O Holy Father, who in tender love

O Holy Father

who in tender love

Didst give Thine only Son for us to die

The while He pleads at Thy right hand above

We in one Spirit now with faith draw nigh;

And

as we eat this bread and drink this wine

Plead His once offered sacrifice Divine.

We are not worthy to be called Thy sons

Nor gather up the fragments of Thy feast;

Yet look on us

Thy sorrowing contrite ones

On us in Him our Advocate and Priest

Whose robe is fringed with mercy’s golden bells

Whose breastplate fathomless compassion tells.

Oh

hear us

for Thou always hearest Him;

Behold us sprinkled with His precious blood;

And from between the shadowing cherubim

Shine forth

and grant us by this heav’nly food

Foretastes of coming glory

and meanwhile

A Father’s blessing and a Father’s smile.

And

Father

ere we leave Thy mercy-throne

Bound by these sacred pledges

yet most free

We give our hearts

and not our hearts alone

But all we are and all we have to Thee;

Glad free-will offerings all our pilgrim days

Hereafter an eternity of praise.