Hymn Of The Week: June 1, 2020

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire

Glory to God #278

Having celebrated Pentecost yesterday, I thought this ancient and still relevant hymn would be a wonderful way to look at this time of year and celebrate the birthday of the church.

The hymn Veni Creator Spiritus (as it is known by Latin title) has been a staple for worship in our faith for centuries. Tradition attributes the authorship of its original Latin text to Rabanus Maurus, the abbot of Fulda and archbishop of Mainz in the 9th century AD.

This hymn is sung or spoken at Pentecost and throughout the year at Vespers, and at such solemn occasions as dedications of churches and ordinations of priests. It makes a moving plea for help and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy the two links below.  One is of the chant and the second is Maurice Duruflé’s organ toccata on the chant

Come, Holy Spirit, 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,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father,
Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense 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 peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, 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.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.