"I will go in unto the Altar of God
To God, Who giveth joy to my youth"
Tridentine Community News (November 25, 2012):
The Veni Creátor: The Church’s Prayer to the Holy Ghost
Following up on our discussion two weeks ago of the Te Deum, the Church’s prayer of thanksgiving, today we present its sister prayer, the Veni Creátor, a hymn to the Holy Ghost. Once again we provide for your comparison two approved English versions, one traditional and one modern, the former quite clearly more faithful to the Latin original. The Veni Creátor is sung at Windsor’s Assumption Church on January 1 and on the Feast of Pentecost. Its public recitation or singing on those days is enriched with a Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions. Praying it on other days is enriched with a Partial Indulgence.
Veni Creátor [Original Latin]Veni Creátor [1913 Blessed Sacrament Prayerbook translation]Veni, Creátor Spíritus,
Mentes tuórum vísita,
Imple supérna grátia,
Quæ tu creásti péctora.
Qui dicéris Paráclitus,
Altíssimi donum Dei,
Fons vivus, ignis, cáritas,
Et spiritális únctio.
Tu septifórmis múnere,
Dígitus Patérnæ déxteræ,
Tu rite promíssum Patris,
Sermóne ditans gúttura.
Accénde lumen sénsibus,
Infúnde amórem córdibus,
Infírma nostri córporis
Virtúte firmans pérpeti.
Hostem repéllas lóngius,
Pacémque dones prótinus;
Ductóre sic Te praévio,
Vitémus omne nóxium.
Per Te sciámus da Patrem
Noscámus atque Fílium,
Teque utriúsque Spíritum,
Credámus omni témpore.
Deo Patri sit glória,
Et Fílio, qui a mórtuis
Surréxit, ac Paráclito,
In sæculórum saécula. Amen.Veni Creátor [1991 Handbook of Indulgences translation]Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,
From Thy bright heavenly throne;
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all Thine own.
Thou Who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above;
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love
Thou, Who art sevenfold in Thy grace,
Finger of God’s right hand,
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand.
Oh! guide our minds with Thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame,
And with Thy strength, which ne’er decays,
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our hellish foe,
True peace unto us bring;
And through all perils lead us safe
Beneath Thy sacred wing.
Through Thee may we the Father know,
Through Thee, the eternal Son,
And Thee, the Spirit of them both –
Thrice-blessed three in one.
All glory to the Father be,
And to His risen Son,
The like to Thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.Tridentine Masses This Coming WeekO Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Life rises vibrant out of death;
Come to create, renew, inspire;
Come, kindle in our hearts your fire.
You are the seeker’s sure resource,
Of burning love the living source,
Protector in the midst of strife,
The giver and the Lord of life.
In you God’s energy is shown,
To us your varied gifts made known.
Teach us to speak, teach us to hear;
Yours is the tongue and yours the ear.
Flood our dull senses with your light;
In mutual love our hearts unite.
Your power the whole creation fills;
Confirm our weak, uncertain wills.
From inner strife grant us release;
Turn nations to the ways of peace.
To fuller life your people bring
That as one body we may sing:
Praise to the Father, Christ, his Word,
And to the Spirit: God the Lord,
To whom all honor, glory be,
Both now and for eternity. Amen.
- Mon. 11/26 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (St. Sylvester, Abbot)
- Tue. 11/27 7:00 PM: High Mass at Assumption-Windsor (Daily Mass for the Dead) [High Requiem Mass with Choir]
- Fri. 11/30 7:00 PM: High Mass at St. Francis Xavier, Tilbury (St. Andrew, Apostle)
- Fri. 11/30 7:30 PM: High Mass at Resurrection Parish, Lansing (St. Andrew, Apostle)
I much prefer the 1913 translation. The 1991 translation's use of words like "vibrant" and "energy" sound all-too reminiscent of the 60's and 70's. The earlier translation is faithful, yet much more dignified and worthy.
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