Come, Creator Spirit
Come, Creator Spirit, come,
visit the minds of those who are yours;
fill with grace from on high
the hearts that you have made.
You are called the Comforter,
gift of God most high,
living spring, fire and love,
and the soul's anointing.
You are sevenfold in your gifts,
the finger of the Father's right hand,
the Father's promised one,
who gives our lips their words.
Kindle a light in our senses,
pour love into our hearts,
and make our body's weakness
strong with your lasting strength.
Drive the enemy far from us
and give us peace without delay;
with you as our guide going before us,
may we avoid all harm.
Through you may we know the Father
and come to know the Son,
and may we believe in you, the Spirit of them both,
at every moment of our lives.
Glory to God the Father,
and to the Son, who rose from the dead,
and to the Comforter,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Text: our own text or translation, written for Verso.
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,
teque utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio, qui a mortuis
surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula. Amen.
About this prayer
A Latin hymn to the Holy Spirit from the ninth century, often attributed to Rabanus Maurus, abbot of Fulda, though this is not certain. It is sung at Pentecost, at ordinations and confirmations, and at the opening of solemn gatherings such as the conclave that elects a pope. English and Spanish are our translations.