Veni Sancte Spiritus

The Pentecost Sequence, also called the Golden Sequence, is attributed to Cardinal Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury (13th c.). Sung at the Mass of the Day of Pentecost, before the Gospel. Distinct from the Veni Creator: that is a hymn, this is a sequence (poetic chant between the Alleluia and the Gospel).

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 labour, 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, man has nought,
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.