Among the many religious hymns written by Dun Karm, one that became popular even abroad was "T'adoriam ostia divina"[1] or "Nadurawk ja Ħobż tas-Sema".
When the International Eucharistic Congress was held in Malta in 1913, Maestro Joseph Caruana asked Dun Karm to write a hymn for the occasion.
It has since become popular in many languages, for example, in English with the title "Host Divine, we bow in Worship" and in Spanish "Te adoramos, Hostia Divina".
Host Divine, we sing thy praise, To the strong Thou givest meekness And the weak to strength dost raise.
Frott l-imħabba l-iżjed bnin; Jalla d-dinja tagħraf tħobbok, Fik il-qlub huma henjin.
Host Divine, we sing thy praise, Hail, o God of hidden splendour Lord of time through endless days.
Laferla asked Dun Karm to write lyrics to fit the melody, which then became the Maltese National Anthem.
Ħares, Mulej, kif dejjem Int ħarist: (2) Ftakar li lilha bil-oħla dawl libbist.
These hymns are frequently used in many parishes during morning and evening masses, and are used for solemnities in the Maltese translation of the Liturgy of the Hours.
(René M. Micallef, 2017) Agħti tiegħek dan il-jum: Lejk nittajjar bil-ħsieb tiegħi Kull filgħodu malli nqum.
Fix-xemx jiddi l-ġmiel ta’ wiċċek, Inti ssebbaħ il-ħolqien; Isellmulek l-art u s-sema Kull filgħodu bl-ogħla lsien.
As a father crazed with love, you Heard the beatings of my heart: You've thrust power in my bosom Every time a breath would start.
Tini l-Omm tal-Iben tiegħek Biex tħarisni mit-tiġrib, U tgħallimni b’imħabbitha Kif inħaddan is-salib.
[R.] Inti, li dejjem tgħammar, Fis-sebħ ta’ jum bla tmiem, Fid-dlam tal-lejl ħarisna, Xerred ġo qlubna s-sliem.
Soon will the stars show their face Filling the heavens up high, Soon will the living retire, Silence: when all noises die.
[R.] Thou, who the glorious dawn, Dwellest, of nev'rending Day: Shelter us when falls the night, Peace in our hearts, sweetly lay.
Stars will soon make their entrance Filling, up high, the skies, Soon will the living slumber, All noise is hushed, and dies.
Kollox mit-tieba tiegħek, Għax int Missier ħanin, Li trid il-ħlejjaq kollha Bi mħabbtek biss henjin.
Iġbed bil-ħlewwa l-midneb, Li regħxek mingħajr jedd, Tħalli lil ħadd fil-biża’, Tal-ħaqq imur jimtedd.
Sweetly draw sinners to thee, Though they have reddened thy face Let no one lie down in fear, Biding chastisement, but grace.
Your name gently rises, its beauty rings out, The word ushers forth from our hearts, beating strongly: We hope so to laud you, a pray'r on our mouth.
Unfurled as a rainbow on all humankind, You've opened, o Mary, the wellsprings of mercy For our troubled brethren, those guilty and blind.