Veni Creator Spiritus

"Come, Spirit of Creation"

For Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit
and employed at events signifying a new beginning such as first Communion, Ordination of Priests, Consecration of Bishops, profession of first vows, consecration of churches, etc., and as a Processional, for example, by the Cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

The Latin Hymn is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (780-856) circa 809, and said to be one of the most widely sung hymns in the Christian Church. An outstanding scholar, Maurus was Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda and Archbishop of Mainz.
There are over 50 translations into various languages including John Dryden, "Creator Spirit! by whose aid" (1609) and Martin Luther, "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" (1524).
When sung in Latin, it is usually done in Gregorian Chant. It is often sung at Vespers, but also at Lauds and Terce as well as other canonical hours. There are numerous examples on YouTube and elsewhere.

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,
Creddamus omni tempore.

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