Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Ghost)

Also known as the Golden Sequence, Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Ghost) is a medieval poem with an ethereal beauty. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest compositions of sacred Latin poetry and it attributed typically to either Pope Innocent III (1161-1216) or Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury (d 1228). It is traditionally sung during the Mass of Pentecost.

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 thoughts,
Nothing free form 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.