Summer Hiatus

 

The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord

1 July

 

FORTH let the long procession stream,

And through the streets in order wend;

Let the bright waving line of torches gleam,

The solemn chant ascend;

 

While we, with tears and sighs profound,

That memorable Blood record

Which, stretched on His hard cross, from many a wound

The dying Jesus poured.

 

By the first Adam's fatal sin

Came death upon the human race;

In this new Adam doth new life begin,

And everlasting grace.

 

For scarce the Father heard from heaven

The cry of His expiring Son,

When in that cry our sins were all forgiven,

And boundless pardon won.

 

Henceforth, whoso in that dear Blood

Washeth shall lose his every stain:

And in immortal roseate beauty robed,

An angel's likeness gain.

 

Only run thou with courage on

Straight to the goal set in the skies;

He who assists thy course will give thee soon

The everlasting prize.

 

Father supreme! vouchsafe that we,

For whom Thine only Son was slain,

And whom thy Holy Spirit sanctifies,

May heavenly joys attain.

 

Amen.