The hymn the Church sings whenever she needs the Holy Spirit to act.
The Church’s oldest and most used invocation of the Holy Spirit.
When: At Pentecost, at ordinations, at confirmations, at the opening of a council or a conclave, and at the start of anything that will need more than your own strength.
Why: It asks for the one thing no plan can supply. A household that sings it before a decision is admitting the decision is not theirs alone.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up thy rest; come with thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which thou hast made.
O Comforter, to thee we cry, thou heavenly gift of God most high, thou fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.
O 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 the foe we dread, and grant us thy true peace instead; so shall we not, with thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside.
V. Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created,
R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.