Veni Creator Spiritus

True prayer, by definition, comes from the heart. Many Christians think that praying extemporaneously and spontaneously is the best, most spiritual way to pray, but oftentimes my own prayers seem woefully inadequate. Ancient prayers often say what I want to say better than any words I myself can conjure.

"Veni Creator Spiritus" is a beautiful prayer that does that for me. It addresses the Holy Spirit, reminding us that He is present with us and in us to inspire and empower us to live close to the heart of the Father and to live a life worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus. The Hymns of the Christian Church, published in the Harvard Classic series, attributes the original Latin prayer to Charlemagne, and the English translation to John Dryden.

CREATOR SPIRIT, by whose aid
The world’s foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every pious mind;
Come, pour thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee.

O source of uncreated light,
The Father’s promised Paraclete,
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy sacred unction bring
To sanctify us while we sing.

Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy sevenfold energy;
Thou strength of his almighty hand,
Whose power does heaven and earth command,
Proceeding Spirit, our defence,
Who dost the gift of tongues dispense,
And crown’st thy gift with eloquence.

Refine and purge our earthy parts,
But O, inflame and fire our hearts,
Our frailties help, our vice control;
Submit the senses to the soul,
And, when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.

Chase from our minds the infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And, lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way;

Make us eternal truths receive
And practise all that we believe
Give us thyself, that we may see
The Father and the Son by thee.

Immortal honour, endless fame,
Attend the Almighty Father’s name:
The Saviour Son be glorified,
Who for lost man’s redemption died;
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to thee.

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart!

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Our daughter selected this hymn to be sung at her wedding this past week. It is a statement that her groom is not the only love of her life. Christ the bridegroom ever seeks to be the love of every heart.

If I do say so myself, it was a beautiful wedding. The young couple were so in love and so joyful, it was a precious and holy sight to behold. I am blessed to be the mother of such a lovely young woman of God and to be the mother-in-love of a new son, one who has already deeply enriched our lives by his love for our daugher, his faith in God, his love of the truth, and his determination to follow God in every aspect of his life.