Iesu, Dulcis Memoria

Holy Name Province Iesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th century hymn attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor Mellifluus. The entire hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas depending upon the manuscript. Parts of this hymn were used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. The part below was used at Vespers.

Latin:		English:
Jesu, dúlcis memória, Dans véra córdis gáudia: Sed super mel et ómnia Ejus dúlcis præséntia. Nil cánitur suávius, Nil audítur jucúndius, Nil cogitátur dúlcius, Quam Jésus Déi Fílius. Jésu, spes pæniténtibus, Quan píus es peténtibus! Quan bónus te quæréntibus! Sed quid inveniéntibus? Nec língua válet dícere, Nec líttera exprímere: Expértus pótest crédere, Quid sit Jésum dilígere. Sis, Jésu, nóstrum gáudium, Qui est futúrus praémium Sit nóstra in te glória, Per cúncta semper saécula. Amen.		Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy Presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus' Name, The Savior of mankind. O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek! But what to those who find? Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know. Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; In Thee be all our glory now, And through eternity. Amen.

---Roman Breviary

Prayer Source: The Prayer Book by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Bernardine dei Busti wrote the office for the mass of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, and it makes use of the beautiful 12th century hymn, Iesu Dulcis Memoria which speaks of His Name.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153 A.D.) had a deep devotion to the most Holy Name of Jesus and wrote the hymn "Iesu Dulcis Memoria" which is typically sung on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.