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Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

Veni, Creator Spiritus

“Veni Creator Spiritus” is an ancient Latin hymn to the Holy Spirit, traditionally linked to Rabanus Maurus, a ninth-century monk and archbishop. Edward Caswall’s English translation became a familiar form in Catholic prayer books and hymnals. Catholics sing or recite it at Pentecost and whenever they seek the Holy Spirit’s light, strength, peace, and guidance. It also has a solemn place at confirmations, ordinations, religious professions, councils, and the opening of a papal conclave. Its seven stanzas praise the Spirit as Creator, Comforter, divine gift, living fountain, fire, and anointing. The concluding versicle and collect ask for wisdom and lasting joy in the Spirit’s consolation.

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And in our souls take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heavenly Gift of God Most High, Thou Fount of life and Fire of love, And sweet Anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known; Thou, Finger of God’s hand, we own; Thou, Promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power endow. Kindle our senses from above, And make our hearts o’erflow with love; With patience firm and virtue high The weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, And grant us Thy true peace instead; So shall we not, with Thee for guide, Turn from the path of life aside. O may Thy grace on us bestow The Father and the Son to know; And Thee, through endless times confessed, Of both the eternal Spirit blest. All glory while the ages run Be to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death; the same to Thee, O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Latin

Veni, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gratia, quae tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus, Altissimi donum Dei, fons vivus, ignis, caritas, et spiritalis unctio. Tu septiformis munere, digitus paternae dexterae, tu rite promissum Patris, sermone ditans guttura. Accende lumen sensibus, infunde amorem cordibus, infirma nostri corporis virtute firmans perpeti. Hostem repellas longius pacemque dones protinus; ductore sic te praevio vitemus omne noxium. Per te sciamus da Patrem, noscamus atque Filium, te utriusque Spiritum credamus omni tempore. Deo Patri sit gloria, et Filio, qui a mortuis surrexit, ac Paraclito, in saeculorum saecula. Amen. V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur. R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. Oremus. Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

When to pray it: Pray this hymn at Pentecost, before important undertakings, or whenever you seek the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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