Vere Languores, Holy Week Antiphon for Maundy Thursday

Hymns & songs

Holy Week Liturgy
Vere Languores
Vere Languores is an antiphon for Maundy Thursday that reflects on the inestimable value of the sacrifice Our Lord made upon the Cross. Christ hangs from that tree and thus bears with Him our sorrow and infirmity. Through His wounds we are the ones to be healed. Blessed is the wood that bore such a precious gift as the life of God.

This variation was composed by Fr. Tomas Luis de Victoria in the 16^th century.
It is here sung by the Amici Cantores.

Listen to the Vere Languores

Lyrics:

Latin lyrics
Vere languores nostros ipse tulit,
Et dolores nostros ipse portavit.

Cujus livore sanati sumus.

Dulce lignum, dulces clavos,
Dulcia ferens pondera.

Quae sola fuisti digna,
Sustinere Regem coelorum et Dominum.

English translation
Surely he hath borne our infirmities,
And carried our sorrows.

By his wounds we have been healed.

Sweet cross, sweet nails,
Sweetly bearing the weight.

You alone were worthy,
To bear the King of heaven and the Lord.