Jesu Dulcis Memoria

A 12th century hymn attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Jesu Dulcis Memoria extols the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It's text has inspired centuries of composers, from Palestrina,  to Victoria, even until today.

In an effort to "close out" the month of the Holy Name - or rather give it back to heaven -  the text of this beloved hymn is below, as well as links to a few more well-known renditions. 
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Jesu Duclis Memoria

​Jesu dulcis memoria
dans vera cordis gaudia:
sed super mel et omnia
ejus dulcis praesentia.

Nil canitur suavius,
nil auditur jucundius,
nil cogitatur dulcius,
quam Jesus Dei Filius.
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Jesu, spes paenitentibus,
uam pius es petentibus!
quam bonus te quaerentibus!
sed quid invenientibus?

Nec lingua valet dicere,
nec littera exprimere:
expertus potest credere,
quid sit Jesum diligere.

Sis, Jesu, nostrum gaudium,
qui es futurus praemium:
sit nostra in te gloria,
​per cuncta semper saecula. 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.

Victoria Rendition

Gregorian Chant