Greet We This Mystery Yearly Returning

This Communion hymn was translated by English  Roman Catholic priest, theologian and author Ronald A Knox (1888-1957), from Sacris Solemniis by St Thomas Aquinas ((1227·74).    It is particularly appropriate for Holy Thursday - although the language used may be seen as too dense/complicated for some communities.

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

• The Westminster Hymnal, 1939, 1958
• Nigerian Catholic Hymn Book, 1971
• The St Michael Hymnal (3rd edition)
• The Living Parish Hymnal.

It was included in a 1969 recording of hymns for Christ the King and Advent, made in Australia (ref), but no on-line examples have been found.

With meter 11.11.12.8, it is set to a tune called SACRIS SOLEMNIS which in 1939 was described as an "Old Downside tune" - based on this, it is assumed to be in the public domain.

Downloads

Sheet music
(organ score)

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available page 77 of this book.    The hymn has seven verses, each four lines long. A rough outline is

1 Greet we this mystery yearly returning ...

2 Christ, in the sight of his brethren reclining ...

3 After that offering made for a token ...

4 His body fortified spirits that sickened ...

5 Thence this unaltering sacrifice floweth ...

6 Man makes repast in this banquet supernal ...

7 0 gracious Trinity, fill, we implore thee ...

See also

• Hymns for Holy Thursday