As an invocation of the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator Spiritus is sung in the Catholic Church during liturgical celebrations on the feast of Pentecost, at both Terce and Vespers.

It is also sung at occasions such as the College of Cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel during a papal conclave, the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, the profession of members of religious institutes, administering the sacrament of Confirmation, the dedication of churches, the convening of synods or councils, the coronation of monarchs, the Red Mass starting the judicial year, and the beginning of other similar solemn events.

Original text[3] Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita, Imple superna gratia, Quae tu creasti pectora.

1632 revision[3] Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita, Imple superna gratia, Quae tu creasti pectora.

Per te sciamus da Patrem, Noscamus atque Filium; Teque utriusque Spiritum Credamus omni tempore.

English translation[4] Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, Vouchsafe within our souls to rest; Come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

The sev'n-fold gifts of grace are Thine, O Finger of the Hand Divine; True Promise of the Father Thou, Who dost the tongue with speech endow.

Drive far away our wily Foe, And Thine abiding peace bestow; If Thou be our protecting Guide, No evil can our steps betide.

The version included in the 1662 revision of the Book of Common Prayer compressed the content of the original seven verses into four (with a two-line doxology), but retained the Latin title.

It has six-line verses and hence must be sung to a hymn tune in 88 88 88 meter, such as "Melita" by John Bacchus Dykes,[13] or else adapted in part to the CM with alleluias of "Lasst uns erfreuen".

[15] Heinrich Bone published his own German paraphrase in 1845, "Komm, Schöpfer Geist, kehr bei uns ein" (literally: Come, Creator Spirit, visit us), also using an adaptation of the plainchant melody.

A rhymed German translation or paraphrase, "Komm, Heiliger Geist, der Leben schafft" (literally: Come, Holy Spirit who creates life), was written by Friedrich Dörr to a melody close to the Gregorian chant, published in 1972.