Pentecost Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus

This sequence is sung just before the Gospel on the feast of Pentecost. It is generally attributed to Pope Innocent III (1161-1216) and is a beautiful praise of the all-encompassing power and love of the Holy Spirit of God.




Come, Holy Spirit, come!
   And from your celestial home
   Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
   Come within our bosoms shine!

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
   Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat,
   Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
  And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
   Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
   Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
   Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
   In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
   Give them joys that never end.
   Amen. Alleluia