The Pentecost sequence

Like Easter Sunday (and throughout the Octave of Easter), the Mass for Pentecost includes a hymn called a sequence that is supposed to be sung after the second reading and before the Alleluia. Some parishes have the lector simply read the sequence, and some perhaps omit it altogether (although I'm pretty sure it's required), but the sequence is really meant to be sung. If your parish has a choir with the ability to handle Latin chants, there are some beautiful chanted versions of the Pentecost Sequence; but many prefer to sing it as a hymn with the whole congregation joining in. Like the Easter Sequence, many hymns have been written to adapt this sequence to allow for congregational singing. Probably the best known of these is "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest," but your music director may opt to use a different one.

The Pentecost Sequence is Veni Sancte Spiritus, which dates back to at least the 12th century and perhaps slightly earlier. The hymn has been attributed to three different authors, King Robert II the Pious of France (970-1031), Pope Innocent III (1161-1216), and Stephen Langton (d 1228), Archbishop of Canterbury; most scholars seem to believe the last one is most likely the author. Below is the Latin version, followed by an English translation.

In Latin:
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.

Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.

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.


English:
Come Holy Ghost,
send down those beams,
which sweetly flow in silent streams
from Thy bright throne above.

O come, Thou Father of the poor;
O come, Thou source of all our store,
come, fill our hearts with love.

O Thou, of comforters the best,
O Thou, the soul's delightful guest,
the pilgrim's sweet relief.

Rest art Thou in our toil, most sweet
refreshment in the noonday heat;
and solace in our grief.

O blessed Light of life Thou art;
fill with Thy light the inmost heart
of those who hope in Thee.

Without Thy Godhead nothing can,
have any price or worth in man,
nothing can harmless be.

Lord, wash our sinful stains away,
refresh from heaven our barren clay,
our wounds and bruises heal.

To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow,
warm with Thy fire our hearts of snow,
our wandering feet recall.

Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord,
whose only hope is Thy sure word,
the sevenfold gifts of grace.

Grant us in life Thy grace that we,
in peace may die and ever be,
in joy before Thy face.
Amen. Alleluia.