Veni Sancte Spiritus

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. Most of us know the story of the Disciples gathered behind locked doors, hiding out of fear of the Jews and Christ appearing in their midst. He greets them, “Peace be with you,” and breathes on them to “receive the Holy Spirit”. Words that have been echoed in our Catholic Tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says "Knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindle faith in us." (CCC, 683).  Our faith is intertwined with the Trinity, God in Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father gave us the Son, who taught us how to love both others and our Father in Heaven, as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit fills us and we are able to understand both God the Father and God the Son, as the Catechism explains. 

Pentecost is a day to celebrate the Holy Spirit and rejoice at the beautiful gift it is within our lives. In the Liturgical Readings for this Sunday, you will find the Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus. If you are unfamiliar with that term, a Sequence is a hymn of joy in varying meter that is sung or recited before the Gospel at Mass on certain feast days. The words of the Sequence are a reflection, a calling from our souls, and a meditation on the Third Person of the Trinity. Our Catholic faith offers so many beautiful prayers and the opportunity to grow in our faith in a variety of ways. Once again we can turn to the Catechism for help in understanding the Holy Spirit and our prayer lives.

“2644 The Holy Spirit who teaches the Church and recalls to her all that Jesus said also instructs her in the life of prayer, inspiring new expressions of the same basic forms of prayer: blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.

2645 Because God blesses the human heart, it can in return bless him who is the source of every blessing.

2646 Forgiveness, the quest for the Kingdom, and every true need are objects of the prayer of petition.

2647 Prayer of intercession consists in asking on behalf of another. It knows no boundaries and extends to one's enemies.

2648 Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one's whole life: "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5:18).

2649 Prayer of praise is entirely disinterested and rises to God, lauds him, and gives him glory for his own sake, quite beyond what he has done, but simply because HE IS.”

This weekend as we celebrate Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us remember we are not alone. We are blessed to be filled by the Holy Spirit and that it fills every inch of our souls in an almost incomprehensible way. We are loved, cherished children of God. A God who loved us so much that He not only sent his Son, but the Spirit and He wants us to recognize the Spirit’s opportunity for guidance and healing in our lives. 

To close, I've shared a beautiful version of Venti, Sancte Spiritus sung by the Benedictines Of Mary, Queen Of Apostles below, as well as including the English translation. I encourage you to take some time to reflect and pray through the text. How might the Spirit be moving in your life? How can the Holy Spirit guide us as we enter into the next season of our lives? 

Click the hyperlink below to listen:

Veni Sancte Spiritus · Benedictines Of Mary, Queen Of Apostles

Veni Sancte Spiritus

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 labor, 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, we have naught,

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.