Letters from the week of 21 - 27 May 2018

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Apropos of Trinity Sunday...

You wanted letters—here's a long one. My translation includes all the wonderful analogies and images that are omitted in the Hymnal. And it's a rhymed translation so it works as a hymn. (P.S. It is free for anyone to use—e.g., at ordinations.)

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, O Holy Spirit, come!
Come, O Ray of heaven’s Sun:
Shine on us your heav’nly Light.

Father of the poor in need,
Giver of the heav’nly meed,
Shine in ev’ry heart upright.

Come, great Comforter, console;
Come, sweet Guest of ev’ry soul,
Sweet Refreshment and Delight!

From our labor, give us ease;
In the heat, a temp’ring breeze;
Solace, when in woeful plight.

Blessèd Spirit, holy Fire,
Fill our souls, our hearts inspire,
And our faithful love requite.

If you do not with us dwell,
We are but an empty shell;
Nothing earthly goes aright.

Wash our sinful stain away;
Turn back who has gone astray;
Raise those fallen in the fight.

Bend the rigid; warm the cold;
Lead the young; protect the old;
Guide the wayward with your might.

To your people who adore
and acclaim you ever more
Grant your sev’n-fold gift outright.

Give your grace to virtue’s own:
Raise us fin’lly to God’s throne;
Grant us joy in heaven’s height.

Latin: 12th century; tr. John-Julian, OJN, 1992

Fr. John-Julian, OJN
The Order of Julian of Norwich
Hartland, Wisconsin USA
johnjulianojn@sbcglobal.net
23 May 2018

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.