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Veni Creator Spiritus

Pentecost Hymn

Veni Creator Spiritus (“Come Creator Spirit”) is a hymn sung during Pentecost.

Dom Guéranger says that the hymn was written in the 9th century and, according to tradition, was composed by Charlemagne. (1) "Sublimity and unction are the characteristics of this beautiful hymn, which is ever new and exhaustible."(2)

He gives this direction to the faithful:

"During the chant of this soul-stirring hymn, the faithful should fervently adore the Holy Spirit, and invite Him to enter into their hearts. At this very hour, He is filling our churches with His invisible presence, and, if there be no obstacle on our part, He will take possession of our souls. Let us acknowledge to Him the need we have of His visit; let us importune Him to take up His new abode within us, now and for ever.

"We are His own possession; may He bestow upon us the graces we are now going to pray for! Let us be sincere in our petition: Let us remember that, in order to receive the Holy Ghost and keep Him within us, we must renounce the spirit of the world, for our Savior has said: 'No man can serve two masters' (Mt 6:24)."(3)

Veni Creator Spiritus is here interpreted by
the Schola Cantorum of Amsterdam Students.




Listen to Veni Creator Spiritus


Lyrics:

Latin text

1. Veni, Creator Spiritus,
Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
Altissimi donum Dei,
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
Digitus Paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
Infunde amorem cordibus,
Infirma nostri corporis
Virtute firmans perpeti.

5. Hostem repellas longius,
Pacemque dones protinus:
Ductore sic te praevio,
Vitemus omne noxium.

6. Per te sciamus, da, Patrem,
Noscamus atque Filium,
Te utriusque Spiritum
Credamus omni tempore.

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

English translation:

1. Come Creator Spirit,
Visit the souls of thy people,
Fill with grace from on high
The hearts which thou hast created.

2. Thou who art called the Comforter,
Gift of the most high God,
Living fount, fire, love
And unction of souls.

3. Sevenfold in thy gifts,
Finger of the Father’s right hand,
Thou promised truly by the Father,
Giving speech to tongues.

4. Inflame our senses with thy light,
Pour thy love into our hearts,
Strengthen our weak bodies
With lasting strength.

5. Drive far away the enemy,
Grant peace at all times;
So under thy guidance
We may avoid all evil.

6. Grant us by Thee to know the Father
And to know the Son;
And in Thee, Spirit of both,
May we always believe.

7. Glory be to God the Father,
To the Son, who from the dead
Rose, and to the Comforter,
For all ages.




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Dominus Jesus


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  1. Dom Guéranger, The Liturgical Year, Loreto Publications, 2000, vol. 9, p. 295.
  2. Ibid., p. 318.
  3. Ibid., p. 295-296.




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