O Jesus

Jesu, rex admirabilis
et triumphator nobilis,

dulcedo ineffabilis,

totus desiderabilis.

Mane nobiscum, Domine,
et nos illustra lumine,

pulsa mentis caligine,

mundum reple ducedine.

O Jesus, wondrous king

And noble conqueror,

Inexpressible sweetness,

Wholly to be desired,

Stay with us, O  Lord,

And enlighten us with your light,
Scatter the darkness of our minds,

Fill the world with sweetness.

At this morning's Eucharist the Abbey schola sang this hymn by Palestrina with stanzas once thought to have been composed by Saint Bernard. We were moved by the text, its ardor and directness. Jesus is our hope, wholly to be desired.