Veni Creator Spiritus

Veni Creator Spiritus ("Come Creator Spirit") is a hymn believed to have been written by Rabanus Maurus in the 9th century. When the original Latin text is used, it is normally sung in Gregorian Chant. As an invocation of the Holy Spirit, in the practice of the Roman Catholic Church it is sung during the liturgical celebration of the feast of Pentecost (at both Terce and Vespers). It is also sung at occasions such as the entrance of Cardinals to the Sistine Chapel, when electing a new pope, as well as at the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, when celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation, the dedication of churches, the celebration of synods or councils, the coronation of kings, the profession of members of religious institutes and other similar solemn events.

The hymn is also widely used in the Anglican Communion and appears, for example, in the Ordering of Priests and in the Consecration of Bishops in the Book of Common Prayer, 1662. It has been translated into several languages; one English example is Creator Spirit! by whose aid, written 1690 by John Dryden and published in The Church Hymn book 1872 (n. 313). Martin Luther used it as the basis for his chorale for Pentecost "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist", first published in 1524.

First verse of Veni, Creator Spiritus

^[1] incorporates the first two lines of this hymn along with the text from Veni Sancte Spiritus in a 21st-century setting for choir.

Text

Notable English translations

Since the English Reformation in the 16th century, there have been more than fifty English language translations and paraphrases of Veni Creator Spiritus.^[3] The version included in the 1662 revision of the Book of Common Prayer retained the Latin title and was written by Bishop John Cosin for the coronation of King Charles I of Great Britain in 1625.^[4] The same words have been used at every coronation since, and is sung by the choir after the singing of the Creed, while the sovereign is dressed in a white alb and seated in the Coronation Chair, prior to the Anointing.^[5] The first verse is:

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

and lighten with celestial fire.

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Another well known version by the poet John Dryden was first published in his 1693 work, Examen Poeticum. It may be sung to the tune "Melita" by John Bacchus Dykes.^[6] Dryden's first verse is:

Creator Spirit, by whose aid

The world's foundations first were laid,

Come, visit every pious mind;

Come, pour thy joys on humankind;

From sin and sorrow set us free,

And make thy temples worthy thee.

See also

• List of papal conclaves
• Veni Sancte Spiritus

References

• ^ Michael John Trotta's setting
• ^ ^{a b} "Mass and Rite of Canonisation" (PDF). vatican.va. Retrieved 18 October 2015. 
• ^ Charles S. Nutter & Wilbur F. Tillett, The Hymns and Hymn Writers of The Church, Smith & Lamar, 1911 (p.108)
• ^ Reverend Ivan D. Aquilina, The Eucharistic Understanding of John Cosin and his Contribution to the 1662 Book Of Common Prayer (p.6)
• ^ http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/royals/coronations/guide-to-the-coronation-service
• ^ Hymnary.org - "Creator Spirit by whose aid"
• Pastoral Commentary by Pope John Paul II

Roman Catholic prayer Note: Prayers in italics are normally indulgenced. Prayers of the Mass Agnus Dei Apostles' Creed Confiteor Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria Patri Kyrie Eleison Litany of the Saints Niceno-Constantinopolitan (Nicene) Creed Pater Noster Sanctus Signum Crucis Marian prayers Alma Redemptoris Mater Angelus Ave Maria Ave Maris Stella Ave Regina Caelorum Fatima Prayer Magnificat Memorare Regina Coeli Rosary Salve Regina Sub Tuum Praesidium Three Hail Marys Litany Loreto Other prayers Act of Contrition Adoro te devote Angele Dei Anima Christi Athanasian Creed Ave Verum Corpus Benedictus Come, Holy Spirit Jesus Prayer Mental prayer Laudes Divinae Morning offering Nunc Dimittis O Salutaris Hostia Penitential Psalms Miserere mei De Profundis Prayer before a Crucifix Prayer of Saint Francis Prayer to Saint Michael Requiem Aeternam Spiritual Communion Tantum Ergo Te Deum Thanksgiving after Communion Veni Creator Spiritus Veni Sancte Spiritus Visit to the Blessed Sacrament Way of the Cross Category Portal