Cor arca legem continens

Ark of the Covenant! not that
Whence bondage came of old;
But that of pardon and of grace,
And mercies manifold!

Thou Veil of awful mystery!
Thou Sanctuary sublime!
Thou sacred Temple, holier far
Than that of olden time!

Blest Heart of Christ! in thy dear wound
The hidden depth we see.
Of what were else unguess’d by us,—
His boundless charity.

Beneath this emblem of pure love,
’Twas Love Himself that died;
And offer’d up for us to God
A Victim crucified.

Oh, who of his redeem’d will Him
Their mutual love refuse?
Who would not rather in that heart
Their home eternal choose?

To God the Father, God the Son,
And, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Be honour, glory, virtue, power,
Through all eternity.