Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail; Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker venerates the Eucharist as a sacred presence that replaces old rituals with new grace, relying on faith when physical senses cannot perceive it.
- In plain terms
- We worship the holy bread because faith helps us see what our senses cannot.
- What can you take from it?
- Faith completes worship when physical perception fails.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does faith bridge the gap between sight and belief?
- What rituals rely on invisible realities?
Another view
The imagery assumes acceptance of specific Catholic Eucharistic theology.
More from Thomas Aquinas
Pange, lingua, gloriosi Corporis mysterium Sanguinisque pretiosi, Quem in mundi pretium Fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit gentium.
Permalink to quote #1 Thus Angels' Bread is made The Bread of man today: The Living Bread from Heaven With figures doth away: O wondrous gift indeed! The poor and lowly may Upon the…
Permalink to quote #3 O saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heaven to man below, Our foes press on from every side, Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
It is a heretical opinion, but a common one, that the sacraments of the New Law give pardoning grace to those who do not set up an obstacle.
Leo X (Pope)Leo X (Pope) quote #3 Sacro autem baptismate ablutis, matrimonium eiusmodi praeditum est dignitate, ut gratiae sacramentale signum exsistat, cum Christi et Ecclesiae coniunctionem d…
Paul VI (Pope)Paul VI (Pope) quote #4 I was persuaded and am, that God's way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the…
Roger WilliamsRoger Williams quote #5