R. Humili prece et sincera devotione
Ad te clamantes semper exaudi nos. (A. H. 50. 253)
With humble prayer and pure devotion,
Ever hear us as we cry to Thee.
It seems probable that the custom of singing a hymn in the procession before the reading of the Gospel originated at St. Gall. Hartmann provided a beautiful versus for this purpose,
Sacrata libri dogmata
Portantur evangelici. (A. H. 50. 250)
The sacred words of the
Gospel are borne.
A versus for the reception of the Eucharist was written by Radbert, Laudes omnipotens, ferimus tibi dona colentes (A. H. 50. 239), “In reverence, Almighty, we bring our praises as gifts to Thee.” The Blessing of the Font on Holy Saturday inspired his Versus ad Descensum fontis (A. H. 50. 242-3). Among the ceremonies most characteristic of medieval piety was that of Mandatum or foot-washing, commemorating the act of Jesus in washing his disciples’ feet, (John 13; 1-15). The name “Maundy Thursday” is a modern survival of the ancient terminology.[24] The hymn associated with this rite appears first in Gaul in the eighth or ninth century and may have been current in Italy in monastic centers. The antiphon, Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est, “Where charity is and love, God is there,” is at once the motive and refrain of this hymn, Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor (A. H. 12. 24), “The love of Christ has united us,” which follows the scriptural account.[25]