‘AVE VERUM CORPUS’ - P. Philips

Peter Philips was an eminent English composer and organist in the late 16th century (1560 - 1628), right at what most scholars define as the period of change between the Renaissance and Baroque eras. However, in Philips’ case (and many others) it’s not as clear cut. Philips fled England as a young man because he was unable to maintain his Catholic beliefs comfortably. ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ and an accompanying motet ‘Ascendit Deus’ were published in Antwerp in 1612. The collection was defiantly dedicated to the ‘amplification of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman faith’. It’s this dedication to his faith which delineates the style of his compositions.

Ave verum corpus, natum
de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine
cuius latus perforatum
fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis prægustatum
in mortis examine.

O Iesu dulcis, O Iesu pie,
O Iesu, fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.

Hail, true Body, born
of the Virgin Mary,
having truly suffered, sacrificed
on the cross for mankind,
from whose pierced side
water and blood flowed:
Be for us a foretaste
in the trial of death!

O sweet Jesus, O holy Jesus,
O Jesus, son of Mary,
have mercy on me. Amen.