O Sacrum Convivium (O Sacred Banquet) by Ricky Manalo, CSP

O Sacrum Convivium is a communion song that was commissioned by Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Fort Mitchell, KY, on the occasion of the community's Centennial Celebration (June 2019-June 2020). The text to the first part of the refrain and throughout the verses is attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas and is based on the antiphon to the Magnificat for Evening Prayer II for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi:
O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received,
the memory of his Passion is renewed,
the mind is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Alleluia.
The text to the second part of the refrain is based on St. Paul (1 Cor 6:15; 1 Cor. 10:17) and St. Augustine’s assertation (Sermon 227): in the Eucharist we become what we receive. Threaded throughout the verses are the seven corporal works of mercy. Jerry Chiusano arranged this for keyboard, oboe, 2 trumpets, 1 French horn, 2 trombones, and timpani.
REFRAIN
O Sacrum Convivium! O Sacred Banquet!
Behold, the meal where Christ is received.
O Sacrum Convivium! O Sacred Banquet!
May we become what we receive.
VERSE ONE
O Christ, in our memory your passion is renewed.
Be then the story of our salvation. Be now our saving meal.
VERSE TWO
O Christ, in your rising our minds are filled with grace.
Be our desire for grace and wisdom. Be now our saving meal.
VERSE THREE
O Christ, may this meal we share remind us of our call
to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter those without homes.
VERSE FOUR
O Christ, may this banquet provide for those who thirst,
and we may visit the sick and the imprisoned, and comfort those who mourn.
VERSE FIVE
O Christ, in this banquet transform our hearts anew
that we become what we receive and so give praise to you.
VERSE SIX
O Christ, in your promise our lives have been restored.
Give us the pledge of future glory. Be now our vision of hope.
© 2019, 2021 by Ricky Manalo, CSP. Published by Oregon Catholic Press.
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