Monday, October 17, 2005

Pentecost sequence

During the time of prayer last night, we prayed the Pentecost sequence, which is attributed to Pope Innocent III. I'll reprint it here:

Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From Thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure, beaming radiance give:

Come, O Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, O light of all that live!

Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Doth refreshing peace bestow:

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

Light immortal! Light divine!
Visit now these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.

If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.

Heal our wounds -- our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend stubborn heart and will;
Melt frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

Thou on those who evermore
Thee confess and you adore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend.

Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.

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