sursum corda

[ soor-soom kawr-dah, kohr- ]

noun

, Ecclesiastical.

1. the words “Lift up your hearts,” addressed by the celebrant of the Mass to the congregation just before the preface.

sursum corda

/ ˈsɜːsəm ˈkɔːdə /

noun

1. RC Church a Latin versicle meaning Lift up your hearts, said by the priest at Mass
2. a cry of exhortation, hope, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sursum corda¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1550–60

Word History and Origins

Origin of sursum corda¹

C16: Latin, literally: up hearts

Example Sentences

However, sursum corda; faint heart never writ romance.

From Project Gutenberg

Christian! would thou indeed reduce this affection under just controul—sursum corda!

From Project Gutenberg

The figure on the tomb is a modern restoration, very elaborately clad in full pontificals, while the hands are clasped about a heart, representing the sursum corda, or lifting up of the heart.

From Project Gutenberg

The visits of death are always solemn, but the end of the just is the most moving sursum corda that we can- 343 - hear on earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Away along the slope we heard the other trumpeters sounding in answer, and I believe 'twas a sursum corda! to all of us.

From Project Gutenberg