Veni Sancte Spiritus

Veni Sancte Spiritus (“Come, Holy Spirit”), sometimes called the “Golden Sequence” (Latin: Sequentia Aurea) is a sequence sung in honour of God the Holy Spirit, prescribed in the Roman Rite for the Masses of Pentecost Sunday.

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.

Heal our wounds; our strength renew; On our dryness pour Thy 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.

O Thou Light, most pure and blest, Shine within the inmost breast Of Thy faithful company.

Where Thou art not, man hath nought; Every holy deed and thought Comes from Thy divinity.

Here Thy grace and virtue send: Grant salvation to the end, And in Heav’n felicity.

The 2004 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum grants a partial indulgence to those who recite the sequence at sunrise or sunset; at the beginning or conclusion of one’s workday; and before or after meals.

[6] The sequence was set to music by a number of composers, especially during the Renaissance, including Dufay, Josquin, Willaert, Palestrina, John Dunstaple, Lassus, Victoria, and Byrd.

Later composers who have set the text include Arvo Pärt, Morten Lauridsen, Frank La Rocca, George Fenton, and Samuel Webbe.