Veni, Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit)

Also known as: Come Creator Spirit Veni Creator Come, Creator Spirit

English Text

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 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 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.

Translation tradition: Traditional English (Edward Caswall, 1849)

Latin Text

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, dextrae Dei tu digitus, tu rite promissum Patris, sermonem 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.

Scripture: John 14:16–17; Acts 2:1–4

When to pray: Pentecost; ordinations; Confirmation; opening of important meetings or councils; Terce on Sundays.

History & Background