![Text Text](https://hymnary.org/sites/hymnary.org/themes/newhymn/icons/20x20/page-text.png)
![Page scan Page scan](https://hymnary.org/sites/hymnary.org/themes/newhymn/icons/20x20/camera.png)
Author: St Thomas Aquinas, 1227-1274; J. M. Neale; Edward Caswall Hymnal: Common Praise #326 (2000) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: PART 1 -
1 The heavenly Word, proceeding forth
yet leaving not the Father’s side,
accomplishing his work on earth
had reached at length life’s eventide.
2 By false disciple to be given
to foemen for his life athirst,
himself, the very bread of heaven,
he gave to his disciples first.
*3 He gave himself in either kind,
his precious flesh, his precious blood;
in love's own fullness thus designed
of the whole man to be the food.
*4 By birth their fellow-man was he,
their meat, when sitting at the board;
he died, our ransomer to be;
he ever reigns, their great reward.
PART TWO -
5 O saving Victim, opening wide
the gate of heaven on from every side:
thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.
6 All praise and thanks to thee ascend
for evermore, blest One in Three;
O grant us life that shall not end
in our true native land with thee. Amen.
Topics: Holy Communion; Maundy Thursday Scripture: John 1:14 Languages: English Tune Title: VERBUM SUPERNUM
The heavenly Word, proceeding forth