A personal hymn of adoration, prayed kneeling before the tabernacle.
Saint Thomas speaking in the first person to Christ hidden under the appearance of bread.
When: During adoration, in thanksgiving after Communion, or in a quiet church at any hour.
Why: Every other Eucharistic hymn teaches. This one simply kneels. It admits the senses are useless here and asks for the sight of God face to face instead.
Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more. See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived; how says trusty hearing? That shall be believed. What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do; truth himself speaks truly, or there’s nothing true.
On the Cross thy Godhead made no sign to men; here thy very manhood steals from human ken. Both are my confession, both are my belief, and I pray the prayer of the dying thief.
Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below, I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so, some day to gaze on thee face to face in light and be blest for ever with thy glory’s sight. Amen.