mittendus cánibus.

In figúris præsignátur,
Cum Isaac immolátur:
Agnus paschæ deputátur
Datur manna pátribus.

Bone pastor, panis vere,
Jesu, nostri miserére:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuére:
Tu nos bona fac vidére
In terra vivéntium.

Tu, qui cuncta scis et vales:
Qui nos pascis hic mortales:
Tuos ibi commensáles,
Cohærédes et sodales,
Fac sanctórum cívium.
Amen. Allelúia.

Traditional Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Historical Background

Text: Thomas Aquinas (c. 1264)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode VII

I Come With Joy To Meet My Lord

I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ's communion bread.

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.

And thus with joy we meet our Lord.
His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see and praise him here.

Together met, together bound,
we'll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we'll live and speak his praise.


Words: Brian Wren (1971)
Tune: DOVE OF PEACE 8.6.8.6.6

Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
thy chosen pilgrim flock
with manna in the wilderness,
with water from the rock.

We would not live by bread alone,
but by thy word of grace,
in strength of which we travel on
to our abiding place.

Be known to us in breaking bread,
and do not then depart;
Savior, abide with us, and spread
thy table in our heart.

Lord, sup with us in love divine,
thy Body and thy Blood,
that living bread, that heavenly wine,
be our immortal food.

Text: James Montgomery, 1825
Tune: ST. AGNES, CM