from an article by Msgr. Charles Pope:
View original article on his blog.

 

Pentecost Sequence Hymn – Veni Sancte Spiritus

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

There are several Feasts of the Church wherein a “sequence” hymn may be sung. The sequence hymn is sung Just before the the Alleluia (Gospel acclamation). The feasts with sequence hymns are these:

  • Easter – Victimae Paschali Laudes (To the Paschal Victim give praise)
  • Pentecost – Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)
  • Corpus Christi – Lauda Sion (Praise O Sion)
  • Our Lady of Sorrows – Stabat Mater (Stood the Mother sad and weeping)
  • All Souls – Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)

Since today is Pentecost we ought to sample the sequence hymn for today: Veni Sancte Spiritus. Here is the Latin text and a translation (fairly literal) of my own.

 

VENI, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum
veni, lumen cordium.

Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.

In labore requies,
in aestu temperies
in fletu solatium.

O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
tuorum fidelium.

Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.

Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.

Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.

Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.

Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium,
Amen, Alleluia.

COME, Holy Spirit,
send forth from heaven
the rays of thy light

Come, Father of the poor;
Come, giver of gifts,
Come, light of [our] hearts.

Oh best Comforter,
Sweet guest of the soul,
Sweet refreshment.

In Labor rest
in the heat, moderation;
in tears, solace.

O most blessed Light
fill the inmost heart
of thy faithful.

Without your spirit,
nothing is in man,
nothing that is harmless

Wash that which is sordid
water that which is dry,
heal that which is wounded.

Make flexible that which is rigid,
warm that which is cold,
rule that which is deviant.

Give to thy faithful,
who trust in thee
the sevenfold gifts.

Grant to us the merit of virtue,
Grant salvation at our going forth,
Grant eternal joy.
Amen. Alleluia.

 
Here is the trational Gregorian Chant of this sequence: